Modular total ankle prosthesis apparatuses and methods

Abstract

Ankle implant systems and methods are provided that can allow a surgeon to select the type of prosthesis desired during an ankle surgical operation. The surgeon can implant a set of standardized fixation components into the tibia and/or fibula bones and the talus bone. Once implanted, the surgeon can select a bearing component from a number of bearing components that allow for different size patients, but also modify the manner in which the prosthesis functions (either semiconstrained or unconstrained). In one embodiment, an ankle implant can include a talar component having a lower surface with a bone fixation portion for fixation to a talus bone. A tibial component has an upper surface with a bone fixation portion for fixation of the tibial component to a tibia bone and/or a fibula bone, and the tibial component also has a lower surface with at least one protrusion extending from the lower surface. A bearing component is included between the tibial and talar components and has a lower surface for cooperative engagement with an upper surface of the talar component. The protrusion of the tibial component is adapted to engage a recess of the bearing component to desirably limit rotational and translational movement of the tibial component relative to the bearing component.