Method and apparatus for enabling access to an intramedullary canal of a femur through a femoral knee joint prosthesis

A knee joint prosthesis system for enabling access to an intramedullary canal of a femur, the knee joint prosthesis system comprising:

• a femoral component having at least a first bearing surface defining an opening passing through said femoral component;
• a tibial component having a portion adapted to engage said first bearing surface;
• a seal member operable to substantially fill said opening, wherein said seal member defines an elongated recess;
• a tab extending from said seal member to operably interconnect said seal member and said femoral component;
• and
• a removal instrument operable to engage said elongated recess of said seal member to substantially remove said seal member from said femoral component to enable access to the intramedullary canal of the femur.

A method for enabling access to an intramedullary canal of a femur through a femoral knee joint prosthesis, said method comprising:

• providing the femoral knee joint prosthesis including an opening therethrough;
• removably affixing a seal member by affixing a tab, extending from said seal member, to a ledge extending into said opening of said femoral knee joint prosthesis;
• wherein said seal member substantially fills said opening passing through the femoral knee joint prosthesis;
• implanting said femoral knee prosthesis including said seal member;
• providing a removal instrument operable to engage the seal member;
• and
• substantially removing the seal member from the femoral knee joint prosthesis upon engaging the seal member with the removal instrument after the femoral knee joint prosthesis has been implanted to enable access to the intramedullary canal of the femur without removing the femoral knee joint prosthesis from the femur.