US 8,617,251 B2 · Trapezium implant for thumb and method

Abstract

An implant for the trapezium of the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint comprising an integral elastomeric member configured to include a body portion having a tapered neck, having extending from one end thereof an elongated, longitudinally extending tapered portion adapted to be embedded into a reamed out-channel in the thumb metacarpal bone. After implantation, in the preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a segment of a nearby tendon, for example, the APL or FCR tendons, may be wrapped around the tapered neck of the implant to secure it in position, thereby forming a reinforced structure to inhibit dislocation of the prosthesis. However, in other methods, various other securing elements, including, but not limited to acellular matrices, may be used to retain the implant in position.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method of reconstructing a carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of a thumb of a hand, comprising:

a) implanting an implant having an elongated tapered portion and a tapered neck into the CMC joint such that the tapered neck that extends circumferentially about a body portion of the implant from which the elongated tapered portion extends is disposed adjacent to the bones of the CMC joint;
b) stripping away a portion of a tendon to leave a distal attachment intact adjacent to the implant;
c) wrapping the portion of the tendon around the tapered neck of the implant to a point intersecting a remaining tendon at a palm side of the hand in the absence of threading the tendon through an aperture such that the portion of the tendon is received within the tapered neck and at least partially encircles a longitudinal axis defined by the elongated tapered portion of the implant;
and
d) suturing the tendon to the remaining tendon.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Trapezium implant for thumb and method

Life of this patent

Trapezium implant for thumb and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14