Patent Description:
Metaphyseal and/or diaphyseal augments typically assist in preventing loosening and/or subsidence of an articular implant/component, such as, for example, an implanted tibia baseplate. Such augments can help distribute loads exerted on or by the articular implant through the bone, with the articular component maintaining fixation, which can result in a longer implant life.

One of the primary forces attributed to early failures of orthopedic implants, particularly in the tibia, is torsional stress. Moreover, torsional stresses can shear the articular implant-bone interface (cemented or un-cemented) apart, which can facilitate premature or early failure of the implant. Other forces, such as shear forces, can also contribute to similar premature or early failure of the articular implant-bone interface. Additionally, compressive loads, particularly unequal loads to a median plane (i.e. medial loading) of the articular implant- bone interface, can also cause subsidence and early failures of the articular implant.

Additionally, too much cortical contact with the augment can, as a consequence of carrying too much of the load, stress shield the articular components of the bone interface. Such situations can result in bone resorption, which can contribute to early failure of the implant. Additionally, unequal cortical contact due to lack of conformity or fit can load a particular region of the bone, and thereby relieve the articular implant-bone interface in a similar region. In at least certain situations, such unequal loads or contact can act as a fulcrum, which can facilitate bone-interface failures for both the augment and the articular implant. <CIT> describes a knee prosthesis kit including an implant and an augment. <CIT> discloses an augment for a knee joint prosthesis, used to reinforce damaged bone, where the augment is intended to be implanted in the proximal portion of the tibia.

An aspect of the present application is an augment for implantation in association with an orthopedic implant device in a bone, the augment having an augment wall that includes an outer portion, an inner portion, a distal end, and a proximal end. The inner portion of the augment wall defines an inner region of the augment that is sized to receive placement of one or more components of the orthopedic implant device. The distal end at the outer portion has a first shape that is configured to generally conform to the shape of a metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of a canal of the bone. Additionally, the proximal end at the outer portion has a second shape that is configured to generally conform to a shape of the metaphyseal region of the canal of the bone. Further, the first shape has a different shape and size than the second shape. The augment further includes at least one relief that extends from at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the augment wall. Additionally, at least one relief is adapted to prevent, when the augment is implanted in the bone, contact between a portion of the augment wall and an adjacent wall of the bone. A relief wall is inwardly tapered toward the associated one of the proximal end and the distal end of the augment wall to reduce a size of a profile of the augment.

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like features, components and method steps. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings.

Certain terminology is used in the foregoing description for convenience and is not intended to be limiting. Words such as "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "first," and "second" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. This terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the words "a" and "one" are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted. The phrase "at least one of" followed by a list of two or more items, such as "A, B or C," means any individual one of A, B or C, as well as any combination thereof.

<FIG> illustrate medial-lateral and posterior-anterior views, respectively, of a tibial implant device <NUM> having an anatomically relieved tibial augment <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present application. In the depicted embodiment, the tibial implant device <NUM> is a tibial articular assembly that includes a tibial (articular) baseplate <NUM>, the tibial augment <NUM>, and a stem <NUM>. The stem <NUM>, which can extend along a central stem axis <NUM>, can be directly or indirectly coupled to the tibial baseplate <NUM>, such as, for example, coupled to a tray stem <NUM> (<FIG>). According to certain embodiments, the tibial implant device <NUM> can also include an offset/angled coupler, which can offset at least the central stem axis <NUM> relative to a central tray stem axis <NUM> of the tray stem <NUM> of the base plate <NUM>. The tibial implant device <NUM> can also include other components, such as, for example, intramedullary stems and other augments that can be assembled to the tibial implant device <NUM>.

