Patent ID: 8900317

Claim:
A support structure for use in conjunction with a prosthesis component, the support structure comprising: a platform having a proximal surface and a distal surface defining a platform thickness therebetween, said proximal surface and said distal surface cooperating to define a platform outer periphery shaped to correspond with a periphery of a resected proximal tibia, said platform outer periphery defining a platform medial-lateral width and a platform anteroposterior length; and a medullary portion extending distally from said distal surface of said platform, said medullary portion monolithically formed with said platform and comprising: a medullary portion anteroposterior diameter less than said platform anteroposterior length; a medullary portion medial-lateral diameter less than said platform medial-lateral width; and a medullary portion height measured along a proximal/distal extent of said medullary portion, wherein the support structure provides a longitudinal passage that extends through the support structure from a proximal end opening in the proximal surface of the platform to a distal end opening at a distal end of the medullary portion, the medullary portion including a side wall with an interior surface situated along said longitudinal passage and an exterior surface opposite said interior surface for contacting bone upon implantation, the support structure providing at least a first open window that extends fully through the side wall from said interior surface to said exterior surface, said first open window including a distal window end that terminates proximal of the distal end of the medullary portion.