Method and instrumentation for performing minimally invasive hip arthroplasty

Abstract

A broaching instrument and method using a segmented broach head. First and second broach segments are laterally engageable with each other in vivo, and are aligned with each other on a common longitudinal axis when so engaged. The method involves making a small anterior incision adjacent a patient's femur, inserting the broach segments sequentially through the anterior incision, interconnecting the plurality of broach segments in vivo, connecting the broach handle to the broach segments, and broaching the proximal medullary canal with the assembled multi-part broach instrument.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 534,270, filed Jan. 5, 2004, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 912,644, filed Aug. 5, 2004, both of which applications are hereby incorporated by reference along with the following applications filed on Jan. 5, 2005: Attorney Docket No. 13007-24B entitled Method And Instrumentation For Performing Minimally Invasive Hip Arthroplasty and filed in the name of Troy W. Hershberger and Kimberly S. Parcher, and Attorney Docket No. 13007-24C entitled Method And Instrumentation For Performing Minimally Invasive Hip Arthroplasty and filed in the name of Troy W. Hershberger.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing hip arthroplasty, and more particularly to broach instruments and methods for preparing the proximal femur to receive a femoral implant as part of an implantable hip prosthesis. [0003] In one ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is a novel method of preparing the proximal medullary canal of a patient's femur using a multi-part broaching instrument which includes a broach handle and a segmented broach head having a plurality of broach segments. The method comprises making a small anterior incision adjacent a patient's femur, inserting the broach segments sequentially through the anterior incision, interconnecting the plurality of broach segments in vivo, connecting the broach handle to the broach segments, and broaching the proximal medullary canal with the assembled multi-part broach instrument.

Problems solved by technology

There are disadvantages associated with the prior method and instrumentation described above.

Also, damage may be caused to the muscle fibers as well as the skin margins by excessive stretching of tissue and by repeatedly passing the broach and other instrumentation into and out of the posterior lateral incision.

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