The depicted tibial implant device <NUM> is structured to be cemented into and through the tibial augment <NUM> and onto a prepared proximal tibia of a patient. Further, while <FIG> illustrate the tibial augment <NUM> positioned on or about a tibial implant device <NUM> in a non-implanted state or condition, the tibial augment <NUM> can be implanted in a bone of the patient prior to implantation of the remainder of the tibial implant device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate isometric, medial-lateral, and posterior-anterior views, respectively, an exemplary tibial augment <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the present application. A variety of different augments can be used for the tibial augment <NUM>, including, for example, a cone or sleeve augment, among other augments. Further, the tibial augment <NUM> can have a variety of shapes and sizes. The tibial augment <NUM> includes an augment wall <NUM> that has an inner portion <NUM> and an outer portion <NUM>. The inner portion <NUM> of the augment wall <NUM> can generally define an inner region <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM>, which can extend between at least a portion of the distal and proximal ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM>. As indicated by at least <FIG>, and <FIG>, the inner portion <NUM> of the augment wall <NUM> can be sized to receive passage and/or placement of at least a portion of the stem <NUM>, a tray stem <NUM> of the baseplate <NUM>, an offset/angled coupler, and/or other components of the tibial implant device <NUM> during implantation of the tibial implant device <NUM> in a patient.

The outer portion <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM> can have a variety of shapes and sizes. For example, according to certain embodiments, an augment wall <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM> can have a generally cylindrical or conical shape as the augment wall <NUM> extends between a distal end <NUM> and a proximal end <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM>. However, according to other embodiments, the augment wall <NUM> can be constructed to generally conform to the shapes of different portions of the bone, such as, for example, the conical shape of the tibia bone, and/or to the shape of the inner wall of the intramedullary canal or prepared opening in the bone in which the tibial augment <NUM> will be implanted. Thus, variations among and/or along at least the augment wall <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM> that accommodate such shapes of the bone, intramedullary canal, and/or the prepared opening can enhance the flexibility in the placement of the tibial augment <NUM> in the bone, and reduce or minimize the tibial augment <NUM> from hindering the ability to position an associated articular component relative to a joint line, while also not hindering joint balance (flexion-extension balance) and rotation of each component relative to the patella-femoral joint. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, the tibial augment <NUM> can be symmetrical about at least one midline that is generally perpendicular to a central augment axis <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM>.

To generally accommodate the cortical shape(s) of the tibia bone, the intramedullary canal of the tibia, and/or the shape of the prepared opening in the tibia bone in which the tibia augment <NUM> is to be implanted, the shape of various portions or sides of the augment wall <NUM> at the distal and/or proximal ends <NUM>, <NUM>, as well as the shapes of the sides of the augment wall <NUM> therebetween, can be different and/or vary. According to such embodiments, such variances or inconsistencies among and/or along the sides or areas of the tibial augment <NUM> can preclude the augment wall <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM> from having a generally uniform cylindrical or conical shape. Further, according to certain embodiments, the outer portion <NUM> of the augment wall <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM> can be configured such that at least the distal end <NUM>, or diaphyseal end, of the tibial augment <NUM> generally conforms to the general shape of the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of the tibia bone <NUM>, and at least the proximal end <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM> generally conforms to the general shape or profile of the metaphyseal region of the tibia bone <NUM>. According to other embodiments, the distal end <NUM> and/or proximal end <NUM> can be shaped to provide other cross-sectional shapes that facilitate the ability of the tibial augment <NUM> to conform to the size and/or shape of at least a portion of the intramedullary canal of the tibia bone <NUM> and/or of the prepared opening in the tibia bone <NUM>.

Such conforming of the tibial augment <NUM> may not be limited to the physical shape(s) of each section of the outer portion <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM> mating or matching the shape of the adjacent portion of the wall of the intramedullary canal, but instead can include being shaped to operably align a central augment axis <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM> with, or at a selected position away from, a reference axis, including, for example, a longitudinal axis of the intramedullary canal, and/or the central stem axis <NUM>, among other reference axes. Additionally, the portion of the tibial augment <NUM> that is shaped to generally conform to the shape or profile of the metaphyseal region can be located at distance away, in the metaphyseal direction, from the portion of the tibial augment <NUM> that conforms to the general shape or profile of the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction that is about the same as the distance between the metaphyseal region and metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of the tibia bone <NUM>.

