Methods of implanting glenoid inlay

Abstract

The invention features a glenoid (shoulder socket) implant prosthesis, a humeral implant prosthesis, devices for implanting glenoid and humeral implant prostheses, and methods of their use for the treatment of an injured or damaged shoulder.

1 . A method for repairing a damaged shoulder joint of a patient, said method comprising:
 (a) producing an incision of no more than about  9  centimeters to expose the humerus and glenoid, wherein the pectoralis tendon and the majority of the inferior capsule remain intact during said exposure;   (b) preparing the glenoid by reaming; and   (c) implanting a glenoid implant at the site of said reamed glenoid, such that the glenoid implant articulates with the humerus.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glenoid labrum is intact at the completion of step (a). 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises implanting a humeral implant to replace a humeral head of said patient's humerus, wherein said humeral implant comprises a stem that is less than 70 mm in length and less than 40 mm in width anterior to posterior, wherein said stem comprises a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the distal end portion being sized to be received in the shaft of a humerus and the proximal portion having a fin positioned to fix said implant in said humerus and a support surface extending radially from said stem and being adapted for engagement by humeral head means, and wherein the support surface comprises a central opening extending down through the stem and being sized to receive a morse taper of said humeral head means; and
 a humeral head means engaged to said humeral implant.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said damage is caused by arthritis or injury. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said implanting a glenoid implant step comprises insetting the implant within the cortical bone so that said glenoid implant is circumferentially surrounded by cortical bone of said glenoid. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said glenoid implant further comprises a short peg on the medial surface of said glenoid implant. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said short peg is no more than about 8 millimeters (mm) in length. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising securing the glenoid implant to said glenoid using cement. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising securing the glenoid implant to said glenoid by press-fit. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising securing the glenoid implant to said glenoid using one or more surgical screws. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising securing said humeral implant using bone cement. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising securing said humeral implant by press-fit.