Hindfoot nail

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-RE46008-E
Application number	US-201213614006-A
Country	US
Kind code	E1
Filing date	Sep 13, 2012
Priority date	Feb 18, 2005
Publication date	May 24, 2016
Grant date	May 24, 2016

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nail and fastener assembly for use in providing a stable construct for optimal fixation of the hindfoot and to methods for implanting the nail and fastener assembly. One embodiment of the nail and fastener assembly provides additional fixation, for example, in the form of one or more threaded bores, to hold the fasteners in a fixed position. Another embodiment provides angled bores to allow multi-planar and multi-axial implantation of the fasteners. In some instances, the fasteners may cross one or more articulating surfaces of the foot. For example, the fastener may traverse one or more of the calcaneo-cuboid and the talo-calcaneal articulating surfaces to aid in more secure stabilization of the hindfoot.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for at least partially fusing a patient's calcaneo-cuboid articulating surface and talo-calcaneal articulating surface in a hindfoot fusion process, the method comprising:
(a) providing a nail having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a first angled fastener-receiving hole and a second angled fastener-receiving hole; (b) providing a first fastener adapted to be received in the first angled fastener-receiving hole and a second fastener adapted to be received in the second angled fastener-receiving hole; (c) implanting the nail into a patient's tibial canal; (d) inserting the first fastener through the first angled fastener-receiving hole in the nail, such that the first fastener at least partially crosses the patient's calcaneo-cuboid articulating surface; and (e) inserting the second fastener through the second angled fastener-receiving hole in the nail, such that the second fastener at least partially crosses the talo-calcaneal articulating surface.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first fastener-receiving hole and the second fastener-receiving hole is at least partially threaded.

3. A method of ankle arthrodesis on a patient, the patient having a tibia, a cuboid, a talus, and a calcaneus, the tibia having a tibial canal, the method comprising the steps of:
a. selecting a properly sized nail; b. reaming the tibial canal; c. inserting the nail into the tibial canal; d. inserting a first fastener into the calcaneus, through the nail, and into the cuboid; and e. inserting a second fastener into the calcaneus, through the nail, and into the talus, wherein a tip portion of the second fastener achieves purchase within the talus.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of removing cartilage from one or more bones.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of incising a non-weight bearing part of a sole of the patient's foot.

6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of inserting a guide wire into the tibial canal.

7. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of inserting a transverse fastener into the calcaneus and the nail.

8. A method for fusing bones in a hindfoot fusion process, comprising:
providing a nail having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a central longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the distal portion defining at least two fastener-receiving holes, each of the holes defining a through axis offset and non-perpendicular to the nail axis, the through axes being non-parallel; providing at least two fasteners; implanting the nail into a patient's tibial canal; and inserting one of the fasteners through one of the holes in the nail and inserting the other fastener through the other of the holes in the nail with at least one of the two fasteners engaging the calcaneus, wherein inserting one of the fasteners comprises inserting the one of the fasteners into the cuboid.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein providing the nail comprises the distal portion defining a third fastener-receiving hole between the at least two fastener-receiving holes relative to the longitudinal axis.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising providing a third fastener and inserting the third fastener through the third hole in the nail.

11. A method for fusing bones in a hindfoot fusion process, comprising:
providing a nail having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a central longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the distal portion defining three fastener-receiving holes, at least two of the holes defining through axes offset and non-perpendicular to the nail central longitudinal axis, the third hole being positioned between the at least two of the holes relative to the longitudinal axis; providing three fasteners; implanting the nail into a patient's tibial canal; and inserting the fasteners each through one of the holes in the nail, wherein one of the fasteners is inserted into the cuboid.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein providing the nail comprises the at least two of the holes through axes being constrained to non-parallel planes.

Assignees

• Janna Sied W
• Stewart William
• Sanders Roy W
• Smith & Nephew Inc

Inventors

• Janna Sied W
• Stewart William
• Sanders Roy W

Classifications

• A61B17/7291

  for small bones, e.g. in the foot, ankle, hand or wrist · CPC title

• A61B17/725

  with locking pins or screws of special form · CPC title

• A61B17/7233

  with special means of locking the nail to the bone · CPC title

• A61B17/72 Primary

  Intramedullary devices, e.g. pins or nails · CPC title