Stabilizing prosthesis support structure

[0070] The present disclosure provides a monolithic implant support structure which provides a stable implant mounting surface in a severely damaged or diseased bone. In the exemplary embodiments discussed below, the support structure provides a foundation for supporting a tibial baseplate that is resistant to subsidence while also facilitating replacement and/or augmentation of metaphyseal or diaphyseal bone within the tibia. The support structure may be made of a porous bone ingrowth material that provides a scaffold for bone ingrowth on multiple surfaces. These surfaces present large, three-dimensional areas of bone ingrowth material to the surrounding healthy bone for secure and stable long term fixation of the support structure to the proximal tibia. A tibial baseplate may be mechanically attached to the support structure, which facilitates later removal of the tibial baseplate during a revision surgery while preserving the prosthesis foundation provided by the support structure and ingrown bone.

[0071 ] A support structure in accordance with the present disclosure may be formed from a single piece of highly porous biomaterial. A highly porous biomaterial is useful as a bone substitute and as cell and tissue receptive material. A highly porous biomaterial may have a porosity as low as 55%, 65%, or 75% or as high as 80%, 85%, or 90%, or may have any porosity within any range defined by any of the foregoing values. An example of such a material is produced using Trabecular Metal® Technology generally available from Zimmer, Inc., of Warsaw, Indiana. Trabecular Metal® is a trademark of Zimmer, Inc. Such a material may be formed from a reticulated vitreous carbon foam substrate which is infiltrated and coated with a biocompatible metal, such as tantalum, by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process in the manner disclosed in detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,282,861 to Kaplan.

In addition to tantalum,

CA 2836772 2018-07-31 other metals such as niobium, or alloys of tantalum and niobium with one another or with other metals may also be used.

[0072] Generally, the porous tantalum structure includes a large plurality of ligaments defining open spaces therebetween, with each ligament generally including a carbon core covered by a thin film of metal such as tantalum, for example. The open spaces between the ligaments form a matrix of continuous channels having no dead ends, such that growth of cancellous bone through the porous tantalum structure is uninhibited. The porous tantalum may include up to 75%, 85%, or more void space therein. Thus, porous tantalum is a lightweight, strong porous structure which is substantially uniform and consistent in composition, and closely resembles the structure of natural cancellous bone, thereby providing a matrix into which cancellous bone may grow to provide fixation of the support structure to the patient's bone.

[0073] The porous tantalum structure may be made in a variety of densities in order to selectively tailor the structure for particular applications. In particular, as discussed in the above-referenced U.S. Patent No. 5,282,861, the porous tantalum may be fabricated to virtually any desired porosity and pore size, and can thus be matched with the surrounding natural bone in order to provide an improved matrix for bone ingrowth and mineralization. [0074] Various configurations and sizes for a support structure are contemplated in accordance with the present disclosure. Exemplary configurations are provided in the description below and associated drawings. For example, Figs. IA -1G illustrate a monolithic (or monoblock) support structure for a relatively small size tibial baseplate and a correspondingly small medullary defect. In Figs. 2A - 2H, a second monolithic support structure similar to the support shown in Figs. 1A - 1G is illustrated, but is adapted for a larger size tibial baseplate and a correspondingly larger medullary defect. Figs. 3A - 3H illustrate yet another monolithic support structure with a medullary portion having an alternative geometrical configuration, namely, a hemispherical configuration.

[0075] Turning now to Fig. 1 A, a nominally small-sized baseplate support structure 10 is shown mated to a correspondingly small nominal size tibial baseplate 12. Support structure 10 includes proximal platform 14, which mechanically attaches to the distal surface of tibial baseplate 12 (as described below) and has an outer periphery substantially matching the outer periphery of baseplate 12, which in turn has a periphery shaped to correspond with a proximal resected surface Ts of an anatomic tibia T (Fig. 1H). Medullary portion 16 extends distally from distal surface 34 of platform 14, and is integrally, rnonolithically formed with platform 14 such that support structure 10 Is formed from a single, monolithic piece of material.

