Method and apparatus for performing a less invasive shoulder procedure

Abstract

A method and apparatus of performing a procedure relative to the glenohumeral joint. Resection of the glenoid and/or the humerus can proceed through an incision formed near the glenohumeral joint. The incision can be formed generally near a superior-lateral portion near the glenohumeral joint and allow less invasive access to the glenohumeral joint and the portions that form the glenohumeral joint. The procedure can be performed with no or little detaching of the subscapularis, and with no or little dislocating of the glenohumeral joint.

1 .- 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A glenoid resection guide for guiding the formation of various resections of a glenoid when performing a procedure relative to the glenoid, the glenoid resection guide comprising:
 a superior surface;   an inferior surface shaped to fit within a reamed glenoid;   a bore extending between a first opening on the superior surface and a second opening on the interior surface and positioned on the glenoid resection guide to guide a resection instrument to form a bore in the glenoid;   a connection portion positioned along an edge of the superior surface; and   a handle to interconnect with the connection portion to assist in positioning the glenoid resection guide relative to the glenoid.   
     
     
         10 . The glenoid resection guide of  claim 9 , wherein the connection portion is positioned along a central axis of the glenoid resection guide. 
     
     
         11 . The glenoid resection guide of  claim 10 , wherein the connection portion is positioned at an angle relative to the superior surface. 
     
     
         12 . The glenoid resection guide of  claim 9 , wherein the connection portion includes a threaded bore to interconnect with the handle. 
     
     
         13 . The glenoid resection guide of  claim 9 , wherein the connection portion is positioned offset from the central axis. 
     
     
         14 . The glenoid resection guide of  claim 9 , wherein the connection portion includes at least one of a first connection portion positioned along a periphery of the glenoid resection guide centered on a central axis, a second connection portion positioned along the periphery of the glenoid resection guide offset in a first direction from the central axis, a third connection portion positioned along the periphery of the glenoid resection guide offset in a second direction from the central axis, or a combination the first connection portion, the second connection portion, and the third connection portion along a periphery of the glenoid resection guide. 
     
     
         15 . The glenoid resection guide of  claim 14 , wherein the handle is selectively interconnected with one of the first connection portion, the second connection portion, or the third connection portion. 
     
     
         16 . The glenoid resection guide of  claim 9 , further comprising a centering post extending from the inferior surface to assist in positioning the glenoid resection guide after initial reaming of the glenoid. 
     
     
         17 . The glenoid resection guide of  claim 17 , wherein the bore is offset from the centering post. 
     
     
         18 . The glenoid resection guide of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of bores to guide multiple resections of the glenoid. 
     
     
         19 . A system for guiding the formation of various resections of a glenoid when performing a procedure relative to the glenoid, the system comprising:
 a positioning arm; and   a plurality of glenoid resection guides, wherein each glenoid resection guide of the plurality of glenoid resection guides comprises:
 a superior surface; 
 an inferior surface shaped to fit within a reamed glenoid; 
 a bore extending between a first opening on the superior surface and a second opening on the interior surface, and positioned on the glenoid resection guide to guide a resection instrument to form a bore in the glenoid; and 
 a connection portion positioned along an edge of the superior surface to received the positioning arm. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein each glenoid resection guide of the plurality of glenoid resection guides has a different size or shape. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the connection portion is positioned along a central axis of the glenoid resection guide. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein any one of the connection portions is positioned at an angle relative to the superior surface. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein any one of the connection portions includes a threaded bore to interconnect with the handle. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein any one of the connection portions is positioned offset from the central axis.