Ankle prosthesis and methods of using the same

A method of adjustably implanting an intermediate implant of an ankle prosthesis comprising a tibial implant and a talar implant, the method comprising:

• implanting an intermediate implant between the tibial implant and the talar implant, the intermediate implant comprising a projecting member defining an axis of rotation;
• rotating the intermediate implant about the axis of rotation of the projecting member and relative to the tibial implant while the tibial implant, the talar implant, and the intermediate implant are implanted in the ankle;
• and
• fixing the position of the intermediate implant relative to the tibial implant by inserting an implant lock between the tibial implant and the talar implant, the implant lock applying a force that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the projecting member.

A method of trialing an intermediate implant of an ankle prosthesis comprising a tibial implant and a talar implant, the method comprising:

• inserting a first intermediate implant into the ankle prosthesis, the first intermediate comprising a projecting member;
• determining, using a measurement tool, an optimal anteroposterior position of the projecting member for alignment with the talar implant;
• removing the first intermediate implant from the ankle prosthesis;
• selecting a second intermediate implant comprising a projecting member defining an axis of rotation, the second intermediate implant comprising a configuration of the projecting member that corresponds to the determined optimal anteroposterior position;
• inserting the second intermediate implant into the ankle prosthesis such that the second intermediate implant can rotate relative to the tibial implant about the axis of rotation;
• and
• fixing the position of the second intermediate implant relative to the tibial implant by engaging the implant lock with the tibial implant, the implant lock applying a force that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

A method of implanting an ankle prosthesis or a portion thereof from a prosthesis kit, the method comprising:

• providing a prosthesis kit comprising a talar implant, a first tibial implant, a second tibial implant, a first intermediate implant configured to be coupled in fixed relation to the first tibial implant, and a second intermediate implant configured to slide or rotate relative to the second tibial implant;
• implanting the talar implant into a patient;
• selecting either a fixed bearing configuration or a mobile bearing configuration;
• if the fixed bearing configuration is selected:
• implanting the first tibial implant and the first intermediate implant, and
• fixing the position of the first intermediate implant relative to the first tibial implant by inserting a first implant lock between the tibial implant and the talar implant, the first implant lock applying a force that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the projecting member;
• if the mobile bearing configuration is selected:
• implanting, the second tibial implant and the second intermediate implant, and
• constraining the position of the second intermediate implant relative to the second tibial implant, wherein the second intermediate implant is configured to rotate relative to the second tibial implant when constrained,
• wherein both the first and second intermediate implants comprise a lower bearing surface that is shaped to correspond to an upper bearing surface of the talar implant.