Method and apparatus for smoothing an anatomical joint bearing surface during hemi-joint replacement

Abstract

A method and apparatus prepares a joint surface to receive a prosthetic joint implant during the replacement of a defective human joint. In particular the invention provides an implant preparation device that will smooth or alter a bearing surface of a first side of a joint before surgically attaching a joint implant to a second side of the joint. The implant or joint preparation device has an abrasive bearing surface that is used to smooth the bearing surface of the remaining natural joint. The method includes the additional surgical procedures of implanting the abrasive bearing surface joint preparation device into a first side of a joint, articulating the joint to remove all bearing surface deformities from a second side of the joint having a natural surface, removing the preparation device, cleaning the joint, and inserting the intended joint replacement part into the location used for the preparation device

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.