As shown in at least <FIG>, according to certain embodiments, the augment wall <NUM> can further include at least one opening 124a, 124b that is configured to accommodate placement of a component of the tibial augment <NUM>. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, the tibial augment <NUM> can include two openings 124a, 124b that are sized to accommodate at least the passage and/or placement of at least a portion of the keel(s) 126a, 126b of the tibial baseplate <NUM>.

The outer portion <NUM> of the augment wall <NUM> also includes one or more reliefs <NUM> that are positioned at least around the distal end <NUM> and/or the proximal end <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM>. According to the illustrated embodiment, the relief <NUM> can remove at least a portion of the augment wall <NUM> so as to reduce or otherwise alter the shape of at least a profile of the tibial augment <NUM>. For example, dashed lines in <FIG> illustrate a portion of the tibial augment <NUM> that can be removed by the recess, and the resulting profile provided by inclusion of the relief <NUM>. As discussed below, removing, altering, and/or contouring the shape and/or size of the tibial augment <NUM> via inclusion of one or more reliefs <NUM> that can increase the degree of freedom that can be attained in the placement and/or sizing of the tibial augment <NUM> in the tibia bone <NUM>, intramedullary canal, and/or a shaped or prepared opening in the tibia bone <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments, the recess can be configured to extend through the augment wall <NUM> so as to include an aperture <NUM> that exposes at least a portion of the inner region <NUM>. Further, the relief <NUM> can also include one or more relief walls <NUM>, such as, for example, opposing sidewalls 136a, 136b and an upper wall <NUM> that extends around the aperture <NUM>. The relief walls <NUM> can reduce the thickness of the augment wall <NUM> at or around the aperture <NUM>. Moreover, the augment wall <NUM> can have a material thickness between the relief wall <NUM> and the opposing inner portion <NUM> of the augment wall <NUM> that is less than the thickness between opposing outer and inner portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the augment wall <NUM>.

The sidewalls 136a, 136b and upper wall <NUM> of the relief wall <NUM> can have a variety of different shapes and orientations that can, in at least certain situations, increase the degree of freedom in the positioning and/or sizing of the tibial augment <NUM> in the bone <NUM> that can be attained via use of the relief <NUM>. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper wall <NUM> has a generally curved or arced shape, while the sidewalls 136a, 136b generally extend toward each other from opposite directions before reaching the upper wall <NUM>. Additionally, as shown in <FIG>, according to the invention, the relief <NUM> is configured such that a portion of the relief wall <NUM> has an angled or tapered profile that extends inwardly toward the distal end <NUM>, and which provides a larger or steeper incline than can have otherwise been provided by the augment wall <NUM> without the inclusion of the relief <NUM> (as indicated by a comparison of the adjacent solid and dashed lines in <FIG>).

<FIG> illustrate a relief <NUM> having an aperture <NUM> that extends through a portion of the distal end <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM>, and a relief wall <NUM> that extends along a portion of the tibial augment <NUM> and about the aperture <NUM>. However, although the relief <NUM> of the depicted embodiment includes an aperture <NUM> in the augment wall <NUM>, according to certain embodiments, the relief <NUM> can extend into the augment wall <NUM> to a degree that prevents the formation of such an aperture <NUM> in the relief <NUM>. Further, the aperture <NUM> of the relief <NUM> and at least a portion of the relief wall <NUM> can extend along a central relief axis <NUM> that is generally parallel to the adjacent portion of the augment wall <NUM> in which the aperture <NUM> is positioned. Further, the central relief axis <NUM> can be non-perpendicular to the central augment axis <NUM> and/or the central stem axis <NUM> that can extend into/through the inner region <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM>.

The degree to which the relief <NUM> extends along the augment wall <NUM> can vary. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the relief <NUM> extends from the distal end <NUM> of the augment wall I <NUM> to generally a mid-region <NUM> of the augment wall <NUM>, the mid region <NUM> being located a midpoint or area between the distal and proximal ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM>. Again, while the relief <NUM> depicted in <FIG> extends from the distal end <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM>, according to other embodiments, a relief, in addition to or in lieu of the relief <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, can extend from the proximal end <NUM> of the tibial augment <NUM>.

