Joint kinematic reconstruction techniques

Abstract

A method for reconstructing a joint according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, fixating at least one suture inside a joint space, retrieving the at least one suture from inside the joint space, passing the at least one suture through a graft at a location external to the joint space, shuttling the graft into the joint space, and fixating the graft using the at least one suture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical method, comprising:
 debriding a superior glenoid and a greater tuberosity of a humerus of a glenohumeral joint;   measuring a first anterior-posterior distance associated with the superior glenoid;   measuring a first medial-lateral distance either between an anterior aspect of the superior glenoid and an anterior aspect of the greater tuberosity or between a posterior aspect of the superior glenoid and a posterior aspect of the greater tuberosity;   sizing a graft based at least on the first anterior-posterior distance and the first medial-lateral distance,   shuttling the sized graft through a cannula to the glenohumeral joint;   fixating the graft to the glenoid with at least a first suture anchor and a second suture anchor inserted into the glenoid; and   fixating the graft to the humerus with at least a third suture anchor and a fourth suture anchor inserted into the humerus.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 1 , comprising:
 measuring a second anterior-posterior distance associated with the greater tuberosity; and   sizing the graft based at least on the first anterior-posterior distance, the second anterior-posterior distance, and the first medial-lateral distance.   
     
     
         3 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 1 , comprising:
 measuring a second medial-lateral distance between the other of the anterior aspect of the superior glenoid and the anterior aspect of the greater tuberosity or between the posterior aspect of the superior glenoid and the posterior aspect of the greater tuberosity; and   sizing the graft based at least on the first anterior-posterior distance, the first medial-lateral distance, and the second medial-lateral distance.   
     
     
         4 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 1 , comprising:
 measuring a second anterior-posterior distance associated with the greater tuberosity; and   measuring a second medial-lateral distance between the other of the anterior aspect of the superior glenoid and the anterior aspect of the greater tuberosity or between the posterior aspect of the superior glenoid and the posterior aspect of the greater tuberosity; and   sizing the graft based on the first anterior-posterior distance, the second anterior-posterior distance, the first medial-lateral distance, and the second medial-lateral distance.   
     
     
         5 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 1 , comprising:
 punching a hole through the graft with a punch prior to passing a suture from the first suture anchor, the second suture anchor, the third suture anchor, or the fourth suture anchor through the graft.   
     
     
         6 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein sizing the graft includes enlarging the graft around its periphery prior to cutting the graft. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the graft is enlarged by at least 5 millimeters about the periphery. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 1 , comprising:
 marking the graft to indicate a location where a suture from each of the first suture anchor, the second suture anchor, the third suture anchor, and the fourth suture anchor are to pass through the graft.   
     
     
         9 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 8 , comprising:
 creating a hole at each mark on the graft to assist in passing the sutures through the graft.   
     
     
         10 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein creating the hole at each of the marks includes punching a hole through each of the marks with a punch. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein fixating the graft to the glenoid includes tying a knot in a suture that is connected to the first suture anchor or the second suture anchor. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the graft includes an acellular dermal extracellular matrix. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein debriding the superior glenoid and the greater tuberosity comprises:
 exposing a bleeding bone bed at each of the superior glenoid and the greater tuberosity.   
     
     
         14 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 1 , comprising:
 performing a partial closure of a tendon construct over top of the graft after fixating the graft to the glenoid and the humerus.   
     
     
         15 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein performing the partial closure includes:
 creating side-to-side margin convergence sutures over the top of the graft, wherein the graft is at least partially visible after creating the side-to-side margin convergence sutures.   
     
     
         16 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 1 , comprising:
 utilizing a kit for performing the surgical method.   
     
     
         17 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the kit includes:
 at least six suture anchors each pre-loaded with a suture tape;   the graft; and   disposable drills, drill guides, punches, and taps for inserting the suture anchors.   
     
     
         18 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 1 , comprising:
 passing a first suture from the first suture anchor through the sized graft; and   passing a second suture from the second suture anchor through the sized graft.   
     
     
         19 . The surgical method as recited in  claim 18 , comprising:
 passing a third suture from the third suture anchor through the sized graft; and   passing a fourth suture from the fourth suture anchor through the sized graft.   
     
     
         20 . A surgical method, comprising:
 debriding a superior glenoid and a greater tuberosity of a humerus of a glenohumeral joint;   measuring a first anterior-posterior distance associated with the superior glenoid;   measuring a first medial-lateral distance either between an anterior aspect of the superior glenoid and an anterior aspect of the greater tuberosity or between a posterior aspect of the superior glenoid and a posterior aspect of the greater tuberosity;   sizing a graft based at least on the first anterior-posterior distance and the first medial-lateral distance,   passing a first suture from a first glenoid suture anchor through the sized graft;   passing a second suture from a first humeral suture anchor through the sized graft;   fixating the graft to the glenoid with the first glenoid suture anchor; and   fixating the graft to the humerus with the first humeral suture anchor.