INTRA-ARTICULAR JOINT REPLACEMENT

Abstract

A method of forming a shoulder prosthesis includes resecting an end portion of a humerus to form a resected end of the humerus and a resected portion separated from the humerus, the resected portion having an outer convex surface and an inner surface. The inner surface of the resected portion is processed to include a concave articular surface. The outer convex surface of the resected portion is implanted in the resected end of the humerus. An implant having a convex articular surface is secured to a glenoid. The concave articular surface of the resected portion is articulated with the convex articular surface of the implant.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for implanting a prosthesis at the intersection of two or more bone, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for processing and implanting a resected portion of a humerus to act as an articular surface for an interpositional implant of a shoulder prosthesis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of total shoulder prostheses, prostheses are commonly said to be inverted when they comprise a glenoid component that is integral with the glenoid surface of a scapula of a patient's shoulder and that delimits a convex articular surface and a humeral component that is integral with the humerus of the patient's shoulder and that delimits a concave articular surface. The cooperation of the articular surfaces of the glenoid and humeral components allow an articulated connection to be reproduced at the shoulder. However, it is common with this type of prosthesis that during adductive movement of the shoulder, the lower portion of the humeral prosthetic component strikes the pillar of the scapula, i.e. the lower portion of the glenoid located just below the glenoid prosthetic component (when the patient is standing upright). This interference between the humeral prosthetic component and the scapula limits the range of adductive movement of the shoulder and may cause pain to the patient or even lead to the prosthesis becoming dislodged due to, for example, osteolysis of the scapula.

Another method used to replace damaged shoulder joints is interpositional arthroplasty. The method of interpositional arthroplasty uses tissue from the patient or an artificial replacement to repair a damaged or malformed joint. An interpositional implant is positioned at the joint to act as an engagement surface between two adjacent bone structures to allow articular movement. In the particular field of interpositional shoulder arthroplasty, the humeral metaphysis is typically impacted to form an engagement surface for an interpositional implant positioned between a glenoid component (or glenoid) and a humeral component (or humeral metaphysis). However, if the cancellous bone in the humeral metaphysis is of poor or degraded quality, the cancellous bone may lead to gradual subsidence of the interpositional implant within the humeral metaphysis. It is thus desirable to develop an interpositional implant with a metaphyseal articular surface that will provide support and protection to the metaphyseal cancellous bone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments relate to a method of forming a shoulder prosthesis, including forming a concave articular surface into an end portion of a humerus, including compacting bone of the end portion to define the concave articular surface. An implant having a convex articular surface is secured to a glenoid. The concave articular surface of the humerus is articulated with the convex articular surface of the implant.

Other embodiments relate to a method of forming a shoulder prosthesis, including resecting an end portion of a humerus to form a resected end of the humerus and a resected portion separated from the humerus, the resected portion having an outer convex surface and an inner surface. The inner surface of the resected portion is processed to comprise a concave articular surface. The outer convex surface of the resected portion is implanted in the resected end of the humerus. An implant having a convex articular surface is secured to a glenoid. The concave articular surface of the resected portion is articulated with the convex articular surface of the implant.

Still other embodiments relate to a method of forming a shoulder prosthesis, including forming a recess in an end portion of a humerus and disposing a reinforcing structure across at least a portion of the recess to form a concave articular surface of the humerus. The reinforcing structure is attached to the humerus. An implant having a convex articular surface is secured to a glenoid. The concave articular surface of the resected portion is articulated directly with the convex articular surface of the implant.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of an intra-articular prosthesis implanted in a patient's shoulder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a schematic view of an alternate prosthesis implanted in a patient's shoulder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a cutting guide for a proximal portion of a humerus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a resected portion of the proximal portion of the humerus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a method of preparing a resected proximal portion of the humerus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a method and apparatus for implanting the resected portion of the proximal portion of the humerus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a resected portion implanted into a proximal portion of the humerus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a resected portion implanted into a proximal portion of the humerus using fasteners in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a resected portion implanted into a proximal portion of the humerus using sutures in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an interpositional implant engaged with an implanted resected portion in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of intra-articular prostheses implanted in a patient's hand in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of intra-articular prostheses implanted in a patient's foot in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A shows a schematic view of a prosthesis 10 including a glenoid component 12, a humeral component 14 and an interpositional implant 16. The glenoid component 12 is implanted in the scapula S of the glenoid G. The method and apparatus of the various embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein may be used with a variety of glenoid components, such as for example those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,033,396; 6,953,478; 6,761,740; 6,626,946; 5,702,447 and U.S. Publication Nos. 2004/0220673; 2005/0278030; 2005/0278031; 2005/0278032; 2006/0020344, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Although the prosthesis 10 is primarily discussed as being implanted in a patient's shoulder, the prosthesis 10 may also be modified and implanted in other locations of a patient's body without departing from the intended scope of the present invention. For example, the prosthesis 10 may be modified to be implanted in a patient's hip, ankle, hands, or feet.

