Orthopedic system and corresponding method for treating femoral fractures in skeletally immature patients

Abstract

An orthopedic system and method for treating a femoral fracture in, for example, a skeletally immature patient. The system and method including an intramedullary nail arranged and configured to be implanted within, for example, a femur of a skeletally immature patient. The system and method further including a bone screw (100) including a distal region (110) and a proximal region (130), wherein the distal region (110) is devoid of any threads so that the patient's bone is free to grow overtime.

Description

ORTHOPEDIC SYSTEM AND CORRESPONDING METHOD FOR TREATING FEMORALFRACTURES IN SKELETALLY IMMATURE PATIENTSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a non-provisional of, and claims the benefit of the filing date of, pending U.S. provisional patent application number 63 / 568,524, filed March 22, 2024, entitled “Orthopedic System and Corresponding Method for Treating Femoral Fractures in Skeletally Immature Patients” the entirety of which application is incorporated by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of orthopedics, and more particularly relates to a system, components, and methods for treating femoral fractures in skeletally immature patients.BACKGROUND

[0003] Orthopedic implants are well known and commonplace in today’s society.Orthopedic implants may be used, for example, to stabilize an injury, to support a bone fracture, to fuse a joint, and / or to correct a deformity. Orthopedic implants may be attached permanently or temporarily, and may be attached to the bone at various locations, including implanted within a canal or other cavity of the bone, implanted beneath soft tissue and attached to an exterior surface of the bone, or disposed externally and attached by fasteners such as screws, pins, and / or wires. Some orthopedic implantsallow the position and / or orientation of two or more bone pieces, or two or more bones, to be adjusted relative to one another.

[0004] An intramedullary (“IM”) nail is one type of orthopedic implant. The primary function of the IM nail is to stabilize the fracture fragments of the patient’s bone, and thereby enable load transfer across the fracture site while maintaining anatomical alignment of the bone. Currently, there are a large number of different commercially available IM nails in the marketplace. One well known type of IM nail is a femoral IM nail, which is arranged and configured to be implanted within an intramedullary canal of a patient’s femur. Generally speaking, a femoral IM nail may be used to stabilize and correct a fractured femoral head (e.g., a fractured hip).

[0005] One concern with utilizing orthopedic implants in skeletally immature patients is that intramedullary nailing using fully threaded screws may result in femoral malformities and the fusion of the patient’s growth plates. That is, skeletally immature patients such as adolescent and / or pediatric patients have bones that are still growing. Implanting orthopedic implants such as, for example, a femoral IM nail and corresponding fully threaded bone screws into the patient’s femoral head to stabilize, for example, a fractured hip, may have the adverse impact of fusing the patient’s growth plates and / or one or more malformities. As a result, surgeons try to avoid implanting femoral nails into skeletally immature patients.

[0006] It is with this in mind that the present disclosure is provided.SUMMARY

[0007] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0008] Disclosed herein is an orthopedic system for treating a femoral fracture in a skeletally immature patient. In some examples, the system includes an intramedullary nail and a bone screw. The intramedullary nail is arranged and configured to be implanted within a femur of the skeletally immature patient. The intramedullary nail including a screw opening formed in a proximal end thereof. The bone screw includes a distal region, a proximal region, and a head portion. The distal region is devoid of any threads and the proximal region, which is position between the head portion and the distal region, includes external threads for engaging bone.

[0009] A method for treating a femoral fracture in a skeletally immature patient is also disclosed. In some examples, the method includes implanting an intramedullary (“IM”) nail within an intramedullary canal of a femoral bone of the skeletally immature patient; targeting a first screw opening formed in the implanted IM nail; predrilling a screw hole in the patient’s bone; and inserting a bone screw into the screw hole formed in the patient’s bone and into the screw opening formed in the IM nail, the bone screw extending across the femoral fracture and into a femoral head of the skeletally immature patient. The bone screw includes a non-threaded distal region and a threaded proximalregion, the non-threaded distal region enabling the femoral head of the skeletally immature patient to grow.

