Orthopedic augments having recessed pockets

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods for providing orthopedic augments having recessed pockets that receive a fixation material. The orthopedic augments include an outer surface that interfaces with a patient's tissue or bone, an inner surface that interfaces with an implant and having a recessed pocket configured to receive a fixation material, a rim around at least a portion of the recessed pocket, and a port in the rim, wherein the recessed pocket extends along the inner surface in at least a lateral direction from the port.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for implanting an orthopedic augment, the method comprising:
 placing an inner surface of the augment adjacent to an implant, wherein the inner surface comprises a recessed pocket and a port; and   inserting a fixation material into the recessed pocket of the augment via the port, thereby affixing the augment to the implant.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the augment further comprises a plurality of ports. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising using at least one of the plurality of ports as a fill gauge, whereby the fixation material is injected into a first port until the fixation material is observed via a second port used as the fill gauge. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: selecting a first port within which to inject the fixation material into the recessed pocket; and injecting the fixation material into the recessed pocket until the fixation element is observed passing a second port. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising determining a preferred orientation of the augment with respect to the implant and selecting, in response to the determining, one of the plurality of ports within which to inject the fixation material. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the recessed pocket comprises a first compartment and a second compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the port is disposed proximate the first compartment. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising injecting the fixation material into the first compartment via the port, wherein overfilling the first compartment causes the fixation material to flow into the second compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fixation material is a cement or paste. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is an acetabular shell or cage, the acetabular shell or cage including an exterior surface having a curved surface, the augment including an outer surface adapted to interface with a tissue or bone, and an inner surface configured to interface with the curved surface of the implant. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the recessed pocket extends from the inner surface of the augment and defines a volume when the inner surface of the augment interfaces with the curved surface of the implant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the augment includes superior, lateral, and inferior surfaces, the port extends through the superior surface of the augment in use. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the inner surface of the augment defines a rim extending about an opening, the rim is adapted to contact the curved surface of the implant to retain the fixation material within the recessed pocket such that the rim seals the inferior and lateral surfaces of the augment against the curved surface of the implant when the inner surface of the augment is interfaced with the curved surface of the implant. 
     
     
         14 . A method for implanting an acetabular system, the method comprising:
 placing an acetabular shell or cage into a patient's acetabulum, the acetabular shell or cage including a curved exterior surface;   placing an augment adjacent to the acetabular shell or cup, the augment including:
 an outer surface adapted to interface with the patient's tissue or bone; 
 a rim configured to interface with the curved exterior surface of the acetabular shell or cup when the augment is placed into contact with the acetabular shell or cage; 
 a recessed pocket defining a volume, the recessed pocket being partially defined by a portion of the curved exterior surface of the acetabular shell or cage when the augment is placed into contact with the acetabular shell or cage; and 
 a port; 
   inserting a fixation material into the recessed pocket of the augment via the port, thereby affixing the augment to the acetabular shell or cup.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the augment further comprises a plurality of ports. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising using at least one of the plurality of ports as a fill gauge, whereby the fixation material is injected into a first port until the fixation material is observed via a second port used as the fill gauge. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: selecting a first port within which to inject the fixation material into the recessed pocket; and injecting the fixation material into the recessed pocket until the fixation element is observed passing a second port. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising determining a preferred orientation of the augment with respect to the acetabular system or cup and selecting, in response to the determining, one of the plurality of ports within which to inject the fixation material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fixation material is a cement or paste. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the augment includes superior, lateral, and inferior surfaces, the port extends through the superior surface of the augment in use.