In the illustrated embodiment, the glenoid component 12 includes an articular member 18 with a generally concave articular surface 20 that engages the interpositional implant 16. Given that the articular member 18 is positioned immediately adjacent the glenoid G, the interpositional implant 16 is remote from the resected surface of the glenoid G in the sense that, if the articular member 18 were omitted, the interpositional implant 16 would be directly juxtaposed with the glenoid G. Thus, on account of the articular member 18, the interpositional implant 16 and the humeral component 14 are laterally remote from the glenoid G, limiting the risk of the humerus H interfering with the bottom of the glenoid G, i.e. with the pillar P of the scapula S. Alternatively, an articular member 18 may not be required within the glenoid G. In this case, the interpositional implant 16 would articulate directly with the glenoid G.

The humeral component 14 includes an articular member 24 formed from a resected portion 30 (shown in FIG. 3) of the proximal humerus PH that is removed during processing of the humerus H. The proximal humerus PH is preferably resected such that the resected portion 30 is preferably a single, unitary piece. In this form, an outer convex surface 58 of the resected portion 30 is implanted into the proximal humerus PH as a single unit, rather than as fragments.

Alternatively, the resected portion 30 can be formed from a single piece or a plurality of pieces taken from the proximal humerus PH or other locations in the patient's body. Implantation of the resected portion 30 can be supplemented with bone graft material, such as for example a purée of bone substance, bone replacements, bone fillers, bone cements and/or bone adhesives, or a combination thereof. The bone graft material can be formed from the patient's bone, an allograft, a xenograft, or a combination thereof. Various bone replacements, bone fillers, bone cements and bone adhesives are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,563 (Zimmerman), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Various additives can also be included with the resected portion, including, but not limited to bone growth agents and pain inhibitors.

As will be discussed further below, the resected portion 30 is prepared and impacted into the proximal humerus PH to form the articular member 24 having a concave articular surface 32. The preparation of the resected portion 30 can be performed ex vivo or in situ.

In the illustrated embodiment, the humeral component 14 includes an optional stem 22 located in the medullary cavity M of the humerus H. The proximal end 28 of the stem 22 supports the resected portion 30 and optionally serves as an attachment member. For example, a fastener 26 can optionally extend through the resected portion 30 and engage the stem 22. It will be appreciated that the stem 22 may be omitted entirely without departing from the intended scope of the present invention.

The interpositional implant 16 is positioned between the articular member 18 of the glenoid component 12 and the articular member 24 of the humeral component 14. The radius of the interpositional implant 16 is typically equal to or less than the radii of the concave surfaces 20 and 32 of the articular member 18 of the glenoid component 12 and the articular member 24 of the humeral component 14, respectively. When the interpositional implant 16 is positioned between the glenoid component 12 and the humeral component 14, as shown in FIG. 1A, the concave surfaces 20 and 32 are in mutual surface contact with the interpositional implant 16, allowing articular movements of the patient's shoulder.

In an alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, the interpositional implant 16 is eliminated and a glenoid component 18 with a convex articular surface 19 is substituted. The articular member 24, created as outlines in FIG. 1A, engages directly with the convex articular surface 19.

FIGS. 2-9 illustrate various embodiments for processing and implanting the prosthesis 10 into the humerus H. It is to be understood that the method of implanting the prosthesis 10 described hereinafter is merely a non-limiting illustrative example of a method and instruments used to implant the prosthesis 10. In other words, the method and the instruments specified hereinafter can be used to implant prostheses of a broad range of structures, of which, for example, the glenoid and/or humeral components 12, 14 consist of a plurality of metallic, plastic and/or ceramic-type parts joined together. As previously mentioned, the interpositional implant 16 may also articulate directly with the glenoid G such that the glenoid component 12 is not included as part of the prosthesis 10.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a cutting guide 34 positioned over the proximal humerus PH. In order to prepare the proximal humerus PH for resection, the soft parts (i.e. cartilage) of the proximal humerus PH may optionally be removed using a deltopectoral or supero-external approach.