CA 2836772 2018-07-31

CA 02836772 2013-11-19

WO 2012/162180 PCT/US2012/038673

[0076] In the illustrated embodiments discussed below, support structure 10 is formed from bone ingrowth material, such as porous tantalum as described above, which provides a scaffold for the ingrowth and interdigitation of bone with both platform 14 and medullary portion 16 of support structure 10. As such ingrowth occurs over time, support structure 10 becomes integrally formed with the tibia to provide a stable, bone-like support foundation for tibial baseplate 12. Advantageously, as noted below, this support foundation may remain in place even through a revision surgery to replace tibial baseplate 12 with a new tibial baseplate.

[0077] Medullary portion 16 is generally conically shaped, as described in detail below, and includes opening 22 through which baseplate keel 18 may pass. In the illustrative embodiment, medullary portion 16 has a substantially closed peripheral profile, such that keel 18 is surrounded by opening 22. As most clearly shown in Fig. IB, baseplate keel 18 includes a pair of fins 20 extending between the distal end of keel 18 and the distal surface of the tibial baseplate 12. To accommodate fins 20, opening 22 includes flared cutouts 24 extending therethrough. Cutouts 24 interrupt the otherwise conical or cylindrical shape of opening 22, and selectively expand the periphety of opening 22 along the longitudinal extent of medullary portion 16 to provide a space sized to fit fins 20 with clearance. As cutouts 24 extend toward the proximal end of opening 22 (at proximal surface 26, as shown in Fig. 1G), cutouts 24 flare outwardly to accommodate the corresponding outward flare of fins 20 as they extend toward their junction with platform portion 30 of tibial baseplate 12.

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment of Figs. 1C and ID, baseplate fins 20 do not protrude outwardly beyond the outer periphery of medullary portion 16. In order to maintain a desired minimum material thickness throughout support structure 10, however, fin windows 28 are formed in the material of support structure 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the minimum material thickness in support structure is at least 1 mm. Fin windows 28 span an area from a distal window end, at which fins 20 are sufficiently proximate to medullary portion 16 to prevent the desired minimum material thickness from being achieved, to a proximal window end at distal surface 34 of platform portion 14. Thus, fin windows 28 span junction 32 formed between medullaty portion 16 and platform 14 of support structure 10.

[0079] The size of the interruptions injunction 32 caused by fin windows 28 is minimized in order to maximize the strength of junction 32 between medullary portion 16 and platform 14. At the same time, the size of windows 28 is made sufficiently large to maintain at least a minimum desired clearance between keel 18 and the interior surface defined by opening 22 of medullary portion 16. Junction 32 is also radiused to prevent stress concentrations within the material of support structure 10 during in vivo prosthesis use.

CA 02836772 2013-11-19

WO 2012/162180 PCT/US2012/038673

[0080] As best seen in Figs. 1C and 1D, clearance is provided between the peripheral wall of opening 22 formed through medullary portion 16 of support structure 10, and the outer peripheral wall of tibial baseplate keel 18. This clearance ensures a smooth passage of keel 18 through opening 22 upon assembly of baseplate 12 to support structure 10, and further ensures that the orientation of tibial baseplate 12 with respect to support structure 10 after such assembly is dictated solely by the interface between platform 14 of support structure 10 and platform portion 30 of tibial baseplate 12. The clearance between keel 18 and medullary portion 16 may be the same as clearance 148 between keel 118 and medullary portion 116 of larger-sized support structure 110, as illustrated in Fig. 2H and described below.

