Patent ID: 8216319
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of repairing a knee joint comprising: implanting a trochlear component on the femur, the trochlear component having a tapered distal portion and a bearing surface comprising two convex surfaces meeting along a groove, the trochlear component being implanted adjacent to the intercondylar notch of the femur; implanting a patellar component on the patella; providing a stud having a bearing surface, a bone-facing surface and a fixation post extending outward from the bone-facing surface; implanting the stud on the femur adjacent to native articular cartilage so that at least a substantial portion of the bearing surface of the stud stands above the top surface of the adjacent native articular cartilage and the fixation post extends into the bone of the femur; wherein the stud and trochlear component are discrete components and are sized, shaped and positioned to limit contact between the patellar component and the native articular cartilage around the trochlear component during flexion and extension of the knee joint and wherein the stud and trochlear component are both present on the femur at the same time; wherein the trochlear component and patellar component are sized, shaped and positioned so that the patellar component articulates with the bearing surface of the trochlear component; wherein there is no contact between the bearing surface of the stud and the bearing surface of the trochlear component; and wherein the bearing surface of the stud is made of a material that is not biodegradable and not bioresorbable.