The cutting guide 34 includes a bell-shaped body 36 secured to a shaft 38. An interior surface of the body 36 has a concave surface from which the main center of curvature pertains substantially to an axis 40 from which the shaft 38 extends from the body 36. The body 36 is designed to cover the upper portion of the proximal humerus PH in the manner of a cap and is perforated to give the surgeon a better view of the proximal humerus PH when positioning the body 36. The body 36 is thus shaped to reproduce approximately the surface features of the upper proximal humerus PH of a normal anatomical humerus H. However, in practice, there will be a range of a plurality of homothetic guiding instruments 34 having bodies 36 which have respective dimensions associated with the size and the state of the patient's bones.

The shaft 38 of the cutting guide 34 is optionally provided with a protruding tube 42 centered on the axis 40 and the main center of curvature of the body 36. Once the body 36 is properly positioned over the proximal humerus PH, a guide pin 44 having a pointed distal end is introduced into the protruding tube 42 and inserted into the proximal humerus PH. The guide pin 44 preferably terminates before the cutting plane C-C′. The surgeon uses the distal surface 27 on the body 36 located in the cutting plane C-C′ to resect the portion 30 from the proximal humerus PH. Alternatively, the surgeon can cut free-hand without a template.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the resected portion 30 of the proximal humerus PH. After the proximal humerus PH has been resected, the proximal humerus PH has a cut surface 66 where the resected portion 30 was removed. The resected portion 30 includes a convex outer surface 58 and an inner cut surface 50 of cancellous bone 52. In one embodiment, the resected portion 30 is prepared ex vivo by impacting the inner cut surface 50 to compress the cancellous bone 52 to form the generally inner convex surface 32. As a result, the inner convex surface 32 is a layer of compacted cancellous bone 52 pressed against the inner surface 54 of the cortical bone 56.

In another embodiment, the resected portion 30 is prepared ex vivo by removing the cancellous bone 52 from the cortical bone 56. As a result, the inner convex surface 32 is essentially the inner surface 54 of the cortical bone 56. Either of these procedures can also be performed in situ. That is, after the resected portion 30 is engaged with the proximal humerus PH.

In some embodiments, the cut surface 66 of the proximal humerus PH is prepared to receive the resected portion 30. A hemispherical reaming instrument 64, shown in FIG. 4, is used to form a concave surface 60 in the proximal humerus PH. The reaming instrument 64 includes a convex body 68 having a plurality of teeth 70 to shape the cut surface 66 into the desired form. The concave surface 60 is preferably the same shape as the outer convex surface 58 of the resected portion 30.

In another embodiment, the cut surface 66 (shown in dashed lines) is compacted or carved to form the concave surface 60 on the proximal humerus PH. Preparing the cut surface 66 of the proximal humerus PH may be performed using a variety of other techniques known in the art without departing from the intended scope of the present invention. Small holes may optionally be drilled through the concave surface 60 to enhance bone integration remodeling once the resected portion 30 is reversed and implanted in the humerus H.

FIG. 5 shows the resected portion 30 being impacted into engagement with the concave surface 60 of the proximal humerus PH. The resected portion 30 is positioned within the concave surface 60 such that the convex outer surface 58 engages the concave surface 60. An impacting instrument 78 is then used to drive the resected portion 30 into the proximal humerus PH to form the articular member 24 having a semi-spherical shape at the concave surface 60 of the proximal humerus PH. As the resected portion 30 is driven into the proximal humerus PH, cancellous bone at each side of the proximal humerus PH is compressed and forms to the shape of the concave surface 60.

In an alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the resected portion 30 is compacted directly against the cut surface 66, without the reaming step shown in FIG. 4. By gradually integrating the resected portion 30 into the proximal humerus PH, a strong bony or fibrous-cartilaginous underlying support structure having the concave surface 60 is created to support the articular member 24. In addition, the resected portion 30 is used to isolate the cancellous bone 67 in the humerus H from synovial fluids. The resected portion 30 is preferably driven into the proximal humerus PH as a single unit such that the resulting articular member 24 is an integral piece and is not formed of fragmented pieces. The articular member 24 has a shape of a metaphyseal cup formed to cooperate with a variety of interpositional components, such as, for example, a full sphere, a lens-type free interpositional component, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the articular member 24 may have a shape of approximately one-third of a sphere.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of one embodiment of attaching the articular member 24 to the concave surface 60 of the proximal humerus PH using a plurality of pins 80. The heads 82 of the pins 80 are preferably flush with, or recessed below, the concave inner surface 32. Various bone anchors, known in the art, may also be used in place of the pins 80. The pins 80 may be formed of various materials, including, but not limited to: metallic components and polymeric components. In particular, the pins 80 may be formed of bioresorbable polymers. The pins 80 are particularly useful when the resected portion 30 includes a plurality of pieces 30A, 30B, 30C.