[0081] In the illustrative embodiment of Figs. 1A - 1G, medullary portion 16 of support structure 10 has a truncated, generally conical outer surface. As shown in Figs. IE and IF, the truncated cone defined by medullary portion 16 defines a central axis Αμ When viewed from different aspects, this truncated cone defines varying degrees of taper with respect to axis A|. Referring to Fig. IE, for example, the tapers defined by the medial and lateral boundaries of medullaiy portion 16 (i.e., the taper when viewed from an anterior or posterior perspective) defines taper angle a with respect to axis Ai. On the other hand, referring to Fig. IF, the posterior boundary of medullary portion 16 defines taper angle β, and no taper is defined by the anterior boundary of medullaiy portion 16. Thus, while the present disclosure refers generically to truncated cone shaped augments and portions of augments, it is contemplated that such cone shapes need not be strictly conical, but can have varying cross-sectional geometries such as oval, elliptical, or any other non-circular cross-section.

[0082] It is contemplated that the taper angles defined by support structure 10 may have a variety of nominal values or combinations of nominal values. For example, the medial and lateral taper angles a (Fig. IE) may be equal (as shown) or different, and may define any taper angle. In one exemplary embodiment, angle a is as little as 4 degrees or 9.5 degrees and as large as 12 degrees or 15 degrees, or may be any value within any range defined by any of the foregoing values. Posterior taper angle β may be as little as 10 degrees or 12 degrees, or as large as 17 degrees or 19 degrees, or may be any value within any range defined by any of the foregoing values. In this exemplary embodiment, no anterior taper angle is defined by medullary portion 16, i.e., the anterior edge of medullary portion 16 is substantially parallel to axis Ai as viewed from the sagittal perspective of Fig. IF. However an anterior taper angle may be provided as desired or required for a particular application, such that the anterior edge of medullary portion 16 converges toward axis Ai along a proximal-to-distal direction. Additional discussion of exemplary taper angles for medullary portion 16, in the context of a separately formed conically-shaped augment, appears in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/886,297.

[0083) As best shown in Figs. 1C and 1E, distal surface 34 of platform 14 defines a substantially flat, planar surface adapted to mate with a similarly planar resected surface of a proximal tibia. However, as illustrated in Fig. IE, it is contemplated that distal surface 34 may be stepped such that one of the medial and lateral side of support structure 10 is thicker than the other side. This thicker side 36 defines stepped distal surface 34', which is positioned to rest upon a portion of the tibia which has been more deeply resected than the other, adjacent portion of the resected tibia. Such a stepped configuration may prevent unnecessary removal of healthy bone in an asymmetric defect. More particularly, a surgeon may avoid resection of healthy bone stock on one side of the tibial plateau where no augmentation is required, while resecting damaged bone from the other side where more severe trauma and/or degradation has occurred.

[0084] Another embodiment including a stepped configuration of the distal surface of the augment platform is illustrated in Figs. 5A-5F. Support structure 410 is similar to support structure 10 described above, and reference numbers in Figs. 5A-5F refer to analogous structures described above with respect to support structures 10. However, platform portion 414 includes a thicker side 436 on the opposite side of support structure 410 as compared to thicker side 36 of support structure 10. Distal surface 434' is offset distally from distal surface 434 in a similar fashion as described above. At the periphery of platform 414, however, thicker side 436 includes tapered portion 415, similar to tapered portion 115 described below with respect to larger-sized support structure 110 (Figs. 2A-2H). Holes 446 are also modified in support structure 410 to include shoulders 447 therein. Shoulders 447 are sized and adapted to engage shoulder 43 of nut 42 (Fig. 1 A) to axially capture nut 42 within holes 446.

[0085] Another embodiment including an asymmetric platform configuration is illustrated in Figs. 6A-6G. Support structure 510 is similar to support structure 10 described above, and reference numbers in Figs. 6A-6G refer to analogous structures described above with respect to support structures 10. However, only one side of platform portion 514 is provided, such that support structure is only designed to replace either media) or lateral defects in the proximal tibia while leaving the other side un-augmented. In the illustrated embodiment, support structure 510 can be used to replace defects in the lateral tibial plateau when used in a left knee, or in the medial tibial plateau when used in a right knee. It is also contemplated that a similar, substantially mirror-image support structure may be provided for augmentation of bone resected to remove left-medial and right-lateral defects. In another alternative, the overall

CA 2836772 2018-07-31

CA 02836772 2013-11-19

WO 2012/162180 PC17US2012/038673 shape of the augment may be asymmetric, such that individual asymmetric component geometries may be provided for each of right-lateral, right-medial, left-lateral and left-medial defects. Like holes 446 of support structure 410, holes 546 include shoulders 547.

