Metatarsophalangeal joint preparation and metatarsal realignment for fusion

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12364522-B2
Application number	US-202318297712-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 10, 2023
Priority date	Jan 31, 2020
Publication date	Jul 22, 2025
Grant date	Jul 22, 2025

Abstract

A method of preparing a metatarsophalangeal joint for fusion may involve surgically accessing the metatarsophalangeal joint and separating the metatarsal from the opposed proximal phalanx at the joint. The technique may involve preparing an end of the metatarsal and preparing an end of the opposed proximal phalanx for fusion. With or without the aid of a bone positioner, the metatarsal may be moved in one or more planes, such as the frontal and transverse planes. The proximal phalanx may also be moved in one or more planes, for example relative to the moved metatarsal. Subsequently, a bone fixation device can be applied across or through the metatarsophalangeal joint separating the metatarsal from the opposed proximal phalanx.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of preparing a metatarsophalangeal joint for fusion, the method comprising:
preparing a distal end of a metatarsal for fusion;
preparing a proximal end of an opposed phalanx for fusion, the opposed phalanx being separated from the metatarsal by a metatarsophalangeal joint;
moving the opposed phalanx relative to the metatarsal in a frontal plane and a sagittal plane;
using an instrument engaged with the metatarsal and engaged with the opposed phalanx to compress a prepared end of the metatarsal together with a prepared end of the opposed phalanx; and
applying a bone fixation device to the metatarsal and the opposed phalanx across the metatarsophalangeal joint.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising moving the opposed phalanx relative to the metatarsal in a transverse plane.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
preparing the end of the metatarsal comprises reaming the end of the metatarsal with a generally conical-shaped reamer; and
preparing the end of the opposed phalanx comprises reaming the end of the opposed phalanx with a generally cone-shaped reamer.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to applying the bone fixation device, provisionally fixing a moved position of the opposed phalanx relative to the metatarsal.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein provisionally fixing the moved position of the opposed phalanx relative to the metatarsal comprises provisionally fixing the moved position of the opposed phalanx with a pin.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bone fixation device comprises one or more of a screw, a bone plate, and a staple.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising inserting a pin into the opposed phalanx, wherein moving the opposed phalanx comprises moving the opposed phalanx via the pin.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising moving the metatarsal to establish a moved position of the metatarsal prior to applying the bone fixation device to the metatarsal and the opposed phalanx.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein moving the metatarsal comprising moving the metatarsal in at least the transverse plane and the frontal plane.

10. The method of claim 1 , further engaging the instrument with the metatarsal via a first pin inserted into the metatarsal and with the opposed phalanx via a second pin inserted into the opposed phalanx.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the instrument comprises a compressor-distractor.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein preparing the metatarsophalangeal joint for fusion comprises treating the metatarsophalangeal joint for arthritis.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metatarsal is a first metatarsal.

14. A method of preparing a metatarsophalangeal joint for fusion, the method comprising:
surgically accessing a metatarsophalangeal joint separating a first metatarsal from a proximal phalanx;
reaming an end of the first metatarsal with a generally conical-shaped reamer;
reaming an end of the proximal phalanx with a generally cone-shaped reamer;
moving the proximal phalanx relative to the first metatarsal in a sagittal plane;
using an instrument engaged with the first metatarsal and engaged with the proximal phalanx to compress a prepared end of the first metatarsal together with a prepared end of the proximal phalanx; and
applying a bone fixation device to the first metatarsal and the proximal phalanx across the metatarsophalangeal joint.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising moving the proximal phalanx relative to the first metatarsal in a frontal plane.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising moving the proximal phalanx relative to the first metatarsal in a transverse plane.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising, prior to applying the bone fixation device, provisionally fixing a moved position of the proximal phalanx relative to the first metatarsal.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein provisionally fixing the moved position of the proximal phalanx relative to the first metatarsal comprises provisionally fixing the moved position of the proximal phalanx with a pin.

19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the bone fixation device comprises one or more of a screw, a bone plate, and a staple.

20. The method of claim 14 , wherein preparing the metatarsophalangeal joint for fusion comprises treating the metatarsophalangeal joint for arthritis.

Assignees

• Treace Medical Concepts Inc

Inventors

• Decarbo William T
• Dayton Paul
• Smith W Bret
• Santrock Robert D
• Hatch Daniel J
• Mcaleer Jody

Classifications

• A61B2017/681

  Alignment, compression, or distraction mechanisms · CPC title

• A61B2017/00407

  Ratchet means · CPC title

• A61B17/1775

  for the foot or ankle · CPC title

• A61B17/848

  Kirschner wires, i.e. thin, long nails · CPC title

• A61B2017/565

  for surgical correction of axial deviation, e.g. hallux valgus or genu valgus · CPC title