<FIG> provides an example of a relief <NUM> of a tibial augment <NUM> being configured to accommodate the cortical shape and/or configuration of the tibia bone <NUM> and/or intramedullary canal, as depicted in <FIG>. As illustrated, the reduction in the size of the profile of at least a portion of the tibial augment <NUM>, and, moreover, the resulting adjustment in the shape of the tibial augment <NUM>, as provided by the relief <NUM>, can be configured to at least assist in the tibial augment <NUM> being anatomically shaped and/or to assist in contouring or otherwise shaping the tibial augment <NUM> to avoid cortical bone contact, such as, for example, avoiding contact with the cortical bone in the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction <NUM>. Further, the relief <NUM> can be sized or otherwise configured to prevent the tibial augment <NUM> from engaging the asymmetric morphology of the tibia bone <NUM>. Additionally, as also shown by <FIG>, the inclusion of the relief <NUM> can at least assist in the tibial augment <NUM> from avoiding contact with the implant construct, including, for example, contact with the tibial implant device <NUM> that can be associated with misalignment of the intramedullary canal with the metaphyseal and/or the diaphyseal region(s) of the tibia bone <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate posterior-anterior and medial-lateral views, respectively, of a femoral implant device <NUM>. The illustrated femoral implant device <NUM> includes a femoral articular component <NUM>, an intramedullary stem <NUM>, and a femoral augment <NUM> according to an illustrated embodiment of the present application. The femoral implant device <NUM> can include other components, including, but not limited to, a distal augment and/or a posterior augment. The intramedullary stem <NUM>, which can extend along a central stem axis <NUM>, can be directly or indirectly coupled to the femoral articular component <NUM>, such as, for example, coupled to a component stem of the femoral articular component <NUM>. According to certain embodiments, the femoral implant device <NUM> can include an offset/angled coupler, which can offset at least the central stern axis <NUM> relative to an axis the component stem.

The depicted femoral implant device <NUM> is structured to be cemented into and through the femoral augment <NUM> and onto a prepared distal femur of a patient. Further, while <FIG> illustrate the femoral augment <NUM> positioned on or about a femoral implant device <NUM> in a non-implanted state or condition, the femoral augment <NUM> can be implanted in a bone of the patient prior to implantation of the remainder of the femoral implant device <NUM>. Thus, an inner region <NUM> of the femoral augment <NUM> can be sized to receive passage and/or placement of at least a portion of the intramedullary stem <NUM> and/or other components of the femoral implant device <NUM>, including, for example, an offset/angled coupler and/or a component stem of the femoral articular component <NUM>, during implantation of the femoral implant device <NUM> in a patient.

<FIG> illustrate an example of a femoral augment <NUM> according to an illustrated embodiment of the present application. A variety of different augments can be used for the femoral augment <NUM>, including, for example, a cone or sleeve augment, among other augments. Further, the femoral augment <NUM> can have a variety of shapes and sizes. The femoral augment <NUM> can include an augment wall <NUM> that extends about a central augment axis <NUM> of the femoral augment <NUM>. The augment wall <NUM> has an inner portion <NUM> and an outer portion <NUM>. The inner portion <NUM> of the augment wall <NUM> can generally define an inner region <NUM> of the femoral augment <NUM>. At least a portion of the inner region <NUM> can extend between a distal end <NUM> and a proximal end <NUM> of the femoral augment <NUM>. The inner region <NUM> can be sized to receive placement of at least one or more components of the femoral augment <NUM>, such as, for example, the intramedullary stem <NUM>, an offset/angled coupler, and/or the component stem of the femoral articular component <NUM>, and junctions there between, among other components.

