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Method for resecting the knee using a resection guide and provisional prosthetic component

  • US 5,458,645 A
  • Filed: 02/23/1993
  • Issued: 10/17/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1992
  • Status: Expired
First Claim
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1. A method of knee joint arthroplasty comprising preparing a distal femur to accept a femoral component in knee replacement surgery wherein the femoral intramedullary canal is used as the reference point for all resection cuts comprising the steps of:

  • i. incrementally reaming the intramedullary canal out to cortical bone with a reamer means;

    ii. leaving said reamer means in place and attaching thereto a distal cutting guide;

    iii. resecting medial and lateral distal surfaces of said femur along said distal cutting guide;

    iv. replacing said distal cutting guide with a posterior cutting guide and resecting medial and lateral posterior condylar surfaces of said femur along said posterior cutting guide;

    v. removing said posterior cutting guide and reamer, attaching a provisional intramedullary stem to a provisional femoral component, said provisional femoral component including an anterior cutting guide formed therein and an outer surface replicating the size of a permanent femoral component, and inserting said stem into said intramedullary canal;

    vi. evaluating flexion/extension gaps of the knee and patella tracking relative to said provisional femoral component and establishing correct gaps and soft tissue balance of said knee relative to the anatomical size of said knee;

    vii. resecting an anterior surface of said femur along said anterior cutting guide of said provisional femoral component; and

    viii. removing said provisional stem and provisional component and inserting a permanent femoral component corresponding to said provisional component.

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