METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING ACCESS TO AN INTRAMEDULLARY CANAL OF A FEMUR THROUGH A FEMORAL KNEE JOINT PROSTHESIS

摘要

A method and apparatus for enabling access to an intramedullary canal of a femur (14) through a femoral knee joint prosthesis (10) includes a first condylar portion (32) and a second condylar portion (34). The first condylar portion (32) has a first femoral bearing surface (36) and the second condylar portion (34) has a second femoral bearing surface (38). An intercondylar portion (40) extends between the first condylar portion (32) and the second condylar portion (34) and defines an opening (56) passing therethrough. A seal member (66) is operable to substantially seal the opening (66) such that the seal member is further operable to be opened to enable access to the intramedullary canal of the femur (14) without having to remove the femoral knee joint prosthesis (10) from the femur (14). A method for enabling access to the intramedullary canal of the femur (14) through the femoral knee joint prosthesis (10) is also provided.