Alignment instruments and methods for use in total ankle replacement

A surgical method, comprising:

• providing a joint-line referencing system;
• placing a shim of an alignment foot of the joint-line referencing system adjacent to a joint between a tibia and a talus of a patient;
• inserting a first linear member of the joint-line referencing system into a first through-hole and a second linear member of the joint-line referencing system in a second through-hole;
• moving a handle of the alignment foot to position and/or orient an alignment arm;
• and
• removing the joint-line referencing system from the joint.

A surgical method comprising:

• providing a joint-line referencing system;
• placing a shim of an alignment foot adjacent to a joint between a tibia and a talus of a patient;
• inserting a first linear member into a first through-hole of an alignment arm;
• inserting a first pin into a passageway of the first linear member;
• inserting a second linear member into a second through-hole of the alignment arm;
• inserting a second pin into a passageway of the second linear member;
• moving a handle of the alignment foot to position and/or orient the alignment arm;
• and
• removing the joint-line referencing system from the joint.