For Surgeons
Choose joint preservation.
The Accu-Joint® Implant System is a revolutionary, FDA-approved treatment for MTP joint disorders that enables restoration of MTP joint function and motion.
Watch our surgical demonstration
“Simply said, the Accu-Joint® Implant restores anatomical function. It allows natural joint motion by design and does not preclude the option of future treatments if required. I am excited to offer the Accu-Joint® Implant to my patients and select joint preservation over joint fusion.”
— Dr. Glenn C. Vitale, DPM, FACFAS
Don’t replace, resurface!
The Accu-Joint® Implant is a simple, elegant system that resurfaces the MTP joint instead of resecting the hard bone, strengthening the implant and restoring function and motion.
2-Stage MTP Joint Reamer
Our unique 2-stage reamers remove worn cartilage, smooth bone spurs, and create a 1 mm recess to countersink the implant into the hard subchondral bone end in one single process. This results in complete resurfacing of the bone ends, preserving bone anatomy thereby creating an exact radius match of bone to implant for precise seating.
At the same time, second-stage blades produce 360-degree clearance around the implant edge, enabling articulation from cortex to cortex. This allows the newly resurfaced joint to articulate in a smooth manner across the entire articular surface.
- Outer-articular radius cheilectomy of the articular surface to the outer cortex.
- Intra-articular radius cheilectomy for precise bone radius and implant countersinking.
Accu-Joint® Implant
The Accu-Joint® Implant is designed to replace original cartilaginous anatomy. This is accomplished by preserving the subchondral bone end, thus providing a true articular surface replacement, and the solid rigid internal fixation needed for support, function and longevity. By preserving its existence, it will continue to support the implanted articular surface. The implant is sized to be 10-15% smaller than the diameter of the bone end, which ensures that the bone, not the implant, bears the full weight of the body. The preservation of the joint’s anatomical structures creates the strength and stability necessary for foot function.
- Non-cannulated, solid stem, cancellous threads help to prevent entry of infection into the medullary canal, and provide superior strength to the implant.
- The implant is rigidly fixated into subchondral bone, is 10 degrees wider than the stem, thus transferring the dynamic and static stresses off of the medullary stem, and into the hard subchondral bone.
- Grooves and scalloped edges under the head of the implant allow bone ongrowth, reducing implant rotation or loosening, thus preventing anti-rotation.
- Implant diameter is 10-15% less than the diameter of the bone which prevents weight bearing on the implant and transfers the load to the preserved hard bone.
Accu-Joint® Implant System Instruments
Trials
Cannulated Drill Bit
Torx Driver
The Accu-Joint® Implant difference
Regain functionality
Unlike fusions, the Accu-Joint® Implant enables patients to regain mobility and joint functionality.
No resection of the bone end
Our patented 2-stage reamer resurfaces the bone end without the need for resection.
Non-weight bearing design
Body weight is transferred to the preserved bone, rather than the implant.
Fast, active recovery
The Accu-Joint® Implant is weight-bearing from day 1 and patients are back on their feet in days, not weeks.
The Accu-Joint® Implant is approved for the treatment of arthritic conditions of the greater and lesser MPJ’s.
"The Accu-Joint® surgery allows for more mobility than a fusion because your joint is able to flex and move like it naturally would…The Accu-Joint® has given me more freedom to get back to activities that I enjoy...It’s the best option in my opinion and could definitely be a game changer for folks. If you can get your foot back to full mobility, the sky’s the limit."
— Greg Kite, Fomer NBA Basketball Player and Accu-Joint® Patient
How it works
Step 1
Obtain full exposure. Perform an aggressive extra articular cheilectomy including the dorsal exostectomy and reduce the joint size to normal.
Step 2
A McGlamry elevator is utilized to free up the sesamoid apparatus and reduce flexor binding. Release of these adhesions is necessary for restoration of anatomic motion. Complete a full 360 degree extra-articular cheilectomy. Resection of the dorsal exostosis is important to reduce the enlarged joint to its original size, and to recreate the dorsal articulation
Step 3
Center and align the trial to the bone articular surface. The trial for the Accu-Joint® Hemi Implant should be positioned perpendicular to the articular set angle with the stem of the implant angled slightly plantarly.
Step 4
The trial can be used as a guide for the insertion of the K wire and visualizing with C-ARM is essential to ensure the wire is properly placed. 30-40 mm of the wire should be left exposed to aid with instrumentation. The K-wire should be positioned so the stem of the implant rests in the plantar half of the first metatarsal.
Step 5
Use the two-stage reamer gently and lightly with high-speed revolution for removal of worn cartilage and any indicated decompression. The subchondral bone remains preserved for rigid fixation of the Accu-Joint®.
Step 6
Drill the pilot hole until the top of the counterbore is flush with the surface of the bone. For soft bone only drill to the bottom of the counterbore.
Step 7
The trial is placed, the K-wire removed and range of motion simulated. The goal is to achieve 90 degrees of dorsiflexion during this step. If desired range of motion is not achieved, remove the trial and decompress further. Ensure the implant is sized appropriately and does not overhang the prepared surface. The Tap can be utilized at surgeon discretion.
Step 8
Thread the Accu-Joint® Hemi Implant into the pilot hole using the T-6 driver. Ensure 360 degree seating of the implant onto the bone with no gapping. Confirm adequate seating with X-ray.
Step 9
Ensure that smooth range of motion is verified using simulated weight bearing. Flush and closure is completed followed by another final check of the range of motion. Postoperatively, immediate and full weight bearing is allowed using a surgical shoe. During the first 3 days rest, ice, and elevation are encouraged. Further care will follow a normal postoperative protocol.
Who is the Accu-Joint® Implant for?
The Accu-Joint® Hemi Implant should be used to treat patients with degenerative and post-traumatic arthritis of the MTP joint who have hallux limitus or hallux rigidus, or any arthritic conditions having unstable or painful MTP joints. The Implant is intended to be used with bone cement.*
*At the surgeon’s discretion/decision
Become an Accu-Joint® Implant surgeon and join us in the fight for function over fusion
Fill out the form and our team will be in touch to schedule a call.
"*" indicates required fields
This material is intended for health care professionals. Distribution to any other recipient is prohibited. For product information, including indications, contraindications,warnings, precautions, potential adverse effects, and patient counseling information, see the package insert and www.accufixsurgical.com. The Accu-Joint® hemi implant, a hemi-arthroplasty metatarsal head or phalangeal base implant for the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, is indicated for use in the treatment of patients with degenerative and post-traumatic arthritis in the MTP joint in the presence of good bone stock, along with the following clinical conditions: Hallux Limitus, Hallux Valgus, Hallux Rigidus, and an unstable or painful MTP joint. The Accu-Joint® hemi implant is intended to be used with bone cement. The metatarsal head and phalangeal base may not be used together at the same joint. Potential risks include, but are not limited to, risks of the procedure, including the risk of implant breakage, failure or loosening, bone fracture, allergic reaction to implant materials or infection, any of which can require additional surgery. For complete prescribing information, see the package insert and www.accufixsurgical.com.