Improved knee prosthesis
AssigneeSmith & Nephew, Inc.
InventorNathaniel M. Lenz
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Abstract
Tibial inserts and tibial femoral systems are provided for improved knee reconstruction systems. External rotation of a knee joint implant is enhanced by modifications to the post, providing a recess that allows clearance of the post against the corners of a box wall within the femoral component. The rotation provides for a more natural knee joint motion of the implant. The depth, size, and location of the post relief may be modified for certain applications to provide both improved rotational motion and constraint against undesirable motion of the knee.
Claims21
A tibial insert, comprising
- a base;
- a post having a vertical axis, a medial and a lateral sidewall, a posterior and an anterior face, a superior end, and an inferior end, the post extending from a superior surface of the base;
- a first junction between the anterior face and medial sidewall, a second junction between the anterior face and the lateral sidewall;
- and
- a recess in the medial sidewall that extends across the first junction.
A method of actuating a knee prosthesis having a base, a post extending from the base, and a femoral component having a slot disposed generally between two condylar surfaces, the method comprising:
- contacting a first wall of the slot with a first portion but not a second portion of a medial surface of the post;
- contacting a second wall of the slot with a lateral surface of the post;
- and
- rotating the post axially within the slot to align the second portion toward the first wall.
A method of treating an injured knee, comprising installing an insert in contact with the patient's proximal tibia, installing an articulating housing in contact with the patient's distal femur, inserting the insert in rotational orientation within the housing so a recessed portion of the insert can pass an inner corner of the housing during flexion or extension of the knee.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.