[0010] In any preceding or subsequent example, implanting the IM nail within the intramedullary canal of the femoral bone of the skeletally immature patient includes creating an incision to access the patient’s bone, forming an entry portal to the patient’s bone, reaming the intramedullary canal to receive the IM nail, and inserting the IM nail into the intramedullary canal of the patient’s bone.

[0011] An orthopedic system for treating a proximal humerus fracture is also disclosed. In some examples, the proximal humerus fracture may be in a non-skeletally immature patient (i.e., an adult). Alternatively, the proximal humerus fracture may be in a skeletally immature patient. In some examples, the system includes an intramedullary nail and a bone screw. The intramedullary nail is arranged and configured to be implanted within a proximal humerus of a patient, the intramedullary nail including a screw opening formed in a proximal end thereof. The bone screw includes a distal region, a proximal region, and a head portion, wherein the distal region is devoid of any threads and the proximal region, which is position between the head portion and the distal region, includes external threads for engaging bone.

[0012] In any preceding or subsequent example, the distal region includes a smooth outer surface.

[0013] In any preceding or subsequent example, the distal region further includes a blunt tip.

[0014] In any preceding or subsequent example, the blunt tip includes a domedshaped tip.

[0015] In any preceding or subsequent example, the bone screw includes one or more cutting flutes adjacent a distal end of the proximal region.

[0016] In any preceding or subsequent example, the bone screw includes one or more cutting flutes positioned adjacent a starting point of the threads.

[0017] In any preceding or subsequent example, the bone screw includes one or more cutting flutes adjacent a tip of the bone screw.

[0018] In any preceding or subsequent example, the head portion has an enlarged diameter as compared to the proximal region, the head portion including a driver mechanism for engaging a surgical instrument.

[0019] In any preceding or subsequent example, the bone screw includes one or more cutting flutes adjacent the head portion.

[0020] In any preceding or subsequent example, the bone screw includes an overall length of between 65 mm to 110 mm.

[0021] In any preceding or subsequent example, the non-threaded distal region of the bone screw includes a length of between 20 and 25 percent of the overall length.

[0022] In any preceding or subsequent example, the non-threaded distal region has a length between 10mm and 20mm.

[0023] Examples of the present disclosure provide numerous advantages. In one nonlimiting example advantage, a bone screw having a non-threaded distal region may be used in combination with a femoral IM nail or bone plate to stabilize a femoral fracture.A bone screw with a non-threaded distal region enables the skeletally immature patient’s bone to continue to grow without any, or at least reduced, risk of malformities in the femoral neck, which may be caused by fusion of the patient’s growth plate (e.g., bone screw with a non-threaded distal region allows for a head of the patient’s femur to grow off the bone screw without holding it back).

[0024] Further features and advantages of at least some of the examples of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various examples of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] By way of example, specific examples of the disclosed system will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] FIGS. 1A-1F illustrate various perspective views of an example of a bone screw (e.g., a pegged partially threaded bone screw) in accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate various perspective views of an alternate example of a bone screw (e.g., a pegged partially threaded bone screw) in accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate various perspective views of the bone screw shown in FIGS. 1A-1F used in combination with an IM nail, the IM nail and bone screws implanted within a patient’s femur to stabilize the femoral head;

[0029] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of an example of an IM nail which may be used in connection with the bone screw (e.g., pegged partially threaded bone screw) in accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure; and

[0030] FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the IM nail shown in FIG. 4A.

[0031] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the disclosed examples are sometimes illustrated diagrammatically and in partial views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosed methods and devices or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be further understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular examples illustrated herein. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout unless otherwise noted.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Various features or the like of an orthopedic system, components (e.g., bone screw), and methods for stabilizing, for example, a femoral fracture in, for example, a skeletally immature patient will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more features of the system, components, and methods will be shown and described. It should be appreciated that the various features may be used independently of, or in combination, with each other. For example,the bone screw may be used independently and separately from the system and method.Similarly, the system and method may be used independently and separately from the bone screw. In addition, it will be appreciated that the system, components, and methods as disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure will convey certain features to those skilled in the art.

