Systems and methods for installing ankle replacement prostheses

Abstract

An ankle implant for use in ankle arthroplasty in total ankle replacement is provided. The implant includes an upper prosthesis anchored to the tibia and a lower prosthesis anchored to the talus. The lower prosthesis is operable associated with the upper prosthesis. The implant also includes a stem which is rigidly removably connected to the second member. The stem includes a portion for attachment to the calcaneous. The stem is be adapted to be in a first position in the calcaneous when the stem is in a first relative position with respect to the lower prosthesis, and to provide for a second position in the calcaneous when the stem is in a second relative position with respect to the lower prosthesis.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An implant for use in ankle arthroplasty comprising: a first member for cooperation with the tibia; a second member for cooperation with the talus and operably associated with the first member; and a third member rigidly removably connectable to said second member, said third member including a portion thereof for attachment to the calcaneous, said third member adapted to provide for a first position in the calcaneous when said third member is in a first relative position with respect to said second member and to provide for a second position in the calcaneous when said third member is in a second relative position with respect to said second member. 
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein one of said second member and said third member comprises a protrusion and wherein the other of said second member and said third member defines a cavity for receiving the protrusion. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 2 , wherein the protrusion has a periphery a portion of which is conofrustrical. 
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a bearing member positioned between said first member and said second member, said bearing member moveably associated with said first member and with said second member. 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein said second member comprises a first portion operably associated with said first member and a second portion removably attached to said first portion, said second portion for cooperation with the talus. 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 5 , wherein said second portion has an enlarged surface area to provide additional support for the implant on the talus. 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener to connect said third member to said second member. 
     
     
         8 . A kit for use in assembling an implant for use in ankle arthroplasty comprising: a first member for cooperation with the tibia; a second member operably associated with the first member; a third member rigidly removably connectable to said second member, said third member including a portion thereof for attachment to the talus; and a fourth member rigidly removably connectable to said second member, said fourth member including a portion thereof for attachment to the talus, the fourth member having at least one dimension different that a dimension of said third member. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 8 , wherein one of said second member and said third member comprises a protrusion and wherein the other of said second member and said third member defines a cavity for receiving the protrusion. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 9 , wherein the protrusion has a periphery a portion of which is conofrustrical. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 8 , further comprising a bearing member positioned between said first member and said second member, said bearing member moveably associated with said first member and with said second member. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 8 , further comprising a tibia connecting member operably associated with the first member. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 8 , wherein said fourth member includes a portion thereof for attachment to the calcaneus. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 8 , wherein said second member comprises a first portion operably associated with said first member and a second portion removably attached to said first portion, said second portion for cooperation with the talus. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein said second portion has an enlarged surface area to provide additional support for the implant on the talus. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 8 , further comprising a fastener to connect said third member to said second member. 
     
     
         17 . A talar component for use in an implant for use in ankle arthroplasty comprising: a first member for cooperation with the talus; and a second member rigidly removably connectable to said first member, said second member including a portion thereof for attachment to the calcaneous, said second member adapted to provide for a first position in the calcaneous when said second member is in a first relative position with respect to said first member and to provide for a second position in the calcaneous when said second member is in a second relative position with respect to said first member. 
     
     
         18 . The talar component of  claim 17 , wherein one of said first member and said second member comprises a protrusion and wherein the other of said first member and said second member defines a cavity for receiving the protrusion. 
     
     
         19 . The talar component of  claim 18 , wherein said protrusion has a periphery a portion of which is conofrustrical. 
     
     
         20 . The talar component of  claim 17 , wherein said first member comprises a first portion and a second portion removably attached to said first portion, said second portion for cooperation with the talus. 
     
     
         21 . The talar component of  claim 20 , wherein said second portion has an enlarged surface area to provide additional support for the implant on the talus. 
     
     
         22 . The talar component of  claim 17 , further comprising a fastener to connect said second member to said first member. 
     
     
         23 . A method for providing ankle arthroplasty comprising: providing an ankle prosthesis kit including an tibial component, a bearing component, a talar articulating component, a first talar mounting component, and a second talar mounting component having at least one dimension different than the first talar mounting component; cutting an incision in the patient; Preparing the talar cavity and the tibia cavity; implanting the tibial component into the tibial cavity; selecting one of the first talar mounting component and the second talar mounting component; implanting the selected one of the first talar mounting component and the second talar mounting component into the talar cavity; and positioning the bearing component between the tibial component and the selected one of the first talar mounting component and the second talar mounting component.