[0086] In addition to the various geometrical arrangements of platforms 14,414, 514 described above, it is contemplated that medullaty portion 16 may have an extended axial length on one side, as represented by extended axial portion 38 of medullary portion 16 in Fig. IE. Similar to thicker side 36, this additional axial length on one side allows a surgeon to correct an asymmetric medullary defect without removal of healthy bone on a side of the bone lacking such defects.

[0087] Referring back to Fig. 1 A, support structure 10 mounts to tibial baseplate 12 via externally threaded fastener 40 and a corresponding internally threaded nut 42. Platform portion 30 of tibial baseplate 12 includes a plurality of countersunk holes 44 sized to receive the head of fastener 40. Upon assembly, fastener 40 passes through holes 44 and into correspondingly formed holes 46 formed in platform 14 of support structure 10 (Fig. IB), which are aligned with holes 44 when support structure 10 and baseplate 12 are coupled to one another. Nut 42 is received within holes 46, such that fastener 40 may be thrcadably engaged with nut 42. Shoulder 43 axially fixes nut 42 with respect to distal surface 34 of support structure 10, so when fastener 40 is tightened, fastener 40 and nut 42 cooperate to mechanically fasten support structure 10 to tibial baseplate 12. Fasteners 40, nut 42 and tibial baseplate 12 may be made of a biocompatible material, such as titanium or cobalt chrome molybdenum. Such mechanical fixation facilitates revision surgeries by allowing tibial baseplate 12 to be removed from support structure 10 by disengaging fasteners 40 from respective nuts 42. Thus, even when support structure 10 has become embedded within the tibia over time via bone ingrowth into support structure 10, tibial baseplate remains removable without removal of support structure 10 or the surrounding bone.

[0088] Fig. 1H illustrates the use of support structure 10 and tibial baseplate 12 in conjunction with other prosthesis components used in a total knee replacement (TK.R) surgical procedure. In particular, femoral component 50 may be provided for implantation upon femur F, in order to replace the articular surfaces of the natural femoral condyles with prosthetic condyles 52,54. Femur F may be prepared to receive femoral component 50 by resection of the femoral condyles to create femoral facets Ff, which are positioned and configured to abut the corresponding facets of bone-contacting surface 56 of femoral component 50.

[0089] Tibial bearing component 58 may be fitted to tibial baseplate 12 in order to provide a low-friction articular interface with condyles 52,54 of femoral component 52. In one exemplary embodiment, tibial bearing component 58 cooperates with tibial baseplate 12 to form a fixed bearing design in which tibial bearing component 58 is immovably affixed to tibial baseplate 12 upon implantation. In another exemplary embodiment, tibial bearing component 58 is a mobile bearing design in which tibial bearing component is slidably and/or rotatably movable with respect to tibial baseplate 12 during knee articulation.

[0090] Tibial baseplate 12 and support structure 10 are affixed to tibia T upon prosthesis implantation. In one embodiment, the anatomic articular surfaces of tibia T are resected to create a substantially planar resected surface Ts, which is configured to abut the substantially planar distal surface 34 of support structure 10. A resected, generally conical cavity is also formed in tibia T to correspond with medullary portion 16 of support structure 10. An exemplary apparatus and method for forming medullary portion 16 is disclosed in U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 61/522,872 filed August 12,2011 and entitled PROSTHESIS RESECTION GUIDE.