[0033] As will be described herein, in accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure, a bone screw (e.g., a pegged partially threaded bone screw) will be shown and described. In use, the bone screw includes a non-threaded distal region and a threaded proximal region. In addition, in use, the bone screw may be used in combination with, for example, an intramedullary (“IM”) nail such as, for example, a femoral IM nail, to stabilize, for example, a skeletally immature patient’s femoral fracture.

[0034] It should be appreciated that while the present disclosure will describe and illustrate the bone screw being used with a femoral IM nail, and more specifically, in a femoral IM nail to treat skeletally immature patients, the present disclosure should not be so limited unless explicitly claimed. For example, in use, the bone screw may be used with a femoral nail in non-skeletally immature patients (i.e., adults). Alternatively, the bone screw may be used with other orthopedic implants such as, for example, an orthopedic bone plate. Alternatively, the bone screw may be used in other applications such as, for example, in connection with implantation into other parts of the patient’s body. For example, the orthopedic IM nail may be configured as a proximal humerus IMnail. In some examples, the proximal humerus IM nail may be utilized in skeletally immature patients or adults (e.g., surgeons do not have to thread across the physis thus enabling the bone screw and IM nail to be utilized in adults as well as skeletally immature patients). Alternatively, the bone screw may be used in connection with a proximal tibial nail. Alternatively, the bone screw may be used to treat the ankle, for example, the bone screw may be used in connection with a hindfoot arthrodesis nail. Moreover, in some examples, the bone screw may be used as a stand-alone screw. As such, the present disclosure should not be limited to a specific type of IM nail unless specifically claimed.

[0035] In accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure, an example of a bone screw is disclosed. Referring to FIGS. 1A-1F, the bone screw 100 includes a distal region 110, a proximal region 130, and a head portion 150. As illustrated, in accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure, the distal region 110 is non-threaded (e.g., devoid of any threads thereby providing the outer surface with a substantially smooth outer surface). The proximal region 130 includes external threads 132. Thus arranged, the bone screw 100 may be referred to as a pegged partially threaded screw.

[0036] As will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the head portion 150 may be arranged and configured as an enlarged head portion (e.g., head portion may have an outer diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the shaft portion thereof (e.g., proximal and / or distal regions)). As illustrated, the head portion 150includes a driver mechanism 152 (FIG. IF) for engaging a surgical instrument such as, for example, a screwdriver, a hex driver, a powered instrument, etc. In use, the driver mechanism 152 may be any suitable mechanism for engaging a corresponding tool such as, for example, a hex, a Philips, or straight slot for coupling with a corresponding screwdriver, etc. In some examples, the head portion 150 may include a concave outer surface 154. In use, providing an enlarged head portion 150 with a concave outer surface 154 minimizes the possibility that the bone cracks upon implantation. As illustrated, the head portion 150 may also include a cutting flute 156 arranged and configured to cut the patient’s bone upon implantation to facilitate insertion of the head portion 150 of the bone screw 100 into the patient’s bone.

[0037] As previously mentioned, the proximal region 130 of the bone screw 100 includes external threads 132. In some examples, as illustrated, the external threads 132 may be a continuous thread that extends from the distal end 131 of the proximal region 130 towards, or to, the head portion 150. In use, the threads 132 may be provided in any size, configuration, pitch, etc. now known or hereafter developed.

[0038] As previously mentioned, the distal region 110 of the bone screw 100 is devoid of any threads and, thus arranged, is substantially smooth. In use, the distal region110 extends from a tip 112 of the bone screw 100 to the distal end 131 of the proximal region 130. In some examples, as illustrated, the tip 112 may be configured with a blunt or domed-shaped tip in contrast to a sharp or pointed tip as conventionally known in theprior art. Thus arranged, risk of penetrating through the patient’s bone (e.g., epiphyseal plate) is reduced.

