Instruments for use in femoroacetabular impingement procedures

Abstract

Improved instruments (tools) and surgical techniques are provided for use in surgical procedures that treat femoroacetabular impingement of both the Cam and Pincer types.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A microfracture pick for use in a microfracture procedure performed on a subchondral bone comprising:
 an elongated curved handle having a distal end;   a pointed tip portion formed at the distal end of the handle for facilitating entry into the bone and producing a hole therein, wherein the pointed tip portion has an arcuate contour; and   a rounded buttress tip portion that is offset from the pointed tip portion and is located proximal thereto such that an arcuate shaped inner edge of the pointed tip portion faces the rounded buttress tip portion, the rounded buttress tip for resting on a side of the acetabulum and providing a buttress so that the pointed tip portion is prevented from sliding in a direction of the handle.   
     
     
         2 . The microfracture pick of  claim 1 , wherein the handle has curved portion proximal and adjacent the rounded buttress tip and pointed tip portion to allow the pick to be placed around a contour of a femoral head and aid in positioning the pointed tip portion perpendicular to the bone. 
     
     
         3 . The microfracture pick of  claim 1 , wherein the rounded buttress tip portion comprises a truncated spherical shape tip. 
     
     
         4 . The microfracture of  claim 1 , wherein the offset between the pointed tip portion and the rounded buttress tip determines a depth of penetration and where a microfracture hole is placed in relation to a rim of the acetabulum. 
     
     
         5 . The microfracture of  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes an impaction surface on an outside portion thereof that is angled to help direct an applied force in the direction of the pointed tip portion towards the bone. 
     
     
         6 . The microfracture pick of  claim 1 , wherein the arcuate shaped inner edge of the pointed tip portion extends to the rounded buttress tip. 
     
     
         7 . The microfracture pick of  claim 1 , wherein the pointed tip portion has a circular contour that orients a sharp distal end of the pointed tip portion more perpendicular to a surface of the bone. 
     
     
         8 . An inflatable space holder for placement in a peripheral space formed by a femoral neck and a joint capsule comprising:
 a flexible, inflatable body having an outer surface and a tip, wherein the tip includes a pocket for receiving a flexible tool for directing the inflatable body around the femoral neck;   a conduit that is fluidly connected to an interior of the inflatable body; and   an inlet valve that is associated with the conduit for inflation of the inflatable body;   wherein the inflatable body, in a deflated state, the conduit, and the inlet valve are sized to fit through a cannula that has a diameter between about 4.5 mm and 8.5 mm.   
     
     
         9 . The inflatable space holder of  claim 8 , wherein the inflatable body is preshaped to fit around the femoral neck. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable space holder of  claim 8 , wherein the outer surface of the inflatable body has rough surface structures to make the outer surface rougher, increase friction on the femoral neck and minimize movement of the inflatable body after its insertion, during inflation of the inflatable body and after inflation of the inflatable body. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable space holder of  claim 8 , wherein the conduit comprises tubing. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable space holder of  claim 8 , wherein the inlet valve is configured to mate with a syringe for inflating the inflatable body with a fluid. 
     
     
         13 . A self retaining capsule retractor for maintaining a joint capsule in an open position comprising:
 a ring-shaped member having a central opening and a plurality of blade openings formed radially about the central opening; and   a plurality of independently movable retractor blades that can be of different lengths, each blade having a proximal end that is received within one blade opening such that rotation of the blade is prevented, wherein each blade has an angled portion that terminates in a distal end of the blade.   
     
     
         14 . The capsule retractor of  claim 13 , wherein each blade opening has a hexagonal shape and the proximal end of the blade has a complementary hexagonal shape. 
     
     
         15 . The capsule retractor of  claim 13 , wherein there are three blades, each blade being configured to fit into any of the blade openings. 
     
     
         16 . The capsule retractor of  claim 13 , wherein the distal end of the blade includes a plurality of sharp, slightly curved spikes. 
     
     
         17 . The capsule retractor of  claim 13 , wherein the blade comprises a rigid member. 
     
     
         18 . The capsule retractor of  claim 13 , wherein the central opening is sized to receive one or more tools that are directed into a peripheral space formed between a femoral neck and the joint capsule.