Methods of repairing a joint using a wedge-shaped implant

摘要

According to some embodiments, a method of treating a joint of a patient comprises creating a recess in a bone located at or near a targeted joint, wherein the recess includes a generally wedge or truncated cone shape. In one embodiment, the recess in a bone comprises a surface opening along an outer surface of the bone and a bottom opening along the distal end of the recess, such that a diameter of the surface opening is generally smaller than a diameter of the bottom opening. The method additionally comprises providing a joint implant having a wedge or truncated cone shape, wherein a diameter of a top end of the joint implant is generally smaller than a diameter of a bottom end of the joint implant, inserting the joint implant within the recess.

主权项

1. A method of treating a targeted joint, comprising:
creating a recess in a bone located at or near the targeted joint, the recess comprising a wedge shape, wherein creating the recess comprises creating a cylindrical opening in the bone and removing additional tissue along the cylindrical opening to create the wedge shape; wherein the recess in a bone comprises a surface opening along an outer surface of the bone, a bottom opening along the distal end of the recess and side walls generally extending between the surface opening and the bottom opening, wherein a diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the bottom opening is larger than a diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the surface opening to provide the wedge shape to the recess; radially compressing an implant having a wedge shape, the implant comprising a first end and a second end and a body extending between the first end and the second end, the second end being generally opposite of said first end; wherein when the implant is in a radially uncompressed state, a diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the first end is smaller than a diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the second end; while the implant is in a radially compressed state, inserting the implant within the recess, wherein the second end of the implant is inserted first within the recess; wherein the second end of the implant is adjacent the bottom opening of the recess, and wherein the first end of the implant is adjacent the surface opening of the recess when the implant is positioned within the recess; and releasing the implant from a radially compressed state to a less compressed state, when the implant is positioned within the recess; wherein, when the implant is in a less compressed state, the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the second end of the implant is larger than the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the surface opening of the recess; and wherein, when the implant is in a radially uncompressed state, the body of the implant imparts a radial force at least partially along the side walls of the recess, thereby securing the implant within the recess.