In one embodiment, a suture material 84 is optionally attached to one or more of the pins 80. The suture material 84 extends through the proximal humerus PH to the opposite side and is anchored to the cortical bone 86 using conventional techniques. The suture material 84 operates as a tension member to retain the resected portion 30 to the concave surface 60 of the proximal humerus PH.

In an alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the resected portion 30 is attached to the proximal humerus PH using a plurality of peripheral sutures 90. The sutures 90 may be formed of various materials, including, but not limited to: metallic components and polymeric components. In particular, the sutures 90 may be formed of bioresorbable polymers. The resected portion 30 may be fixed within the proximal humerus PH by any fixation mechanism, or combination of fixation mechanisms, known in the art without departing from the intended scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment, a reinforcing structure 92, such as for example reinforcing fibers, a three-dimensional porous matrix or scaffold, is located between the concave surface 60 on the proximal humerus PH and the resected portion 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcing structure 92 is attached to the cortical bone 86 of the proximal humerus PH by the sutures 90. In one embodiment, the reinforcing structure 92 operates like a sling to limit further penetration of the resected portion 30 into the proximal humerus PH. In another embodiment, the reinforcing structure 92 promotes in-growth between the proximal humerus PH and the resected portion 30. Examples of such reinforcing structures include a porous matrix, a scaffold, a reticulated bioceramic framework, a structured porous tantalum and a synthetic fiber mesh. Various porous matrices and scaffoldings are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,479,271; 6,511,511; 6,605,117; 6,797,006; 6,902,584; and 7,250,550, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Although the reinforcing structure 92 is discussed as being used in conjunction with the resected portion 30, the reinforcing structure 92 may alternatively be used in place of the resected portion 30 as an articular surface for engaging the interpositional implant 16 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 9).

In another embodiment, the reinforcing structure 92 extends beyond the sutures 90. The reinforcing structure 92 may be made of any material, natural and synthetic, suitable for implantation. Preferably the reinforcing structure 92 is flexible to permit conformity with the proximal humerus PH. The reinforcing structure 92 material may also permit intraoperative cutting or other shaping of the reinforcing structure 92 to fit a surgical site. For example the reinforcing structure 92 may be intraoperatively shapeable by cutting with scissors. The reinforcing structure 92 may include natural tissues including fibrocartilage, fascia, pericardium, and/or other natural tissues. The reinforcing structure 92 may include synthetic materials including metals, polymers, ceramics, hydrogels and/or other suitable materials. A polymer reinforcing structure 92 may include resorbable and/or non-resorbable polymers. Examples of resorbable polymers include polylactic acid polymers, polyglycolic acid polymers, and/or other suitable resorbable polymers. Examples of non-resorbable polymers include polyolefins, polyesters, polyimides, polyamides, polyacrylates, polyketones, and/or other suitable non-resorbable polymers. A metal reinforcing structure 92 may include titanium, tantalum, stainless steel, and/or other suitable metals and alloys thereof. For example metal fibers may be woven into a porous flexible reinforcing structure 92.

The reinforcing structure 92 may be attached to the hard and/or soft tissues of the proximal humerus PH by mechanical fasteners 94, adhesives, tissue in-growth, and/or other suitable attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism may be permanent and/or bioabsorbable. For example, the reinforcing structure 92 may be screwed, pinned, sutured, or stapled to the bone and/or soft tissue adjacent the joint. The reinforcing structure 92 may include preformed openings for receiving fasteners. The reinforcing structure 92 may include a reinforced edge to strengthen the reinforcing structure 92 against pullout of fasteners. For example, the edge may be reinforced by hemming, molding, braiding, embedding a cord, and/or by other suitable reinforcement mechanism. The reinforced edge may form a thicker portion of the reinforcing structure 92.

