LEG ALIGNMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

Leg alignment apparatus (12) for use in total arthroplasty of left and right knees (200), comprises an intramedullary rod (14), a femoral body (16) for location on or adjacent to an anterior surface of a femur (204), and a support element (26) which extends or is extendable from the femoral body (16) to the intramedullary rod (14) for holding the femoral body (16) stationary or substantially stationary relative to the intramedullary rod (14). A condylar locator (18) which is pivotable relative to the femoral body (16) and which is seatable on a distal end (206) of the femur (204) is also provided, along with a soft-tissue tensioning element (50) to apply a separation between the femur (204) and the tibia (216), and a varus/valgus indicator (22) to indicate an angular alignment of the knee (200) based on the intramedullary rod (14) and the soft-tissue tensioning element (50). A method of determining a distal end resection position for a femur (204) at a knee joint (214) is also provided.