System and method for modifying talocalcaneal relationship in a foot

Abstract

A system for modifying a talocalcaneal spatial relationship in a foot in a body, including a subtalar spacer having an articulating surface and implanted in the sinus tarsi of the foot and a fastener that fastens the subtalar spacer to a bone surface in the foot, in which the articulating surface of the subtalar spacer directs relative movement between the calcaneus and the talus of the foot.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a spacer configured to be implanted in a foot, the spacer including:   a spacer body including an engagement surface contoured to engage with at least one of a talus bone in the foot or a calcaneus bone in the foot; and   a spacer mount coupled to the spacer body and including a first spacer mount portion sized to engage the talus bone or the calcaneus bone.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the engagement surface is smooth. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the engagement surface is at least one of ribbed or grooved. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the first spacer mount portion is located proximate a superior side of the spacer mount, the superior side having a geometry that is at least one of curved, sloped, or complementary to natural contours of the talus bone. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the spacer mount includes a branch having a first end and a second end that are both configured to attach to the other of the talus bone or the calcaneus bone. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the spacer body is configured to be removably coupled to the spacer mount. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the spacer body includes a boss and the spacer mount includes a recess such that the boss of the spacer body is configured to couple to the recess of the spacer mount. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the spacer body is made of a biocompatible material. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising a fastener removably coupled to the spacer mount. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the fastener is configured to promote bony ingrowth into the apparatus. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the spacer mount is configured to attach to the calcaneus bone and an inferior side of the spacer mount includes a flat planar surface of the fastener. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the spacer body is integral to the spacer mount. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the spacer mount includes one or more features to promote bony ingrowth into the apparatus. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the fastener includes at least one of a peg, a tab, or a keel. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the first spacer mount portion of the spacer mount is at least one of curved, sloped, or complementary to natural contours of the calcaneus bone. 
     
     
         37 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a first spacer configured to be implanted in a foot, the first spacer including a first spacer body and a first spacer mount coupled to the first spacer body, the first spacer body including a first engagement surface, a first base surface, and an outer surface extending from the first engagement surface to the first base surface; and   a second spacer configured to be implanted in the foot, the second spacer including a second spacer body and a second spacer mount, the second spacer body including a second engagement surface, the first engagement surface is configured to engage with the second engagement surface to direct relative movement between a first bone in the foot and a second bone of the foot.   
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein at least a first portion of the first engagement surface is one of convex or concave, and at least a second portion of the second engagement surface is the other of convex or concave to be complementary to the first portion of the first engagement surface. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the first spacer and the second spacer are made of polyethylene. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the second spacer is configured to be implanted in a sinus tarsi of the foot directly opposite the first spacer. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the first spacer is configured to engage in one of a sliding, rolling, or rubbing motion with respect to the second spacer. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the first spacer mount includes one or more features to promote bony ingrowth into the apparatus.