Humeral head preserving implant

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/916,102 filed on Aug. 11, 2004. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

A humeral prosthesis for total shoulder joint replacement generally includes a prosthetic humeral stem and a prosthetic humeral head which replaces the natural humeral head and is disposed within the shoulder socket. For three and four-part humeral head split fractures in which the blood supply to the fragments is compromised, a hemiarthroplasty can be performed, also replacing the humeral head with a prosthetic head.

In some humeral fractures, however, blood supply to the head fragment may be adequate, such as, for example, when the head is still attached to one of the tuberosities. In such cases, repairing and salvaging the natural head is preferable to replacing it. Accordingly, prostheses that allow retention and/or repair of the natural humeral head are still desirable.

Various aspects of the invention teach a modular humeral implant and associated kit and method for implantation into a humerus that includes a natural humeral shaft and a natural humeral head. The modular implant includes a humeral stem for implantation into the natural humeral shaft, and an adapter. The adapter includes an anchoring projection and is operable for coupling to the humeral stem. The anchoring projection is adapted for insertion into an underside of the natural humeral head.

The present teachings also provide a method for implanting a modular humeral prosthesis to repair a humeral fracture in which the natural humeral head is still attached to a portion of the natural humeral shaft. The method includes rotating the natural humeral head to expose the proximal surface of the natural humeral shaft without severing the attachment. A longitudinal bore is prepared into the humeral shaft. An adapter is coupled to one of the natural humeral head and a humeral stem, and the humeral stem is implanted into the longitudinal bore. The natural humeral head is rotated onto the natural humeral shaft such that the adapter is inserted into the other of the natural humeral head and the humeral stem, and the natural humeral head substantially contacts the natural humeral shaft.

The present teachings also provide a modular humeral implant for implantation into a humerus that includes a natural humeral shaft and a natural humeral head. The implant includes a humeral stem for implantation into the natural humeral shaft, and a plurality of fasteners fastening the natural humeral shaft through the humeral stem to the natural humeral head.

The present teachings also provide a method for implanting a modular humeral prosthesis to repair a humeral fracture in which the natural humeral head is still attached to a portion of the natural humeral shaft. The method includes rotating the natural humeral head to expose a proximal surface of the natural humeral shaft without severing the attachment, preparing a longitudinal bore into the natural humeral shaft; inserting the humeral stem into the bore, rotating the natural humeral head onto the proximal surface of the natural humeral shaft, drilling a plurality of angled bores extending from natural humeral shaft though the humeral stem to the natural humeral head, and inserting fasteners through the angled bores to attach the natural humeral shaft to the natural humeral head.

In another aspect, the present teachings provide a modular humeral implant for implantation into a humerus that includes a natural humeral shaft and a natural humeral head. The implant includes a humeral stem implantable into the natural humeral shaft, and an adapter couplable to the humeral stem, the adapter including an anchoring projection forming a disk directly insertable into an underside of the natural humeral head.

In another aspect the implant includes a humeral stem for implantation into the natural humeral shaft, and an anchoring portion in the form of a substantially planar plate including a plurality of suturing holes, the planar plate coupled to the humeral stem with a taper lock connection and adapted for insertion into an underside of the natural humeral head.

In yet another aspect, the implant includes a humeral stem for implantation into the natural humeral shaft, and an anchoring portion in the form of a substantially planar circular disk including a plurality of suturing holes. The anchoring portion includes a tapered projection received in a tapered recess of the humeral stem, and the disk is adapted for insertion into a recess formed in an underside of the natural humeral head.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a humeral implant according to the present teachings;

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a humeral implant according to the present teachings;

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Previous Patent Application:
Shoulder or hip prosthesis and method for setting same
Next Patent Application:
Ball joint or cap implant for an artificial hip joint
Industry Class:
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or aids and accessories therefor

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