Canal sizer and associated method

A method for performing joint arthroplasty comprising:

• resecting a long bone;
• preparing the medullary canal of a long bone;
• utilizing at least one of a plurality of instruments for measuring the medullary canal of the long bone, each of said instruments including an elongated central portion defining opposed first and second ends, and an arcuate contact portion extending from the first end of the elongated central portion, the contact portion having a plurality of contact areas each of the plurality of contact areas including an outer periphery, having a circumference, for contact with the medullary canal and defining a plurality of relief areas for providing clearance between the instrument and the medullary canal, wherein the relief area is recessed from the outer periphery of the contact area, such that the relief area interrupts the outer periphery of the contact area, and the relief area does not extend around the entire circumference of the outer periphery;
• inserting one of said plurality of instruments into the canal;
• determining the appropriateness of said one of said plurality of instruments;
• utilizing at least one of a plurality of centralizers for being implanted into the medullary canal of the long bone, each of said plurality of centralizers corresponding to one of said plurality of instruments;
• inserting said one of said plurality of centralizers corresponding to said one of said plurality of instruments into the canal;
• providing a stem;
• and
• implanting said stem in the medullary canal of a long bone.