Methods for using a patient specific alignment device

Abstract

A moveable implant may be provided between the distal end portion of a femur and a proximal end portion of a tibia. The implant may be freely moveable relative to both the femur and the tibia. Embodiments may be configured to fit the surfaces on the distal end portion and proximal end portion of the femur and tibia. As a result of imaging a portion of the patient, the actual configurations of the existing surfaces on the femur and tibia can be accommodated.

1 . A method for using a patient specific alignment device for arthroplasty of a portion of a joint, the method comprising:
 providing an alignment device, the alignment device being configured to at least a portion of a bone surface based on preoperative imaging of the joint;   cutting only a portion of the joint; and   positioning a tray and a bearing with respect to a portion of the joint,   wherein the bearing is configured to move in at least one direction with respect to the tray.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the arthroplasty includes unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the joint includes a knee joint and the tray includes a tibial tray. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing includes a mobile bearing. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tray includes a metal and the bearing includes a polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act of cutting is performed while the joint is free of an extramedullary or intramedullary alignment rod. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act of cutting is performed with an articular surface of a patella of the joint facing a femur of the joint. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment device is a single use device that is configured to be sterily packaged. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment device is configured to at least a portion of an uncut bone surface of the joint. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein imaging includes MRI, x-ray based, fluoroscopic, arthroscopic, endoscopic, or fiber optic imaging device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act of cutting includes preserving at least a portion of a ligament. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment device includes at least one cannulation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising positioning at least a portion of a secondary alignment device or a cutting guide with respect to at least one cannulation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the alignment device is smaller than a width of a bone of the joint. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment device includes a slot. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of a guide surface of the slot includes metal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising an act of providing a kit including the alignment device, tray, and bearing. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing is configured to at least a portion of a bone surface based on preoperative imaging of the joint of the specific patient. 
     
     
         19 . A method for using a patient specific alignment device for arthroplasty of a portion of a joint, the method comprising:
 providing an alignment device, the alignment device being configured to at least a portion of the joint based on preoperative imaging of the patient;   cutting only a portion of the joint; and   positioning a tray and a bearing with respect a portion of the joint,   wherein the bearing is configured to be fixed relative to the tray.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the arthroplasty includes unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the joint includes a knee joint and the tray includes a tibial tray. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the bearing includes a fixed bearing. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the tray includes a metal and the bearing includes a polymer. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the act of cutting is performed while the joint is free of an extramedullary or intramedullary alignment rod. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the act of cutting is performed with an articular surface of a patella of the joint facing a femur of the joint. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the alignment device is a single use device that is configured to be sterily packaged. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the alignment device is configured to at least a portion of an uncut bone surface of the joint. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein imaging includes MRI, x-ray based, fluoroscopic, arthroscopic, endoscopic, or fiber optic imaging device. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the act of cutting includes preserving at least a portion of a ligament. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the alignment device includes at least one cannulation. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising positioning at least a portion of a secondary alignment device or a cutting guide with respect to at least one cannulation. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein a width of the alignment device is smaller than a width of a bone of the joint. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the alignment device includes a slot. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein at least a portion of a guide surface of the slot includes metal. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising an act of providing a kit including the alignment device, tray, and bearing. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the bearing is configured to at least a portion of a bone surface based on preoperative imaging of the joint of the specific patient. 
     
     
         37 . A method for using a patient specific alignment device for unicompartmental arthroplasty of a joint, the method comprising:
 providing an alignment device, the alignment device being configured to at least a portion a bone surface based on preoperative imaging of the joint;   cutting only a medial or lateral condyle of a tibia and a femur of the joint; and   positioning a tibial tray and a bearing with respect to a portion of the joint.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the tray includes a metal and the bearing includes a polymer. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the act of cutting is performed while the joint is free of an extramedullary or intramedullary alignment rod. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the act of cutting is performed with an articular surface of a patella of the joint facing a femur of the joint. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the alignment device is a single use device that is configured to be sterily packaged. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the alignment device is configured to at least a portion of an uncut bone surface of the joint. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein imaging includes MRI, x-ray based, fluoroscopic, arthroscopic, endoscopic, or fiber optic imaging device. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the act of cutting includes preserving at least a portion of a ligament. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the alignment device includes at least one cannulation. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising positioning at least a portion of a secondary alignment device or a cutting guide with respect to at least one cannulation. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein a width of the alignment device is smaller than a width of a bone of the joint. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the alignment device includes a slot. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein at least a portion of a guide surface of the slot includes metal. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising an act of providing a kit including alignment device, tray, and bearing. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the bearing is configured to at least a portion of a bone surface based on preoperative imaging of the joint of the specific patient.