The outer portion <NUM> of the augment wall <NUM> can be shaped to generally fit the cortical shape of a distal femur and/or a portion of the intramedullary canal of the femur. Thus, according to certain embodiments, a diaphyseal or distal end <NUM>, of the femoral augment <NUM> can be shaped to generally conform to the general shape of the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of femoral bone. Further, the opposing proximal end <NUM> of the femoral augment <NUM> can be configured to generally conform to the general shape or profile of the metaphyseal region of the femoral bone. According to other embodiments, the distal end <NUM> and/or proximal end <NUM> can be shaped to provide other cross-sectional shapes that facilitate the ability of the femoral augment <NUM> to conform to the size and/or shape of at least a portion of the femur and/or the intramedullary canal of the femur. Such conforming may not be limited to the physical shape(s) of each section of the outer portion <NUM> of the augment mating or matching the shape of the adjacent portion of the inner wall of the intramedullary canal of the femoral bone, but instead can include being shaped to generally align with a central augment axis <NUM> of the femoral augment <NUM>, or at a selected position away from a reference axis, including, for example, a longitudinal axis of the intramedullary canal of the femur and/or the central stem axis <NUM>, among other reference axes. Additionally, the portion of the femoral augment <NUM> that is shaped to generally conform to the shape or profile of the metaphyseal region of the femur and/or the intramedullary canal of the femur can be located at distance away, in the metaphyseal direction, from the portion of the femoral augment <NUM> that conforms to the general shape or profile of the metaphyseal- diaphyseal junction that is about the same as the distance between the metaphyseal region and metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of the femur.

To generally accommodate the cortical shape(s) of femur and/or the medullary canal of the femur, including, for example, the shape at both the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction and at metaphyseal region of the femur, as well as shapes therebetween, different areas or sides of the outer portion <NUM> of the augment wall <NUM> can have different shapes. Additionally, the shapes along such different areas or sides of the outer portion <NUM> of the augment wall <NUM> can also vary between the distal and proximal ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the femoral augment <NUM>. Such variances or inconsistencies among and/or along the sides or areas of the femoral augment <NUM> can preclude the augment wall <NUM> of the femoral augment <NUM> from having a generally uniform cylindrical or conical shape. However, according to other embodiments, the femoral augment <NUM> can have a generally cylindrical or conical shape.

As shown by at least <FIG>, the outer portion <NUM> of the augment wall <NUM> includes one or more reliefs 224a, 224b that are positioned at least around a portion of the distal end <NUM> and/or the proximal end <NUM> of the femoral augment <NUM>. According to the illustrated embodiment, the reliefs 224a, 224b can provide a recess or aperture 226a, 226b in the augment wall <NUM>, and a relief wall <NUM> that reduces the thickness of the augment wall <NUM> at or around the apertures 226a, 226b. As shown in <FIG>, in the depicted embodiment, the femoral augment <NUM> includes a first relief 224a that extends from the distal end <NUM> and toward the proximal end <NUM> of the femoral augment <NUM>, and another, second relief 224b on a generally opposing side of the augment wall <NUM> that extends in an opposite direction, and more specifically, extends from the proximal end <NUM> toward the distal end <NUM> of the femoral augment <NUM>. As illustrated, in the depicted example, each relief 224a, 224b extends to an area adjacent, or in relatively close proximity to, the opposing distal or proximal end <NUM>, <NUM> of the augment <NUM>.

The relief wall <NUM> for each relief 224a, 224b can extend along the femoral augment <NUM> and at least about the aperture 226a, 226b. Further, the augment wall <NUM> can have a material thickness between the relief walls <NUM> and the inner portion <NUM> of the augment wall <NUM> that is less than the thickness between opposing inner and outer portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the augment wall <NUM>. Further, although the reliefs 224a, 224b of the depicted embodiment each include an aperture 226a, 226b in the augment wall <NUM>, according to certain embodiments, one or both of the reliefs 224a, 224b can extend into the augment wall <NUM> to a degree that prevents the formation of such an aperture 226a, 226b.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the apertures 226a, 226b and/or at least a portion of the relief walls <NUM> can extend along an associated central relief axis 230a, 230b that is generally parallel to the adjacent portion of the augment wall <NUM> in which the apertures 226a, 226b and/or relief walls <NUM> is/are positioned. Further, the central relief axes 230a, 230b can be non-perpendicular to the central augment axis <NUM> of the femoral augment <NUM> and/or to the central stern axis <NUM> of the intramedullary stem <NUM> that can extend into/through the inner region <NUM> of the femoral augment <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, according to the illustrated embodiment, the relief walls <NUM> of the reliefs 224a, 224b can each include opposing sidewalls 232a, 232b and an adjoining upper wall <NUM>. The sidewalls 232a, 232b and upper wall <NUM> can have a variety of different shapes and orientations that can, in at least certain situations, facilitate the freedom of positioning and/or sizing that is attained via use of the reliefs 224a, 224b. For example, as shown by at least <FIG>, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper wall <NUM> for the first relief 224a can have a generally curved or arced shape, while the upper wall <NUM> of the second relief 224b includes a generally flat section <NUM>. Further, as shown in at least <FIG>, according to the invention, at least a portion of the sidewalls 232a, 232b of the reliefs 224a, 224b have angled or tapered profiles that extend inwardly toward the associated distal end <NUM> or proximal end <NUM>, which can assist in providing the femoral augment <NUM> with a narrower or thinner profile in those regions than would be provided in the absence of the reliefs 224a, 224b (as indicated by the dashed lines in <FIG>).

