Prosthetic element removal apparatus and methods

Abstract

Guide means direct a cutting tool into the interface between a prosthesis and surrounding bone are provided to bring about a more controlled separation and removal thereof for revision or other purposes. Such guides may be placed on the prosthetic element itself or, alternatively, on a separate component aligned with the prosthesis. In the particular case of a stemmed prosthesis such as a proximal femoral component, the invention preferably provides one or more tracks, channels, grooves or slots longitudinally oriented along the stem of the implant, enabling an osteotome, for example, to be inserted thereinto and tapped down along the side of the implant between the prosthesis and the surrounding bone to bring about a cleaner and more controlled separation. Preferably, sufficient guide means are provided around the body of the implant so that as the cutting tool is inserted along the plurality of tracks, very little fusion remains between the implant and the surrounding bone, thereby enabling the prosthesis to be readily removed. Although different cutting tools may be provided for use as part of the invention, standard osteotomes are preferably used due to their widespread availability.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.