Radial head implant apparatuses and methods

An implant for engaging a radius bone and a humerus bone, the implant comprising:

• (a) a head portion for articular engagement with a humerus bone;
• (b) a stem portion for engagement with a radius bone;
• and
• (c) an interconnector for connecting the head portion with the stem portion such that the head portion is axially movable relative to the stem portion and wherein the head portion can be locked in a plurality of positions relative to the stem portion.

A radial head implant for engaging a radius bone and a humerus bone, the radial head implant comprising:

• (a) a head portion comprising an outer shell and an inner insert fitted into the outer shell, the outer shell having an upper surface for articular engagement with a capitulum of a humerus bone, and the inner insert having a recessed area on a lower surface of the inner insert;
• (b) a stem portion for engagement with a radius bone, the stem portion comprising a collar at a proximal end of the stem portion and comprising an elongated portion below the collar, the stem portion defining an axial opening though a central axis of the stem portion;
• and
• (c) a shaft having an upper shaft portion with an upper end for fitting at least partially into the recessed area of the inner insert, and the shaft having a lower, elongated shaft portion for slidable engagement within the axial opening of the stem portion by the elongated shaft portion fitting into the axial opening of the stem portion whereby the elongated shaft portion is axially movable within the axial opening.

A method for engaging a radius bone and humerus bone with an implant, the method comprising:

• (a) providing an implant comprising:
• (i) a head portion comprising an upper surface for articular engagement with a humerus bone and a lower surface;
• (ii) a stem portion for engagement with a radius bone and defining an axial opening;
• and
• (iii) a shaft having an upper shaft portion for engagement with the lower surface of the head portion, the shaft having a lower, elongated shaft portion for slidable engagement with the stem portion by the elongated shaft portion fitting into the axial opening of the stem portion whereby the elongated shaft portion is axially movable within the axial opening of the stem portion;
• (b) engaging a radius bone with at least the stem portion of the implant;
• and
• (c) engaging a humerus bone with the upper surface of the head portion of the implant.

A method for implanting a radial head implant, the method comprising:

• (a) engaging a radius bone with a stem portion of a radial head implant;
• (b) axially moving a shaft within an axial opening of the stem portion to a desired axial position within the axial opening;
• and
• (c) locking the shaft within the desired axial position.

A method for implanting a radial head implant, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a radial head implant comprising:
• (i) a head portion for articular engagement with a humerus bone;
• (ii) a stem portion for engagement with a radius bone;
• and
• (iii) an interconnector for connecting the head portion with the stem portion such that the head portion is axially movable relative to the stem portion and wherein the head portion can be locked in a plurality of positions relative to the stem portion;
• (b) axially moving the head portion in relation to the stem portion.