The anatomical shape of the tibial or femoral augments <NUM>, <NUM>, as well as the inclusion of the reliefs <NUM>, 224a, 224b, can increase the available choices or freedom in the positioning and/or sizing of the augments <NUM>, <NUM> in the corresponding prepared tibial or femur bone, or shaped opening in the tibial or femur bone and/or the associated intramedullary canal in which the tibial or femoral augment <NUM>, <NUM> is implanted. As discussed, the inclusion of the reliefs <NUM>, 224a, 224b can reduce the profile and/or size of the tibial or femoral augment <NUM>, <NUM> at least at the distal end <NUM>, <NUM> and proximal end <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or along the opposing sides of the tibial or femoral augment <NUM>, <NUM>. Further, the reliefs <NUM>, 224a, 224b can be configured such that the augments <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to accommodate certain characteristics in the shape of the bone or bone canal in which the augments <NUM>, <NUM> can be placed. For example, the inclusion of the reliefs <NUM>, 224a, 224b can at least assist in the augments <NUM>, <NUM> avoiding contact with certain portions of the bone, such as, for example, preventing the femoral augment <NUM> from engaging the asymmetric morphology of the femur.

When an anatomically shaped tibial or femoral augment <NUM>, <NUM> that includes a relief(s) <NUM>, 224a, 224b, as discussed herein, is subjected to placement at relatively shallow depths in the shaped or prepared tibial or femur, such as when an implant device <NUM>, <NUM> is near the epiphysis of the bone, cancellous bone can be the primary, and possibly only, contact to the load bearing surfaces of the tibial or femoral augment <NUM>, <NUM>. Further, as the depth of the prepared opening in the tibial or femoral bone increases conformity, proximity of the prepared opening and placement of the anatomically shaped augments <NUM>, <NUM> having the reliefs <NUM>, 224a, 224b to the cortical bone can also increase. Such conformity and consistency of cancellous and/or cortical bone contact throughout a depth variation of deployment of the tibial or femoral augments <NUM>, <NUM> can at least assist in enhancing the evenness in load distribution, as well as enhance resistance implant failure, that can otherwise be attributed to loosening and/or subsiding due to one or more of the forces, such as, for example, compressive, shear, and/or torsion forces, that can be associated with implant devices and associated components. Accordingly, the anatomically shaped tibial and femoral augments <NUM>, <NUM> are configured, via the inclusion of reliefs <NUM>, 224a, 224b, to prevent or minimize the occurrence of point contact between the augments <NUM>, <NUM> and the adjacent cortical wall of the bone. The prevention of such point contact can include preventing misaligned or unequal circumferential load sharing about the cortical wall. Further, by preventing point contact, the augments <NUM>, <NUM> can prevent or otherwise minimize the potential for the augment <NUM>, <NUM> to penetrate through, or otherwise violate, the adjacent cortical wall of the bone.

