Linked tibial resection guide

Abstract

An improved resection guide and method using same are disclosed. The guide is preferably utilized in resecting the tibia during either a single or double unicondylar type procedure. Preferably, the guide allows for linked resection of the tibia while also being capable of conforming to many different patient sizes. This may also allow for a more precise resection to be accomplished.

1 . A tibial resection guide comprising:
 a first resection guide portion including a first cutting surface; and   a second resection guide portion including a second cutting surface, the second resection guide portion being pivotally connected to the first resection guide portion,   wherein the first and second cutting surfaces are positioned with respect to one another so as to allow linked cuts to be made on lateral and medial sides of a proximal tibia during a surgical procedure on the knee.   
   
   
       2 . The tibial resection guide of  claim 1 , wherein the first resection guide portion includes a first channel and the second resection guide portion includes a second channel. 
   
   
       3 . The tibial resection guide of  claim 2 , wherein the first resection guide portion includes a first connection aperture and the second resection guide portion includes a second connection aperture. 
   
   
       4 . The tibial resection guide of  claim 3 , further comprising a connector pivotally connecting the first and second resection guide portions to one another, the connector extending through the first and second connection apertures. 
   
   
       5 . The tibial resection guide of  claim 3 , further comprising an intermediate portion including a first extension, the first extension extending through the first and second connection apertures. 
   
   
       6 . The tibial resection guide of  claim 5 , wherein the intermediate portion includes a second extension adapted to receive a navigation tracker and an intermediate aperture. 
   
   
       7 . The tibial resection guide of  claim 6 , further comprising a locking knob extending through the intermediate aperture and the first and second connection apertures. 
   
   
       8 . The tibial resection guide of  claim 7 , further comprising a navigation tracker attached to the second extension. 
   
   
       9 . The tibial resection guide of  claim 2 , further comprising a leg extension inserted through one of the first or second channels. 
   
   
       10 . The tibial resection guide of  claim 9 , wherein the leg extension includes a main body, a vertically extending rod, and a leg clamp. 
   
   
       11 . The tibial resection guide of  claim 10 , wherein the vertically extending rod is held in one of the first or second channels with either a first set screw at least partially extending into the first channel or a second set screw at least partially extending into the second channel. 
   
   
       12 . The tibial resection guide of  claim 1 , wherein the guide is adapted for use with an oscillating tip saw. 
   
   
       13 . The tibial resection guide of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second resection guide portions each include a fixing aperture. 
   
   
       14 . The tibial resection guide of  claim 1 , wherein the first resection guide portion includes a plurality of elongate apertures and fingers interlaced with a plurality of elongate apertures and fingers of the second resection guide portion. 
   
   
       15 . A method of resecting a tibia during a surgical procedure, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a tibial resection guide including a first resection guide portion including a first cutting surface and a second resection guide portion including a second cutting surface, the second resection guide portion being pivotally connected to the first resection guide portion;   vertically positioning the tibial resection guide with respect to a portion of the tibia to be resected;   rotating one of the first or second resection guide portions with respect to the other in order to position the first and second cutting surfaces with respect to the portion of the tibia to be resected;   engaging a portion of a cutting instrument with one or both of the first and second cutting surfaces; and   resecting the portion of the tibia.   
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of fixing the first and second resection guide portions with respect to the tibia. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of fixing the first and second resection guide portions with respect to one another. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of fixing one of the first or second resection guide portions to a leg extension. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the vertically positioning step includes sliding a vertically extending rod of the leg extension through a first channel formed in the first resection guide portion or through a second channel formed in the second resection guide portion. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the engaging and resecting steps are performed with an oscillating tip saw. 
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein both medial and lateral sides of the tibia are resected.