[0091] Turning now to Figs. 2A and 2B, a relatively larger nominal size of support structure 110 is shown mated to a corresponding larger nominal size of tibial baseplate 112. Support structure 110 and baseplate 112 are generally similar to the small nominal size support structure 10 and correspondingly small tibial baseplate 12, discussed in detail above, but arc larger in dimension to accommodate larger natural anatomies. Reference numbers in Figs. 2A-2H refer to analogous structures described above with respect to support structures 10. [0092] Referring to a comparison of Figs. 1E and 2E, for example, large size support structure 110 defines an overall width W_L of platform 114 that is larger than the corresponding width Ws of platform 14. The distal end of medullary portion 116 defines a medial-lateral diameter DMLl which is also correspondingly larger than medial-lateral diameter DMLs of the relatively smaller medullary portion 16 of support structure 10. It should be appreciated that the term diameter as used herein does not necessarily imply a round cross-section, but may also refer to a dimension across a non-round cross section. For example, a diameter may be the major or minor axes of an ellipse, oval or other oblong shape.

[0093] Turning to a comparison of Figs. 1F and 2F, large size support structure 110 defines an overall height H_L, and anteroposterior length Li. of platform 114, and an anteroposterior diameter DAPl of medullary portion 116 that are larger than the corresponding height Hs, length L_s, and medullary portion diameter DAPs of the relatively smaller support structure 10. Smaller and larger sized support structures 10, 110 each define angle β between platforms 14, 114 and the posterior portion of medullary portions 16,116, respectively. It is contemplated

CA 2836772 2018-07-31

CA 02836772 2013-11-19

WO 2012/162180 PCT/US2012/038673 that angles α, β and 0 may be different among different support structure configurations. [0094] Moreover, small size support structure 10 is generally adapted for a small size tibia and a relatively small medullary defect within the tibia, which is filled in by medullary portion 16 as described in detail below. Larger size support structure 110, on the other hand, is adapted for a larger tibia having a relatively large volume of defective bone within the tibia. However, it is contemplated that any size platform may be paired with any size medullary portion. In an exemplary embodiment, a family or kit of support structures may be provided with differing support structure size/geometiy combinations. Each individual support structure may be suitable for one of a wide range of natural tibia sizes and bone defect geometries.

[0095] In an exemplary embodiment, support structure dimensions may be any of the following values, or may be any value within any range defined by the following values: support structure height Hs may be as little as 2 mm, 5 mm or 10 mm, w'hile height Hl may be as much as 60 mm, 80 mm or 100 mm; support structure length L_s may be as little as 40 mm, 50 mm or 60 mm, while length L_l may be as much as 90 mm, 110 mm or 130 mm; anteroposterior diameter DAPs may be as little as 10 mm, 30 mm or 50 mm, while anteroposterior diameter DAPl may be as much as 60 mm, 80 mm or 100 mm; support structure width Ws may be as little as 50 mm, 60 mm or 70 mm, while width Wl may be as much as 90 mm, 110 mm or 130 mm; medial-lateral diameter DMLs may be as little as 10 mm, 30 mm or 50 mm, while medial-lateral diameter DMLl may be as much as 90 mm 110 mm or 130 mm; support structure thickness Ts may be as little as 1 mm, 3 mm or 5 mm, while thickness If may be as much as 20 mm, 25 mm or 30 mm. An overall height of medullary portions 16, 116 may be determined by subtracting thickness Ts, Tl from overall structure height Hs, Hl respectively.

[0096] Larger size support structure 110, in addition to having larger nominal dimensions as detailed above, may also have certain unique geometrical characteristics. For example, referring to Fig. 2A, platform 114 includes tapered portion 115, which may taper in overall width and anteroposterior length in a similar fashion to a natural proximal tibia. Tapered portion 115 is beneficial when a large amount of the natural proximal tibia is resected, thereby requiring a large thickness Tl of platform 114 to maintain the natural joint line of the knee (as discussed above). In addition, referring to Figs. 2B and 2C, fin windows 128 are substantially smaller than the corresponding fin windows 28 on smaller sized support structure 10, because the larger size of support structure 110 allows for a minimum material thickness to be maintained through more of medullary portion 116 while providing adequate clearance 148 (Fig. 2H) for baseplate fins 120 of larger baseplate 112.