Shaping the tibial and femoral augments <NUM>, <NUM> to generally conform to, or accommodate, changes and/or variances in the shape of the tibia and femoral bone, respectively, and/or the intramedullary canal of those bones, can prevent or minimize the extent to which the tibial or femoral augments <NUM>, <NUM> are subjected to unequal loading conditions. Further, by shaping different portions or areas of the tibial and femoral augments <NUM>, <NUM> to generally conform to or otherwise accommodate the shape of at least an adjacent inner wall of the associated bone canal or cavity, the generally anatomically shaped augments <NUM>, <NUM> discussed herein can reduce the impact forces on the corresponding articular implant-bone interface by distributing such forces or loads over a relatively larger surface area. More specifically, for example, such conforming configurations of the augments <NUM>, <NUM> can improve resistance to torsional stress by equally distributing such forces circumferentially.

<FIG> illustrate medial-lateral and anterior-posterior views, respectively, of a femoral articular component <NUM> of an exemplary femoral implant device <NUM> having an anatomically relieved femoral augment <NUM>, and which is positioned on a prepared femoral bone <NUM>. Further, <FIG> illustrates a medial-lateral cross sectional view of the portion of the femoral articular component <NUM> and the anatomically relieved femoral augment <NUM> on the prepared femoral bone <NUM>, as taken along line A-A of <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, a first relief 224a can be configured to generally conform the shape or profile of the femoral augment <NUM> to the shape of the femoral bone <NUM> at the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction <NUM>, and moreover, to avoid contact with the cortical bone in the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction <NUM>. Further, as shown, the inclusion of the reliefs 224a, 224b can at least assist in the femoral augment <NUM> avoiding contact with the implant construct, including, for example, contact with the femoral articular component <NUM> that can be associated with intramedullary canal misalignment with the metaphyseal and/or the diaphyseal region(s) of the femoral bone <NUM>. For example, as shown, the second relief 224b of the femoral augment <NUM> can be shaped to prevent or otherwise minimize the femoral augment <NUM> from contacting an inner portion <NUM> of the femoral implant device <NUM>, such as, for example, an inner portion of the articular implant construct, while still providing a segment of the femoral augment <NUM> at the distal end <NUM> of the femoral bone <NUM> that can be implanted at a positioned in a prepared portion or cavity of the bone <NUM>. Thus, the reliefs 224a, 224b, as illustrated, can be constructed to allow for a degree of rotational freedom in the angular position of the implanted femoral augment <NUM> about at least the central augment axis <NUM> while still allowing the femoral augment <NUM> to generally conform to the shape of the femoral bone <NUM> and still prevent, if desired, contact between the femoral augment <NUM> and the inner portion <NUM> of the femoral implant device <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An augment (<NUM>, <NUM>) for implantation in association with an orthopedic implant device (<NUM>, <NUM>) in a bone (<NUM>, <NUM>), the augment (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
an augment wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) having an outer portion (<NUM>, <NUM>), an inner portion (<NUM>, <NUM>), a distal end (<NUM>, <NUM>), and a proximal end (<NUM>, <NUM>), the inner portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) defining an inner region (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the augment (<NUM>, <NUM>), the inner region (<NUM>, <NUM>) sized to receive placement of one or more components of the orthopedic implant device (<NUM>, <NUM>), the distal end (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the augment wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a first shape configured to generally conform to the shape of a metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction (<NUM>, <NUM>) of a canal of the bone (<NUM>, <NUM>), the proximal end (<NUM>, <NUM>) at the outer portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a second shape configured to generally conform to a shape of the metaphyseal region of the canal of the bone (<NUM>, <NUM>), the first shape having a different shape and size than the second shape;
at least one relief (<NUM>, 224a, 224b) positioned about at least one of the proximal and distal ends (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the augment wall (<NUM>, <NUM>), at least one of the reliefs (<NUM>, 224a, 224b) being adapted to prevent, when the augment (<NUM>, <NUM>) is implanted in the bone (<NUM>, <NUM>), point contact between a portion of the augment wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) and an adjacent wall of the bone (<NUM>, <NUM>);
characterized in that the at least one relief comprises a relief wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) that has a profile inwardly tapered toward the associated one of the proximal end (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the distal end (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the augment wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) to reduce a size of a profile of the augment (<NUM>, <NUM>).