[0039] In accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure, the bone screw 100 may include one or more cutting flutes, cutting features, cutting grooves, or the like 140 (terms used interchangeably herein without the intent to limit or distinguish). As illustrated, in some examples, the cutting flutes 140 are positioned at the distal end 131 of the proximal region 130 (e.g., at the start of the external threads 132). The cutting flutes 140 extending longitudinally (e.g., the cutting flutes 140 are arranged and configured parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bone screw 100). In some examples, the cutting flutes 140 are positioned circumferentially about the outer surface of the bone screw 100. For example, the bone screw 100 may include a pair (e.g., first and second) diametrically opposed cutting flutes 140, although this is one configuration and the bone screw 100 may include any number of cutting flutes 140 including, zero, one, three, four, or more. While the cutting flutes 140 are shown and described as being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bone screw 100, alternate configurations are envisioned. For example, it is envisioned that the cutting flutes 140 may be aligned perpendicular or at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bone screw 100. In use, the one or more cutting flutes 140 may be provided in any suitable form arranged and configured to cut or enlarge the patient’s bone B during insertion (e.g., rotation) of the proximal region 130 of the bone screw 100 into the patient’s bone B (e.g., cutting flutes 140 are positioned at the start of the external threads 132 to allow tapping of the bone screw 100 as it is implanted into the patient’s bone).

[0040] With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an alternate example of a bone screw 200 in accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure is disclosed. In use, the bone 200 is substantially similar to bone screw 100 previously described, thus for the sake of brevity, description of the bone screw 200 is omitted herefrom but for difference therebetween.

[0041] With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the bone screw 200 includes one or more cutting flutes 240 position adjacent to the tip 212 thereof.

[0042] In use, the bone screw 100, 200 may be manufactured from any suitable material now known or hereafter developed including, for example, a metal, a plastic or polymer, etc. In addition, and / or alternatively, the bone screw 100, 200 may have any suitable length such as, for example, between 22.5mm and 125mm, preferably between 65mm and 110mm, which may be provided in 2.5mm increments, and / or any suitable diameter such as, for example, 3.5mm, 5mm, or the like, preferably 4.5mm. In some examples, the non-threaded distal region 110 may comprise between 10 and 50 percent of the overall length, preferably between 15 and 30 percent of the overall length, more preferably between 20 and 25 percent of the overall length. The non-threaded distal region 110 may have a length between 10 and 20mm, although this is but some configurations and any suitable lengths can be used.

[0043] With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an exemplary method of treating a femoral fracture in a skeletally immature patient will be described. In use, an IM nail such as, for example, a femoral IM nail 300 may be implanted into the intramedullarycanal of a femur of a skeletally immature patient. In use, any suitable IM nail now known or hereafter developed may be used. In addition, and / or alternatively, as previously mentioned, a bone plate may be used in combination with, or in place of, the IM nail. As such, the present disclosure should not be limited to any particular type of IM nail unless explicitly claimed.

[0044] In use, as will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, implanting the IM nail 300 within the intramedullary canal of a femoral bone B of a skeletally immature patient may include creating an incision to access the patient’s bone B, forming an entry portal to the patient’s bone B, reaming the intramedullary canal to receive the IM nail 300, and inserting the IM nail 300 into the intramedullary canal of the patient’s bone B. Next, a first screw opening 310 formed in the implanted IM nail 300 may be located. For example, a screw opening 310 formed in a proximal or driven end of the IM nail 300 may be located using any suitable mechanism or means now known or hereafter developed.

