METHOD AND KIT FOR INTERPOSITIONAL ARTHROPLASTY

摘要

A method and system for the creation or modification of the wear surface of orthopedic joints, involving the preparation and use of one or more partiall y or fully preformed components adapted for insertion and placement into the body and at the joint site. The system includes a method and related components and/or devices in the form of a kit that can be used to provide o r perform some or all of the steps of: a) preparing a joint to receive an implant, b) determining an appropriate implant size for a particular joint, c) determining an appropriate implant thickness, d) inserting the implant into the joint, and/or e) securing the implant within the joint to a desired extent. One or more of the various components and devices, including optionally one or more implants themselves, can be provided or packaged separately or in varying desired combinations and subcombinations to provide a kit of this invention. In turn, a kit can include, or be used in combination with, one or more corresponding devices or components that will already exis t in the surgical suite, and that can optionally be sterilized for re-use in subsequent procedures. The selection and use of components, devices and/or implants within a kit of this invention is facilitated by the coordination o f various features in the manner described, including appearance, size and configuration.