Sling suspension system for supporting the thumb of a patient after basal joint arthroplasty

Abstract

A sling suspension system for supporting the thumb of a patient after basal joint arthroplasty, the sling suspension system comprising: an index metacarpal anchor, a thumb metacarpal anchor and a sling for securing the thumb metacarpal anchor to the index metacarpal anchor; the index metacarpal anchor comprising at least one bone-engaging element for engaging the index metacarpal and a sling-engaging element for capturing the sling to the index metacarpal anchor; the thumb metacarpal anchor comprising at least one bone-engaging element for engaging the thumb metacarpal and a sling-engaging element for capturing the sling to the thumb metacarpal anchor; and the sling comprising an elongated body having a first anchor-engaging element for securing the sling to the sling-engaging element of the index metacarpal anchor, and a second anchor-engaging element for securing the sling to the sling-engaging element of the thumb metacarpal anchor, wherein the second anchor-engaging element is adjustable.

1 . A sling suspension system for supporting the thumb of a patient after basal joint arthroplasty, said sling suspension system comprising:
 an index metacarpal anchor, a thumb metacarpal anchor and a sling for securing said thumb metacarpal anchor to said index metacarpal anchor;   said index metacarpal anchor comprising at least one bone-engaging element for engaging the index metacarpal and a sling-engaging element for capturing said sling to said index metacarpal anchor;   said thumb metacarpal anchor comprising at least one bone-engaging element for engaging the thumb metacarpal and a sling-engaging element for capturing said sling to said thumb metacarpal anchor; and   said sling comprising an elongated body having a first anchor-engaging element for securing said sling to said sling-engaging element of said index metacarpal anchor, and a second anchor-engaging element for securing said sling to said sling-engaging element of said thumb metacarpal anchor, wherein said second anchor-engaging element is adjustable.   
     
     
         2 . A sling suspension system according to  claim 1  wherein said second anchor-engaging element is adjustable in length. 
     
     
         3 . A sling suspension system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one bone-engaging element of said index metacarpal anchor comprises one from the group consisting of a screw thread and a rib. 
     
     
         4 . A sling suspension system according to  claim 1  wherein said sling-engaging element of said index metacarpal anchor comprises an eyelet. 
     
     
         5 . A sling suspension system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one bone-engaging element of said thumb metacarpal anchor comprises one from the group consisting of a screw thread and a rib. 
     
     
         6 . A sling suspension system according to  claim 1  wherein said sling-engaging element of said thumb metacarpal anchor comprises a shoulder. 
     
     
         7 . A sling suspension system according to  claim 6  wherein said shoulder comprises part of a groove. 
     
     
         8 . A sling suspension system according to  claim 7  wherein said groove extends completely around said thumb metacarpal anchor. 
     
     
         9 . A sling suspension system according to  claim 1  wherein said first anchor-engaging element comprises a knot. 
     
     
         10 . A sling suspension system according to  claim 1  wherein said second anchor-engaging element comprises an adjustable loop. 
     
     
         11 . A sling suspension system according to  claim 10  wherein said adjustable loop is formed by passing said sling through itself. 
     
     
         12 . A sling suspension system according to  claim 10  wherein said adjustable loop is formed by a sliding knot. 
     
     
         13 . A sling suspension system according to  claim 1  wherein said sling is in the form of a filament. 
     
     
         14 . A sling suspension system according to  claim 13  wherein said filament is in the form of a suture. 
     
     
         15 . A method for supporting the thumb of a patient after basal joint arthroplasty, said method comprising:
 securing a first end of a sling to an index metacarpal anchor;   positioning the index metacarpal anchor in the index metacarpal;   adjustably securing the second end of the sling to a thumb metacarpal anchor;   adjusting the securement of the second end of the sling to the thumb metacarpal anchor so that the thumb metacarpal anchor is brought adjacent to the thumb metacarpal; and   inserting the thumb metacarpal anchor into the thumb metacarpal so that the second end of the sling is fixedly secured to the thumb metacarpal anchor, whereby the sling fixedly connects the thumb metacarpal to the index metacarpal.   
     
     
         16 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method for alleviating basal joint arthritis, said method comprising:
 excising the trapezium of a patient;   securing a first end of a sling to an index metacarpal anchor;   positioning the index metacarpal anchor in the index metacarpal;   adjustably securing the second end of the sling to a thumb metacarpal anchor;   adjusting the securement of the second end of the sling to the thumb metacarpal anchor so that the thumb metacarpal anchor is brought adjacent to the thumb metacarpal; and   inserting the thumb metacarpal anchor into the thumb metacarpal so that the second end of the sling is fixedly secured to the thumb metacarpal anchor, whereby the sling fixedly connects the thumb metacarpal to the index metacarpal.