[0045] Thereafter, in accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure, with the IM nail 300 implanted within the bone B of a skeletally immature patient, once the first screw opening 310 formed in the implanted IM nail 300 has been located, the surgeon may predrill a pilot hole in the patient’s bone B to access the first screw opening 310 formed in the IM nail 300. In some examples, the pilot hole is appropriately sized so that the diameter of the pilot hole is the same, or substantially the same, to slightly bigger than the diameter of the non-threaded distal region 110 of the bone screw 100, 200.

[0046] Next, a bone screw 100, 200 can be implanted into the patient’s bone B, using the pilot hole. The bone screw 100, 200 passing through screw opening 310 formed in the IM nail 300, across the fracture site F and into the femoral head of the skeletally immature patient.

[0047] Thus arranged, the bone screw 100, 200 is arranged and configured to extend through the IM nail 300 and into the patient’s femoral head. In use, the bone screw 100, 200 extends across the fracture site F. Thus arranged, in accordance with features of the present disclosure, by providing the non-threaded distal region 110, the bone B of the skeletally immature patient is permitted to grow thereby reducing the likelihood of femoral malformities and the fusion of the patient’s growth plates. By providing the nonthreaded distal region 110, the bone screw 100, 200 does not prevent the bone (e.g., femoral head) from growing.

[0048] With continued reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the method may be repeated to insert a second bone screw such as, for example, a second bone screw into a second screw opening 312 formed in the IM nail 300.

[0049] As generally shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the bone screw 100, 200 extends through a screw opening 310, 312 formed in the IM nail 300 and into the patient’s femoral head F. In some examples, the screw opening 310, 312 may be non-threaded. Alternatively, with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, in some examples, the screw opening 310, 312 may include a mechanical feature to assist surgeons with inserting the bone screw 100, 200 into the patient’s bone. The mechanical feature may be any suitablefeature or mechanism now known or hereafter developed to assist surgeons with implanting (e.g., driving) the bone screw into the patient’s bone.

[0050] As illustrated, in some examples, the mechanical feature may be in the form of a locking ridge 320 (e.g., projection) arranged and configured to interact with the threads of the bone screw 100, 200. In other examples, the mechanical feature may be in the form of one or more threads arranged and configured to interact with the threads of the bone screw 100, 200. In yet other examples, the screw opening 310, 312 formed in the IM nail 300 may be completely devoid of any mechanical feature and a mechanical feature may be incorporated into the surgical instrumentation such as, for example, in a drill guide or sleeve.

[0051] Moreover, in some examples, the screw opening 310, 312 can be circular. Alternatively, the screw opening 310, 312 can be elongated (e.g., an elongated slot). In some examples, the screw opening 310, 312 can be arranged and configured as a locking screw opening. Alternatively, the screw opening 310, 312 can be arranged and configured as a variable angled screw opening.

[0052] That is, as will be generally understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the screw opening 310, 312 may be in the form of a locking screw opening, which may include one or more threads formed on an inner surface thereof for mating with threads formed on an outer surface of the bone screw. Alternatively, in some examples, the screw opening 310, 312 may be in the form of a variable angled screw opening. In use, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, variable angled openings arearranged and configured to receive a non-locking or variable angled (e.g., polyaxial) bone screw. In use, the variable angled screw openings are arranged and configured to enable the bone screw inserted therein to achieve a greater range of insertion angles as compared to, for example, a locking screw that is threadably coupled to the IM nail. In use, the variable angled screw opening may be provided in any suitable manner, configuration, etc. now known or hereafter developed for enabling polyaxial positioning or angling of the screw relative to the IM nail.

[0053] In some examples, the variable angled screw opening may include a plurality of fins or tabs that extend radially inward from an inner surface of the variable angled screw opening and into an interior region of the variable angled screw opening, and which are configured to engage or cooperate with the screw. In use, the fins or tabs engage threads or the like formed on the bone screw in order to secure the bone screw at a desired position and at a desired angular orientation within the variable angled screw opening.

