Modular hip implants

A method for implanting a proximal femoral replacement implant into a patient using at least one reamer having a cutting portion, said method comprising:

• forming a first incision on the lateral side of the patient's hip in a position external to the flare of the greater trochanter;
• forming a second incision on the lateral side of the patient's proximal thigh near the waist;
• resecting the head of the femur;
• reaming the intramedullary canal of the femur;
• inserting a guide wire into the intramedullary canal of the femur;
• sliding a rod over the guide wire into the intramedullary canal of the femur, the rod having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal and proximal ends thereof, and having an engagement surface thereon;
• removing the guide wire;
• forming a passage from the flare of the greater trochanter, through one or both of the first and second incisions along the longitudinal axis of the natural femoral neck;
• providing a body member having a medial end, a lateral end and a longitudinal axis extending between the medial and lateral ends, and an engagement surface on a side surface thereof and a joining portion on the medial end thereof;
• inserting the medial end of the body member through the first incision, and advancing the body member through the passage;
• aligning the engagement surfaces of the rod and the body member;
• advancing the body member through the passage to a position in which the medial end of the body member extends beyond the resected surface of the femoral neck;
• locking the body member in the desired position;
• and,
• securing a prosthetic femoral head to the joining portion of the body member.

An implant system for replacing the proximal portion of a femur having a substantially intact natural femoral neck, medial side and lateral side, the implant comprising:

• a plurality of modular components of varying sizes within anatomical ranges for accommodating varying patient body dimensions, the components comprising:
• a body member having a medial end, a lateral end and a longitudinal axis extending between the medial and lateral ends, the body member being configured for positioning, in use, in a natural femoral neck, and having a first engagement surface on a surface thereof comprising a protrusion, a joining portion on the medial end and at least one passage therethrough in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body member;
• a head member having a domed portion configured for positioning, in use, in a natural or prosthetic acetabulum and a joining end for attachment to the joining portion of the body member;
• a rod having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal and proximal ends thereof, the rod being configured for positioning, in use, in the intramedullary canal of a femur, the rod having a second engagement surface comprising a recess in the proximal end the rod, said recess defining a channel through said rod configured to receive the protrusion for securing the body member against rotation about the longitudinal axis of the body member, the rod having at least one bore extending in the proximal end thereof, each such bore being positioned for coaxial alignment, in use, with a corresponding one of the at least one passage through the body member;
• at least one locking member, each such locking member configured for insertion, in use, through and engagement with one of the at least one passage of the body member and the at least one bore of the rod in alignment therewith;
• and,
• at least one passage through the rod in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rod.