Methods of Implanting Transcutaneous Joint Unloading Devices

Abstract

Various methods for treating a joint are disclosed herein. According to one method, a joint is surgically treated by performing a surgical repair treatment on tissue within the joint capsule; implanting a load reducing device at the joint and entirely outside of the joint capsule to reduce load transmitted by the treated tissue to allow for the tissue within the joint capsule to heal; and partially unloading the joint during healing of the surgical repair site.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of treating a joint, comprising:
 attaching a first anchor portion of a first percutaneous anchor to a first member of the joint;   attaching a second anchor portion of a second percutaneous anchor to a second member of the joint; and   attaching a load absorber to the first and second anchors so that a load absorbing portion of the load absorber is disposed externally of a user's skin by attaching a first and a second mating portion of the load absorber to first and second anchor mating portions of the first and second anchors, the load absorbing portion being disposed between the first and the second mating portions, the load absorbing portion comprising a single load absorbing pivot, the load absorber being attached so that the load absorbing pivot is pivotable at least about an axis substantially aligned with an axis of rotation of the first and second members of the joint.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the load absorbing portion comprises an absorber and an arm pivotably attached to the absorber at a pivot point of the load absorbing pivot, the method comprising adjusting a position of the pivot point relative to the first and second members of the joint by changing an attachment between the first mating portion and the first anchor mating portion. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first anchor comprises upper and lower screws and upper and lower links adjustably attached at first ends thereof to the upper and lower screws, respectively, and, at second ends thereof, to the arm, and wherein the lower link is lockable relative to the arm at one of a plurality of locking points, the position of the pivot point being adjusted by changing a locking point of the lower link relative to the arm. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first anchor comprises upper and lower screws and upper and lower links adjustably attached at first ends thereof to the upper and lower screws, respectively, and, at second ends thereof, to the arm, wherein the upper and lower links are adjustably attached to the upper and lower screws and adapted to pivot about the longitudinal axes of the upper and lower screws, and wherein the upper and lower links are locked to the arm so that the upper and lower links form a plurality of pairs of upper and lower link angles relative to the arm, the position of the pivot point being adjusted by changing the upper and lower link angles. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , comprising attaching a second load absorber to the first and second anchors so that the second load absorbing portion is disposed externally of a user's skin by attaching a first and a second mating portion of the second load absorber to second first and second anchor mating portions of the first and second anchors, the second load absorber having a load absorbing portion disposed between the second first and the second mating portions. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , comprising attaching the first anchor and the second anchor to the first and second members of the joint so that the first and second mating portions are at least partially subcutaneous. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the joint is a knee joint. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method of treating a joint, comprising:
 attaching a first anchor portion at a first end of a first percutaneous anchor to a first member of the joint;   attaching a second anchor portion at a first end of a second percutaneous anchor to a second member of the joint; and   attaching a load absorber to the first and second anchors so that a load absorbing portion of the load absorber is disposed externally of a user's skin by attaching a first and a second mating portion of the load absorber to first and second anchor mating portions of the first and second anchors at second ends of the first and second anchors opposite the first ends of the first and second anchors, the load absorbing portion being disposed between the first and the second mating portions, and the first ends of the first and second anchors being disposed subcutaneously.   
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method of treating a joint, comprising:
 attaching a first anchor portion of a first percutaneous anchor to a first member of the joint;   attaching a second anchor portion of a second percutaneous anchor to a second member of the joint; and   attaching a single load absorber to the first and second anchors so that a load absorbing portion of the load absorber is disposed externally of a user's skin only on one side of the joint by attaching a first and a second mating portion of the load absorber to first and second anchor mating portions of the first and second anchors, the load absorbing portion disposed between the first and the second mating portions.   
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A method of treating a joint, comprising:
 attaching a first anchor portion of a first percutaneous anchor to a first member of the joint;   attaching a second anchor portion of a second percutaneous anchor to a second member of the joint; and   attaching a load absorber to the first and second anchors so that a load absorbing portion of the load absorber is disposed externally of a user's skin by attaching a first and a second mating portion of the load absorber to first and second anchor mating portions of the first and second anchors, the load absorbing portion disposed between the first and the second mating portions, wherein the first and the second mating portions and the first and second anchor mating portions comprise quick-disconnect couplings.   
     
     
         36 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A method of treating a joint, comprising:
 attaching a first anchor portion of a first percutaneous anchor to a first member of the joint by at least one bone screw;   attaching a second anchor portion of a second percutaneous anchor to a second member of the joint by one bone screw; and   attaching a load absorber to the first and second anchors so that a load absorbing portion of the load absorber is disposed externally of a user's skin by attaching a first and a second mating portion of the load absorber to first and second anchor mating portions of the first and second anchors, the load absorbing portion disposed between the first and the second mating portions.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , comprising affixing the first anchor portion to the first member of the joint by two bone screws. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , comprising affixing the second percutaneous anchor to a tibia of a knee joint.