Patent ID: 7963969

Claim:
A method of implanting an orthopedic prosthesis, said method including: providing a first prosthetic component and a second prosthetic component, said first and second prosthetic components having differently sized configurations and a provisional component having a configuration that is substantially similar to said first prosthetic component and has a predefined correspondence to said second prosthetic component and wherein at least one referencing element is disposed on said provisional component; preparing a bone to receive said first prosthetic component; after preparing step, mounting said provisional component to the bone; after said mounting step, assessing the fit of said provisional component and selecting one of said first and second prosthetic components for implantation based upon the assessment of the fit of said provisional component; wherein when said first prosthetic component is selected for implantation, said method includes implanting said first prosthetic component on the bone without further substantial modification of the bone after said preparing step and following step of removing the provisional component; and wherein when said second prosthetic component is selected for implantation, said method includes, after said step of selecting one of said first and second prosthetic components for implanting the following steps (a), (b), (c) and (d): (a) marking at least one reference point on the bone at a location defined by said reference element; (b) aligning an instrument guide with the reference point on the bone; (c) positioning a surgical instrument using said instrument guide and preparing the bone with the surgical instrument for receiving said second prosthetic component; and (d) implanting the second prosthetic component.