Surgical implant for correction of hallux valgus or tailor's bunion

Abstract

Methods and devices for correcting hallux valgus and tailor's bunion are disclosed. An implant includes a bone engaging feature on each end connected by an intermediate portion. The implant is configured to be positioned on the dorsal side of the metatarsals and stabilizes two adjacent metatarsals toward one another, thereby decreasing the intermetatarsal angle. Depending on the severity of the deformity, a single or multiple implants may be used. In addition, the implant may be used as an adjunctive device in combination with other surgical procedures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical method for implanting an implant, comprising:
 making an incision near at least one bone;   exposing a first bone and a second bone of the at least one bone;   selecting the implant with a first bone engaging feature and a second bone engaging feature for coupling to the first bone and the second bone;   inserting the second bone engaging feature around the second bone;   manually reducing a distance between the first bone and the second bone; and   securing the first bone engaging feature to the first bone.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , wherein the first bone is a first metatarsal, and the second bone is a second metatarsal. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , wherein making the incision near at least one bone comprises:
 using a standard medial approach for a hallux valgus repair.   
     
     
         4 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , wherein making an incision near at least one bone comprises:
 performing a complete lateral release.   
     
     
         5 . The surgical method of  claim 4 , wherein the complete lateral release is performed through one of a separate distal approach and a medial incision. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , wherein making the incision near at least one bone comprises:
 making a small incision lateral to the second bone and exposing the second bone.   
     
     
         7 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , wherein exposing the first bone and the second bone of the at least one bone comprises:
 inserting a fascial elevator from a medial aspect of the first bone proximal to a metaphysis of the first bone; and   extending the fascial elevator to a lateral aspect of the second bone to elevate surrounding soft tissue and form an envelope.   
     
     
         8 . The surgical method of  claim 7 , wherein the second bone engaging feature is inserted into the envelope. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , wherein securing the first bone engaging feature the first bone comprises:
 inserting at least one fastener into at least one opening of the first bone engaging feature and into the first bone.   
     
     
         10 . The surgical method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one fastener is selected from a locking bone screw and a non-locking bone screw. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical method of  claim 9 , wherein inserting at least one fastener comprises:
 drilling the at least one fastener through a cortex of the first bone without penetrating through the entire bone   
     
     
         12 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 securing the second bone engaging feature to the second bone.   
     
     
         13 . The surgical method of  claim 12 , wherein securing the second bone engaging feature to the second bone comprises:
 inserting a fastener through an opening in the second bone engaging feature positioned to insert the fastener dorsally into the second bone.   
     
     
         14 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 inserting the first bone engaging feature around the first bone.   
     
     
         15 . The surgical method of  claim 14 , wherein inserting the first bone engaging feature around the first bone comprises:
 positioning the first bone engaging feature on at least one of a dorsal side of the first bone and a ventral side of the first bone;   
       wherein inserting the second bone engaging feature around the second bone comprises:
 positioning the second bone engaging feature on at least one of a dorsal side of the second bone and a ventral side of the second bone. 
 
     
     
         16 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , wherein the implant further comprises:
 a flexure feature coupling the first bone engaging feature to the second bone engaging feature.   
     
     
         17 . The surgical method of  claim 16 , wherein the flexure feature is positioned between the first bone and the second bone. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical method of  claim 17 , wherein the flexure feature is positioned between a dorsal plane and a ventral plane of the first bone and the second bone. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical method of  claim 18 , wherein the first bone is a first metatarsal, and the second bone is a second metatarsal. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 performing an additional surgical procedure before securing the implant to the first and second bone, wherein the additional surgical procedure is selected from at least one of a wedge osteotomy, a trans-positional osteotomy, a fusion, and a joint replacement.