[0054] In accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure, the bone screw 100, 200 may be used to treat slipped capital femoral epiphysis, SCFEs. That is, SCFEs may occur naturally in skeletally immature patients. SCFEs occurs when the ballshaped head of the femur slips off the neck of the femur. SCFEs may occur in skeletally immature patients due to a weakened growth plate, causing hip pain and limping (e g., essentially, the ball-shaped femoral head partially slides off its socket due to a fracture inthe growth plate). These fusions and malformities can result in Avascular Necrosis(AVN).

[0055] In accordance with one or more features of the present disclosure, the bone screws (partially non-threaded pegs) 100, 200 may be used to treat SCFEs. In use, one or more bone screws (partially non-threaded pegs) 100, 200 may be inserted directly into the femoral head (e.g., without an IM nail) as a stand-alone device. Thus arranged, the femoral head may be fixed while still enabling the patient’s bone to grow. That is, in accordance with features of the present disclosure, by providing the non-threaded distal region 110, the bone B of the skeletally immature patient is permitted to grow thereby reducing the likelihood of femoral malformities and the fusion of the patient’s growth plates. By providing the non-threaded distal region 110, the bone screw 100, 200 does not prevent the bone (e.g., femoral head) from growing. In use, by providing bone screws 100, 200 with a non-threaded distal region (partially non-threaded pegs), the bone screws 100, 200 prevents, or at least minimizes, any further damage to the epiphysis while still enabling femoral head fixation to treat the SCFEs.

[0056] Alternatively, one or more bone screws (partially non-threaded pegs) 100, 200 may be used in combination with a bone plate to treat SCFEs. This screw to plate system creates fixed angle fixation to metaphyseal bone. In use, metaphyseal bone isn't great so the screw allows surgeons to protect the epiphysis while still holding on to bad bone.

[0057] The foregoing description has broad application. While the present disclosure refers to certain examples, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to thedescribed examples are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present disclosure, as defined in the appended claim(s). Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the described examples. Rather these examples should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. All changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure. The present disclosure should be given the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof. The discussion of any example is meant only to be explanatory and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples. In other words, while illustrative examples of the disclosure have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed, and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations, except as limited by the prior art. Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure belongs.

[0058] Directional terms such as top, bottom, superior, inferior, medial, lateral, anterior, posterior, proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, longitudinal, front, back, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counter-clockwise) and the like may have been used herein. Such directional references are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader’s understanding of the present disclosure. For example, the term “distal” may refer to the end farthest away from the medical professional / operator when introducing a device into a patient, while the term“proximal” may refer to the end closest to the medical professional when introducing a device into a patient. Such directional references do not necessarily create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of this disclosure. As such, directional references should not be limited to specific coordinate orientations, distances, or sizes, but are used to describe relative positions referencing particular examples. Such terms are not generally limiting to the scope of the claims made herein. Any example or feature of any section, portion, or any other component shown or particularly described in relation to various examples of similar sections, portions, or components herein may be interchangeably applied to any other similar examples or feature shown or described herein.

[0059] It should be understood that, as described herein, an "example" (such as illustrated in the accompanying Figures) may refer to an illustrative representation of an environment or article or component in which a disclosed concept or feature may be provided or embodied, or to the representation of a manner in which just the concept or feature may be provided or embodied. However, such illustrated examples are to be understood as examples (unless otherwise stated), and other manners of embodying the described concepts or features, such as may be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art upon learning the concepts or features from the present disclosure, are within the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, references to “one example” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional examples that also incorporate the recited features.

[0060] In addition, it will be appreciated that while the Figures may show one or more examples of concepts or features together in a single example of an environment, article, or component incorporating such concepts or features, such concepts or features are to be understood (unless otherwise specified) as independent of and separate from each other and are shown together for the sake of convenience and without intent to limit to being present or used together. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one example can be used separately, or with another example to yield a still further example. Thus, it is intended that the present subject matter covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0061] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” or “includes” and / or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, regions, steps, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0062] The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and / or,” as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.

