| 摘要 |
An implant for causing fusion of bones in an ankle is disclosed. The implant, in a preferred embodiment, is a cannulated screw with threads at the leading end and threads at the trailing end having a a tibial component that interacts with the tibia, a calcaneus component that interacts with the calcaneus and a midsection extending between the tibial component and the calcaneus component. The implant is placed in a borehole formed in the tibia, talus and calcaneus and causes the tibia and talus to be moved into compressive contact with each other. As a result, the ends of the tibia and talus that have previously had the cartilage removed down to bloody bone are coapted together to allow fusion. In another embodiment of the invention, a middle threaded portion is placed between the tibial component and the calcaneus component. The middle threaded portion interacts with the talus to help add compressive force to the fusion process. The invention also includes a method for using the implant to fuse the bones of the ankle together. The method includes steps of producing an implant and then using the implant to apply compressive forces on the bones of the ankle. The invention in one embodiment also includes a method that uses images such as x-ray images preoperatively to determine the length and width of the disclosed implant or any other implant with each patient's unique anatomy will properly allow coaption of the ends of the prepared tibia and talus at the ankle joint. The implant is inserted from the bottom of the foot through a predetermined hole in the calcaneus which extends through the talus into the diaphysis of the tibia. When properly inserted and seated in the bones, the implant is locked by screws.
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