Universal handle

A kit for use in orthopaedic surgery, the kit comprising:

• a handle comprising:
• a proximal end,
• a distal end, and
• an open-ended channel extending between the distal end and the proximal end,
• the channel being configured for either;
• receiving a shall of a first orthopaedic instrument such that the shaft extends completely through the handle, and the handle is in a sliding relationship with the shaft;
• or
• receiving a handle-attachment portion located at a proximal end of a second orthopaedic surgical instrument such that the handle and the second orthopaedic surgical instrument are held in a fixed relationship;
• and
• a first orthopaedic instrument having a shaft dimensioned for receipt within the open-ended channel of the handle, such that when the first orthopaedic instrument is assembled with the handle, the handle is in a sliding relationship with the shaft, and/or
• a second orthopaedic instrument having a proximally-located handle-attachment portion, such that when the second orthopaedic surgical instrument is assembled with the handle, the handle-attachment portion and the handle are held in a fixed relationship.

A method for preparing a surgical instrument for use in extracting a femoral stem component from a femur, the method comprising:

• providing a handle, the handle comprising:
• a body comprising:
• a proximal end,
• a distal end, and
• an open-ended channel extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the channel being configured for either receiving a shaft of a first orthopaedic instrument such that the shaft extends completely through the handle, and the handle is in a sliding relationship with the shaft, or receiving a handle-attachment portion located at a proximal end of a second orthopaedic instrument such that the handle and the second orthopaedic instrument are held in a fixed relationship;
• selecting a first orthopaedic instrument having a shaft and a dista11y-located femoral stem-attachment portion;
• and
• sliding the shaft of the first orthopaedic instrument through the open-ended channel of the handle such that the shaft extends beyond both the distal end and the proximal end of the handle.

A method for preparing a surgical instrument for use in inserting a femoral stem component into a femur, the method comprising:

• providing a handle, the handle comprising:
• a body comprising:
• a proximal end,
• a distal end, and
• an open-ended channel extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the channel being configured for either receiving a shaft of a first orthopaedic instrument such that the shaft extends completely through the handle, and the handle is in a sliding relationship with the shaft, or receiving a handle-attachment portion located at a proximal end of a second orthopaedic instrument such that the handle and the second orthopaedic instrument are held in a fixed relationship;
• selecting a second orthopaedic instrument having a proximally-located handle-attachment portion;
• sliding the handle-attachment portion into a distally-located portion of the open-ended channel of the handle, and
• locking the handle-attachment portion of the second orthopaedic instrument within the distally-located portion of the open-ended channel.