External load bearing distracting device for an articulating anatomical joint

An external load bearing distracting device for an articulating anatomical joint comprising:

• a first rotatable threaded rod;
• a second rotatable threaded rod;
• a rotating joint joining the first and second rotatable threaded rods;
• a first translational tube having one or more clamps mounted thereto, the clamps having transverse pins or screws extending therefrom, the first translational tube being axially slidably fitted onto the first rotatable threaded rod;
• a second translational tube having one or more clamps mounted thereto, the clamps having transverse pins or screws extending therefrom, the second translational tube being axially slidably fitted onto the second rotatable threaded rod;
• a first adjustment nut provided on the first rotatable threaded rod, the first adjustment nut having locking means for retaining the first adjustment nut in a fixed position on the first rotatable threaded rod;
• a second adjustment nut provided on the second rotatable threaded rod, the second adjustment nut having locking means for retaining the second adjustment nut in a fixed position on the second rotatable threaded rod;
• the first adjustment nut being positioned between the rotating joint and a proximal end of the first translational tube such that a longitudinal displacement of the first translational tube is limited by a contact between the first adjustment nut and the proximal end of the first translational tube;
• the second adjustment nut being positioned between the rotating joint and a proximal end of the second translational tube such that a longitudinal displacement of the second translational tube is limited by a contact between the second adjustment nut and the proximal end of the second translational tube.

A method of implanting an external load bearing distracting device for an articulating anatomical joint comprising the steps of:

• providing the external load bearing distracting device having a rotating joint with a first rod extending upwardly therefrom and a first translational tube slidably mounted thereon and a second rod extending downwardly therefrom and a second translational tube slidably mounted thereon, the first rod having an axially movable first adjustment nut fitted thereto and the second rod having a second adjustment nut fitted thereto;
• determining a center of rotation of a flexion-extension axis of the articulating anatomical joint and positioning a first Kirschner wire in a bone of a first anatomical member of the articulating anatomical joint in the center of rotation of the flexion-extension axis of the articulating anatomical joint;
• positioning the distracting device, along a medial side of the articulating anatomical joint, using the first Kirschner wire and a bore provided at a center of rotation of a rotating joint of the distracting device to position a mediolateral axis of rotation of the rotating joint of the distracting device to be aligned with the flexion-extension axis of the articulating anatomical joint;
• inserting pins or screws transversely into the bone of the first anatomical member and into a bone of a second anatomical member of the articulating anatomical joint;
• fixing the pins or screws to the external load bearing distracting device by positioning and locking the pins or screws in a plurality of clamps on the first translational tube and the second translational tube of the distracting device;
• positioning the first and second adjustment clamping nuts to provide a longitudinal displacement of the first translational tube and the second translational tube to desired longitudinal positions in relation to the center of rotation of the flexion-extension axis of the articulating anatomical joint;
• and
• securing the first and second adjustment clamping nuts in position on the first and second rods of the distracting device.

A method of distracting an articulating anatomical joint comprising the steps of:

• anchoring a distracting device having a rotating joint with a first rod extending upwardly therefrom and a first translational tube slidably mounted thereon and a second rod extending downwardly therefrom and a second translational tube slidably mounted thereon, the first rod having an axially movable first adjustment nut fitted thereto and the second rod having a second adjustment nut fitted thereto, to bone at a medial or lateral side of the articulating anatomical joint, or simultaneously on both medial and lateral sides of the articulating anatomical joint;
• distracting surfaces of a medial compartment of the articulating anatomical joint by turning the first and second adjustment nuts thereby providing a longitudinal displacement of the first translational tube and the second translational tube to a desired longitudinal position in relation to a flexion-extension axis of rotation of the articulating anatomical joint;
• and
• securing the adjustment nuts in position on the first and second rods of the distracting device.