Floating joint replacement device with supportive sidewall

Abstract

A meniscus replacement device for replacing damaged soft tissue at a host knee includes a first component comprising a first tissue-interface surface shaped to free-floatingly interface with tissue structure of one of a femur and a tibia in a knee joint having a damaged soft tissue, and comprises a second component comprising a second tissue-interface surface shaped to free-floatingly interface with a second tissue structure of the other of the femur and the tibia in the knee joint. The second component may include a containment cavity receiving at least a portion of the first component. In another form, the free floating soft joint tissue replacement component and the base component are fixed together. In some aspects, the second tissue-interface surface is shaped to fit contours of a natural tibia plateau. In some aspects, the first tissue-interface surface is shaped to fit contours of a femoral surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of implanting a joint replacement device between a first bone structure and an adjacent second bone structure, the method comprising:
 introducing a first component into a cavity of a second component;   engaging a locking mechanism that secures the first component within the cavity of the second component;   introducing the first and second components between opposing tissue surfaces at a joint having damaged soft tissue without removing or penetrating bone tissue at the joint; and   positioning the first and second components so that a first tissue interface surface receives a portion of the first bone structure and a second tissue interface surface receives a portion of the second bone structure.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising selecting the first component from a plurality of first components each arranged to fit within a second free-floating component and each having a differently contoured first tissue interface surface. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising closing the incision without mechanically connecting the first or second components to the first or second bone structure. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising positioning a bone-relief recess area formed on the upper surface of the free floating soft joint tissue replacement component over a portion of the first bone structure to limit contact between the portion of the first bone structure and the prosthetic device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the upper surface of the free floating soft joint tissue replacement component is molded to fit a shape of a medial femoral condyle. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , where an outer surface of the bottom portion of the base component is molded to fit a shape of a natural tibia plateau. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning the first and second component comprises manipulating the first component so that the first bone structure fits within contours of the first component. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein positioning the first and second components comprises manipulating the first component so that the second bone structure fits within contours of the second component.