[0097] Medullary portions 16, 116 define a truncated, generally conical shape, as described

CA 02836772 2013-11-19

WO 2012/162180 PC17US2012/038673 in detail above. However, it is also contemplated that the medullary portion of a support structure in accordance with the present disclosure may have any shape, as required or desired for a particular application.

[0098] Turning to Fig. 3 A, for example, hemispherical support structure 210 includes platform 214, which may be similar to platforms 14 or 114 described above, and hemispherical medullary portion 216. Reference numbers in Figs. 3A - 3H refer to analogous structures described above with respect to support structures 10.

[0099] In the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 3 A, hemispherical medullary portion 216 includes cutouts 228 in place of fin windows 28,128 to accommodate fins 220 of tibial baseplate 212, though it is contemplated that the size of hemispherical medullary portion 216 may be expanded to create a window similar to fin windows 28, 128, or may be further expanded to eliminate the need for any fin accommodating window' while maintaining a minimum desired material thickness.

[00100] As described below, hemispherical medullary portion 216 may be mated with a correspondingly hemispherical cavity created within the tibia. Advantageously, such a hemispherical tibial cavity may be created with standard instruments typically used to prepare the acetabular cavity of a hip to receive an acetabular cup. Such instruments may include acetabular reamers, which are available in sizes small enough to be used with a tibia, such as a diameter as small as 18-20 mm, for example. Spherical support structure 210 may be provided in a wide range of sizes and geometrical configurations to accommodate a correspondingly wide range of anatomical configurations.

[00101] It is also contemplated that a support structure in accordance with the present disclosure may have other variations in geometry. For example, referring to Figs. 4A-4F, support structure 310 is illustrated with proximal surface 326 defining an angled profile with respect to axis Ai (Fig. 4A). Reference numbers in Figs. 4A-4F refer to analogous structures described above with respect to support structures 10.

[00102] Angled proximal surface 326 accommodates tibial baseplate 312, which is similarly angled. To create angled proximal surface 326 without disturbing the geometry of medullary portion 316 (which, in the illustrated embodiment, is substantially similar to medullary portion 16 of support structure 10), the thickness of platform portion 314 is varied rather than remaining constant (as thicknesses T_s, T_L do as described above). Thus, proximal surface 326 defines angle γ (Fig. 4A) with respect to axis Ai. The specific value of angle γ may vary depending on the corresponding angle of proximal portion 230 of tibial baseplate 312, which in turn varies as a function of the chosen anteroposterior angle of the proximal tibial resection

CA 02836772 2013-11-19

WO 2012/162180 PC17US2012/038673 performed by a surgeon (i.e., the tibial slope). In exemplary embodiments, angle γ may be as little as 0,3, or 5 degrees, or as large as 7,10, or 15 degrees, or may be any value within any range defined by the foregoing values. In these exemplary embodiments, angle γ is positive when proximal surface 326 corresponds to a positive tibial slope, which is a slope angled upward along a posterior-to-anterior direction.

[00103] In use, one of support structures 10, 110, 210, 310 is implanted upon the proximal tibia when it is determined that portions of the proximal tibial plateau and the metaphyseal and/or diaphyseal bone within the tibia are both damaged and/or diseased, therefore requiring resection. Such bone is resected in a conventional manner, typically with reference to the medullary canal. Additional instrumentation, known to persons having ordinary skill in the art of knee arthroplasty and other orthopaedic surgeries, may be used to orient tibial keel 18, 118, 218 or 318 with respect to the medullary canal of the tibia, such that tibial baseplate 12,112, 212 or 312 will be properly centered on the resected proximal surface of the tibia when the surgical implantation is complete.

