Tibial knee component with a mobile bearing

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to an orthopaedic implant, and, more particularly, to a tibial knee component.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of an embodiment of an orthopaedic knee component of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the bearing of FIG. 1 as viewed along line 2—2;

#Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

#Referring to the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of an orthopaedic knee component in the form of a tibial knee component 10 (FIG. 1) which is implanted within a proximal tibia 12 (FIG. 7). Tibial knee component 10 engages with a femoral component 14 which is implanted within a distal femur 16.

#Tibial knee component 10 includes a tibial tray 18, bearing 20 and intermediate carrier 22. Tibial tray 18 has a proximal tibial plateau 24 and a distally extending stem 26. Tibial plateau 24 has a generally planar proximal surface which extends transverse (e.g., generally orthogonal) to a longitudinal axis 28 of stem 26. A generally cylindrically shaped post 30 with a retainer 32 has an axis of rotation 34 which extends generally orthogonal to tibial plateau 24, and thus also extends generally parallel to axis 28 of stem 26. Tibial tray 18 also includes a keeper block 36 positioned adjacent to an anterior ledge 38. Keeper block 36 extends from tibial plateau 24 and inhibits movement of carrier 22 in a radial direction relative to post 30, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Retainer 32 includes a radially extending flange which inhibits movement of intermediate carrier 22 in a direction generally parallel to axis of rotation 34.