An inserter instrument for inserting an intervertebral fusion cage having curved sidewalls, comprising: a) a threaded securement rod that mates with the cage via screw threads; b) a cannulated cage holder to receive the rod and hold the cage in position as the sheath is retracted; and c) a bulleted cannulated sheath,
wherein the sheath is curved and comprises a superelastic shape memory material having a curved configuration and a straight configuration.

An orthopaedic fixation assembly for prosthetic biologic attachment. The orthopaedic fixation assembly may include a main body with a longitudinally-extending stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a cavity body. An anchor plug may be configured to be received within the stem cavity, and securable thereto via complementary mating surfaces. A spindle structure may be fixedly attached to the proximal end of the longitudinally-extending stem and protrude outwardly therefrom such that a portion of the structure extends externally beyond the resected cavity of the bone that may prevent rotational motion of the spindle. The spindle structure may have at least one compliant biasing member configured to apply a compressive force to the surrounding bone. A porous coating may be at the juncture between stem and spindle structure, on the spindle, and the splines and anti-rotation chocks, improving the initial stability of the implant and facilitating long-term bone ingrowth.

In general, scapular tethers and methods of using scapular tethers are provided. A tether is configured to be implanted in a body of a patient and to control movement of the patient's scapula. In an exemplary embodiment, the tether is configured to be attached to at least one body structure in a patient. The tether includes a flexible member configured to, when implanted in the patient, flex in response to movement of the patient's scapula accompanying arm movement of the patient.

A method of delivering a fusion cage to an intervertebral disc space bounded by adjacent vertebral endplates, comprising the step of delivering the fusion cage into the disc space without contacting its teeth to the vertebral endplates during delivery, wherein a sheath is interposed between a cage surface and the endplates to prevent contact therebetween during delivery.

A method of delivering a fusion cage to an intervertebral disc space bounded by adjacent vertebral endplates, comprising the step of delivering the fusion cage into the disc space without contacting its teeth to the vertebral endplates during delivery, wherein a sheath is interposed between a cage surface and the endplates to prevent contact therebetween during delivery.

An orthopaedic fixation assembly for prosthetic biologic attachment. The orthopaedic fixation assembly may include a main body with a longitudinally-extending stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a cavity body. An anchor plug may be configured to be received within the stem cavity, and securable thereto via complementary mating surfaces. A spindle structure may be fixedly attached to the proximal end of the longitudinally-extending stem and protrude outwardly therefrom such that a portion of the structure extends externally beyond the resected cavity of the bone that may prevent rotational motion of the spindle. The spindle structure may have at least one compliant biasing member configured to apply a compressive force to the surrounding bone. A porous coating may be at the juncture between stem and spindle structure, on the spindle, and the splines and anti-rotation chocks, improving the initial stability of the implant and facilitating long-term bone ingrowth.

An orthopaedic fixation assembly for prosthetic biologic attachment. The orthopaedic fixation assembly may include a main body with a longitudinally-extending stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a cavity body. An anchor plug may be configured to be received within the stem cavity, and securable thereto via complementary mating surfaces. A spindle structure may be fixedly attached to the proximal end of the longitudinally-extending stem and protrude outwardly therefrom such that a portion of the structure extends externally beyond the resected cavity of the bone that may prevent rotational motion of the spindle. The spindle structure may have at least one compliant biasing member configured to apply a compressive force to the surrounding bone. A porous coating may be at the juncture between stem and spindle structure, on the spindle, and the splines and anti-rotation chocks, improving the initial stability of the implant and facilitating long-term bone ingrowth.

A method of delivering a fusion cage to an intervertebral disc space bounded by adjacent vertebral endplates, comprising the step of delivering the fusion cage into the disc space without contacting its teeth to the vertebral endplates during delivery, wherein a sheath is interposed between a cage surface and the endplates to prevent contact therebetween during delivery.

In general, scapular tethers and methods of using scapular tethers are provided. A tether is configured to be implanted in a body of a patient and to control movement of the patient's scapula. In an exemplary embodiment, the tether is configured to be attached to at least one body structure in a patient. The tether includes a flexible member configured to, when implanted in the patient, flex in response to movement of the patient's scapula accompanying arm movement of the patient.

In general, scapular tethers and methods of using scapular tethers are provided. A tether is configured to be implanted in a body of a patient and to control movement of the patient's scapula. In an exemplary embodiment, the tether is configured to be attached to at least one body structure in a patient. The tether includes a flexible member configured to, when implanted in the patient, flex in response to movement of the patient's scapula accompanying arm movement of the patient.