Talar Ankle Implant

Abstract

Methods of implanting a talar component during ankle surgery are provided. A method includes cutting at least medial and lateral cuts in a talus bone. The method includes driving a first self-cutting distal edge of a lateral side wall of the talar component into the lateral cut and a second self-cutting distal edge of a medial side wall of the talar component into the medial cut. A thickness of the lateral sidewall tapers to form the first self-cutting distal edge and a thickness of the medial sidewall tapers to form the second self-cutting edge.

1 . A method of implanting a talar component during ankle surgery, the method comprising:
 cutting at least medial and lateral cuts in a talus bone; and   driving a first self-cutting distal edge of a lateral side wall of the talar component into the lateral cut and a second self-cutting distal edge of a medial side wall of the talar component into the medial cut,   wherein a thickness of the lateral sidewall tapers to form the first self-cutting distal edge and a thickness of the medial sidewall tapers to form the second self-cutting edge.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medial and lateral cuts are oversized such that, during the driving step, the medial and lateral cuts preserve portions of the talus bone to accept the self-cutting distal edges. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, during the driving step, driving at least one anchor extending from the talar component into the talus bone. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising pre-drilling at least one pilot hole into the talus bone and wherein, during the driving step, the at least one anchor is driven into the at least one pilot hole. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one anchor is self-tapping. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein after the driving step, the side walls form a seal between the talus bone and the talar component. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , the talar component further comprising an inferior surface such that the inferior surface, medial side wall and lateral side wall define an inferior volume, wherein the seal encloses a portion of the inferior volume above a surface of the talus bone. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the inferior surface is substantially concave. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second self-cutting distal edges are knife-edges. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second self-cutting distal edges are serrated. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the talar component is symmetrical about an axis extending in an anterior-posterior direction of the talar component. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of the medial and lateral side walls extends farther distally than the other. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, after the driving step, the first and second self-cutting distal edges facilitate osteointegration between the talar component and the talus bone. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 cutting anterior and posterior cuts in the talus bone; and   during the driving step, simultaneously driving a third self-cutting distal edge of an anterior wall of the talar component into the anterior cut and a fourth self-cutting distal edge of a posterior wall of the talar component into the posterior cut.   
     
     
         15 . A method of implanting a talar component of an ankle joint prosthesis during surgery, the method comprising:
 cutting at least medial and lateral cuts in a talus bone; and   driving respective self-cutting distal edges of opposing side walls of the talar component into the medial and lateral cuts of the talus bone until a concave inferior surface of the talar component and the opposing sidewalls form a seal enclosing an inferior volume above a surface of the talus bone,   wherein a respective thickness of each of the opposing sidewalls tapers to form the respective self-cutting distal edges.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein, for each side wall of the talar component, substantially an entire length of the side wall maintains contact with the talus bone after implantation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the seal between the talar component and the talus bone is adapted to prevent fluid from flowing between the inferior surface and the talus bone. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the medial and lateral cuts are oversized such that, during the driving step, the medial and lateral cuts preserve portions of the talus bone to accept the self-cutting distal edges. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, during the driving step, driving at least one anchor extending from the talar component into the talus bone. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising pre-drilling at least one pilot hole into the talus bone and wherein, during the driving step, the at least one anchor is driven into the at least one pilot hole.