Intramedullary ankle technique and system

Abstract

A prosthesis suited for orthopedic implantation comprising a modular intramedullary rod that provides intramedullary guidance and that supports an artificial joint surface that can articulate with another artificial joint surface in various ways. Intramedullary guidance systems and methods introduce some and/or all surgical tools and ankle prostheses components through the tibia, using minimal invasive exposure. The systems and methods align the talus and tibia for the installation of one or more ankle prostheses components, and also maintain that alignment during the installation using intramedullary guidance.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . An intramedullary rod, comprising:
 a plurality of modular components sized and configured to be disposed in an intramedullary canal;
 wherein said modular components are configured to be connected to each other in situ; and 
 wherein the distal-most modular component is a base component configured to engage an alignment guide. 
   
     
     
         19 . The intramedullary rod of  claim 18 , wherein the intramedullary canal is in a tibia. 
     
     
         20 . The intramedullary rod of  claim 18 , wherein the alignment guide is configured for coronal, transverse, and sagittal adjustments. 
     
     
         21 . The intramedullary rod of  claim 20 , wherein the alignment guide is configured to translate said coronal, transverse, and sagittal adjustments to a cutting guide. 
     
     
         22 . The intramedullary rod of  claim 20 , wherein the alignment guide comprises at least one hole to place at least one pin, and wherein the pin is used to translate said coronal, transverse, and sagittal adjustments from the alignment guide to a cutting guide. 
     
     
         23 . A method, comprising:
 inserting a plurality of modular components in an intramedullary canal;   connecting said plurality of modular components in situ to form a single intramedullary rod component; and   connecting a distal end of said intramedullary rod component to an alignment guide.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said intramedullary canal is in a tibia. 
     
     
         25 . A method of implanting an ankle prosthesis system, comprising:
 forming a passage between a tibia and a talus;   forming an intramedullary canal into a distal end of a tibial shaft with a flexible reaming device,   passing a plurality of modular rod components inferiorly through the intramedullary canal into the tibial shaft,   connecting said modular rod components to form a single tibial rod component,   coupling a modular tibial base component to a distal-most end of the tibial rod component,   coupling an alignment guide to said tibial base component,   using said alignment guide to translate adjustments to a cutting guide.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising using the cutting guide to aid in making a tibial cut. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising using the cutting guide to aid in making a tibial cut and a talar cut. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising
 coupling an artificial tibial joint surface to the distal end of the tibial rod component, and   fixing an artificial talar joint surface to the talus for articulation with the artificial tibial joint surface.