[00104] In the metaphyseal and/or diaphyseal portions of the tibia a void is created in the bone to correspond to the geometry of the medullary portion of the chosen support structure (i.e., one of medullary portions 16,116,216,316). In the case of a generally conical medullary portion, such as medullary portions 16,116,316, a combination of burrs, mills and/or reamers may be used to create a correspondingly conical medullary void. In the case of a hemispherical medullary portion, such as medullary portion 216, an appropriately sized hemispherical reamer, similar to an acetabular reamer used in hip arthroplasty procedures, may be used to prepare the medullaiy void. In all cases, the medullary void may be sized for a press-fit of medullary portion 16, 116, 216 or 316, thereby preventing the need for bone cement to aid in the fixation of support structure 10,110,210 or 310 to the tibia. As noted above, ingrowth of natural bone into the material of the support structure may be the primary or sole method of fixation between the tibial bone and support structure.

[00105] Support structures 10,110, 210, 310 may be used to restore the joint line of the natural knee where a large amount of the proximal tibia has been resected to remove correspondingly large amounts of diseased, damaged or otherwise defective bone stock. The combination of platforms 14, 114, 214, 314 into a single monolithic structure with medullary portions 16,116,216,316, respectively, ensures that this joint line is maintained over a long period of time by providing a large bone-contacting surface area. In addition, this monolithic combination presents many bone-contacting faces, each of which are oriented in a different direction with respect to the others to yield a 3-dimcnsional or multi-faceted profile of

CA 02836772 2013-11-19

WO 2012/162180 PCT/US2012/038673 bone-contacting faces. This 3-dimensional profile facilitates multidirectional stabilization of the support structure, and of the tibial baseplate mounted thereto, thereby minimizing or eliminating subsidence, anteroposterior movement and medial-lateral movement of the tibial prosthesis in vivo. Moreover, it has been found that the stability provided by a monolithic support structure made in accordance with the present disclosure provides greater stability than would otherwise be provided by a separate tibial cone-shaped implant and a plate-shaped tibial augment implant, whether used in combination or alone.

[00106] Advantageously, a support structure made in accordance with the present disclosure docs not require the use of cement for fixation to a bone. This lack of cement facilitates bone ingrowth by allowing bone to interdigitate more deeply with the porous bone contacting surfaces of platforms 14, 114, 214,314 and medullary portions 16,116,216,316. This deep bone ingrowth provides stronger and more secure fixation than could be expected from adhesion between bone cement and bone. Thus, a support structure in accordance with the present disclosure provides a bone replacement and restoration mechanism which gives rise to a stable, bone-like support structure for tibial baseplate components and other associated knee prosthesis components.

[00107] Also advantageously, tibial baseplates 12, 112, 212, 312 are removable from support structures 10,110, 210 in a revision surgeiy, even if substantial bone ingrowth has occurred between the tibia and support structures 10, 110,210 or 310. Because no cement is required, as discussed above, cemented fixation between a tibial baseplate and a support structure in accordance with the present disclosure is not required. Rather, mechanical fixation may be used, such as with fastener 40 and nut 42 as detailed above. If a revision surgery is required, such mechanical fixation can be reversed by removing fastener 40 from nut 42, thereby freeing the tibial baseplate from the support structure. The support structure can be left behind, and may therefore remain thoroughly interdigitated with ingrown bone. This remaining support structure obviates the need for removal of any further bone stock during a revision surgery, and provides a reusable, stable and strong support platform for a new tibial baseplate and/or other knee prosthesis components.

[00108] Further, the strength of fixation between a support structure in accordance with the present disclosure and the adjacent bone is unexpectedly stronger than other designs adapted for use without bone cement. The monolithic, integral nature of support structures 10,110,210, 310 results in a stronger implant as compared to two separate implants separately affixed to the bone. Thus, the overall area of bone ingrowth for support structures 10, 110, 210, 310 is substantially larger than any other similarly sized individual tibial augment structure.

CA 02836772 2013-11-19

WO 2012/162180

PCT/US2012/038673

[00109] While the disclosure has been described as having exemplary designs, the present disclosure can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.