[0063] Connection references (e.g., engaged, attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between acollection of elements and relative to movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. Identification references (e.g., primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth, etc.) are not intended to connote importance or priority, but are used to distinguish one feature from another. The drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relative to sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.

[0064] The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. For example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more examples or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.However, it should be understood that various features of the certain examples or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate examples or configurations. Moreover, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate example of the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. An orthopedic system for treating a femoral fracture in a skeletally immature patient, the system comprising: an intramedullary nail arranged and configured to be implanted within a femur of the skeletally immature patient, the intramedullary nail including a screw opening formed in a proximal end thereof; and a bone screw comprising: a distal region, a proximal region, and a head portion, wherein the distal region is devoid of any threads and the proximal region, which is position between the head portion and the distal region, includes external threads for engaging bone.

2. The orthopedic system of claim 1, wherein the distal region includes a smooth outer surface.

3. The orthopedic system of claim 1, wherein the distal region further includes a blunt tip.

4. The orthopedic system of claim 3, wherein the blunt tip includes a domedshaped tip.

5. The orthopedic system of claim 1, wherein the bone screw includes one or more cutting flutes adjacent a distal end of the proximal region.

6. The orthopedic system of claim 1, wherein the bone screw includes one or more cutting flutes positioned adjacent a starting point of the threads.

7. The orthopedic system of claim 1, wherein the bone screw includes one or more cutting flutes adjacent a tip of the bone screw.

8. The orthopedic system of claim 1, wherein the head portion has an enlarged diameter as compared to the proximal region, the head portion including a driver mechanism for engaging a surgical instrument.

9. The orthopedic system of claim 8, wherein the bone screw includes one or more cutting flutes adjacent the head portion.

10. The orthopedic system of claim 1, wherein the bone screw includes an overall length of between 65 mm to 110 mm.

11. The orthopedic system of claim 10, wherein the non-threaded distal region of the bone screw includes a length of between 20 and 25 percent of the overall length.

12. The orthopedic system of claim 10, wherein the non-threaded distal region has a length between 10mm and 20mm.

13. A method for treating a femoral fracture in a skeletally immature patient, the method comprising:implanting an intramedullary (“IM”) nail within an intramedullary canal of a femoral bone of the skeletally immature patient; targeting a first screw opening formed in the implanted IM nail; predrilling a screw hole in the patient’s bone; and inserting a bone screw into the screw hole formed in the patient’s bone and into the screw opening formed in the IM nail, the bone screw extending across the femoral fracture and into a femoral head of the skeletally immature patient; wherein the bone screw includes a non-threaded distal region and a threaded proximal region, the non-threaded distal region enabling the femoral head of the skeletally immature patient to grow.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein implanting the IM nail within the intramedullary canal of the femoral bone of the skeletally immature patient includes creating an incision to access the patient’s bone, forming an entry portal to the patient’s bone, reaming the intramedullary canal to receive the IM nail, and inserting the IM nail into the intramedullary canal of the patient’s bone.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the distal region of the bone screw includes a smooth outer surface.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the distal region of the bone screw includes a blunt tip.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the blunt tip includes a domed-shaped tip.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the bone screw includes one or more cutting flutes adjacent a distal end of the proximal region.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the bone screw includes one or more cutting flutes positioned adjacent a starting point of the threads.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the bone screw includes one or more cutting flutes adjacent a tip of the bone screw.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the bone screw includes an overall length of between 65 mm to 110 mm.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-threaded distal region of the bone screw includes a length of between 20 and 25 percent of the overall length.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-threaded distal region has a length between 10mm and 20mm.

24. An orthopedic system for treating a proximal humerus fracture, the system comprising: an intramedullary nail arranged and configured to be implanted within a proximal humerus of a patient, the intramedullary nail including a screw opening formed in a proximal end thereof; anda bone screw comprising: a distal region, a proximal region, and a head portion, wherein the distal region is devoid of any threads and the proximal region, which is position between the head portion and the distal region, includes external threads for engaging bone.

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