FIG. 9 shows the interpositional implant 16 positioned within the articular member 24 at the concave surface 60 of the proximal humerus PH. Referring again also to FIG. 1A, once the articular member 24 is fixed onto the proximal humerus PH or the stem 22 and the articular member 18 is fixed onto the glenoid G, the interpositional implant 16 is positioned between the articular member 24 and the articular member 18. In one embodiment, the interpositional implant 16 is a sphere or ball having a continuous convex surface 104. The interaction of the convex surface 104 of the interpositional implant 16 with the concave articular surface 32 of the articular member 24 and the concave surface 20 of the articular member 18 allows articulation of the prosthesis 10. The size of the interpositional implant 16 is selected such that the convex surface 104 of the interpositional implant 16 is engageable with both the concave surface 20 of the articular member 18 and the concave articular surface 32 of the articular member 24. In one embodiment, the interpositional implant 16 is formed of a polymeric material, metal, ceramic, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the interpositional implant 16 is coated with pyrolytic carbon such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,146 (Hassler et al.) which is hereby incorporated by reference. Although FIG. 9 depicts the interpositional implant 16 as a sphere, the interpositional implant 16 may have any shape having at least two convex surfaces, such as a disc. The disc may articulate directly with the glenoid G and the humerus H without the need for articular member 18 of glenoid component 12 or articular member 24 of humeral component 14. In another embodiment, the interpositional implant may be replaced by a glenosphere formed of pyrolytic carbon. For example, a convex surface of the glenosphere, or reversed glenoid prosthesis, may be adapted to articulate directly with the reversed, concave surface of the humerus H, and thus eliminate the need for an interpositional implant.

As previously mentioned, the method of resecting natural bone and compacting the resected surface of the natural bone with the resected portion to form a concave articular surface for engagement with a convex articular surface of an interpositional implant to repair or replace a damaged joint is not limited to repairing or replacing a damaged shoulder.

FIG. 10 shows a hand having a first interpositional implant 100 implanted between metacarpal 102 and proximal phalange 104. The distal end 120 of the metacarpal 102 is resected and processed in a manner similar to the resection and processing of the glenoid and humeral components 12 and 14 (shown in FIG. 1A) described above, to create a concave articular surface 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal end 124 of the proximal phalange 104 is also resected and processed to create a concave articular surface 126.

FIG. 10 also illustrates a second interpositional implant 106 implanted between metacarpal 108 and proximal phalange 110, and a third interpositional implant 112 implanted between proximal phalange 114 and intermediate phalange 116. The bones 102, 104, 108, 110, 114 and 116 adjacent the respective interpositional implants 100, 106 and 112 are preferably resected and processed in a manner similar to the resection and processing of the glenoid and humeral components 12 and 14 (shown in FIG. 1A) described above. In some embodiments, a natural concave articular surface of one of the bones at the intersection, such as for example on the proximal end 128 of the proximal phalange 110, may be sufficient to retain the interpositional implant 106, making resection unnecessary. The interpositional implants 100, 106 and 112 interact and function with the resected bones in a manner similar to the interpositional implant 16 described above.

In another embodiment, the proximal end 130 of the proximal phalange 114 is resected and processed as discussed herein. The naturally convex surface 132 of the metacarpal 134 engages directly with the concave articular surface 136, without the need for an interpositional implant.

As can be seen in FIG. 10, depending on the joint being repaired or replaced, the shape of the interpositional implants 100, 106 and 112 may be modified so that they are easily implantable between their respective components or bones. Although FIG. 10 depicts interpositional implants between metacarpal bones and proximal phalanges and an interpositional implant between a proximal phalange and a middle phalange, an interpositional implant may be positioned at any joint in the hand, for example, between a middle phalange bone and a distal phalange bone or between the trapezium or scaphoid and a metacarpal bone.

FIG. 11 shows a foot having a first interpositional implant 200 implanted between a metatarsal 202 and a proximal phalange 204 and a second interpositional implant 206 implanted between the proximal phalange 204 and a distal phalange 208. The bones 202, 204 and 208 adjacent the respective interpositional implants 200 and 206 are resected and processed in a manner similar to the resection and processing of the glenoid and humeral components 12 and 14 (shown in FIG. 1A) described above. Likewise, the interpositional implants 200 and 206 interact and function with the resected bones in a manner similar to the interpositional implant 16 described above.

Similar to the interpositional implants 100, 106 and 112 depicted in FIG. 10, the shape of the interpositional implants 200 and 206 may be modified so that they correspond to the shape of the resected bone structures within the foot. Although FIG. 11 depicts an interpositional implant between a metatarsal bone and a proximal phalange and an interpositional implant between a proximal phalange and a middle phalange, an interpositional implant may be positioned at any joint in the foot, for example, between a proximal phalange and a middle phalange or between a middle phalange and a distal phalange. Any of the variations disclosed herein can be used with the embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 11, such as for example, the reinforcing structure or fasteners.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1.-13. (canceled)

14. A method of reinforcing a shoulder, the method comprising: forming a concave recess in an end portion of a humerus;disposing a reinforcing structure on the formed recess to form a concave articular surface, the reinforcing structure comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface being positioned between the second surface and the formed recess;

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising articulating the concave articular surface of the reinforcing structure directly with the convex articular surface of the first implant.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising positioning a convex surface of a second implant adjacent the concave articular surface, such that the reinforcing structure is disposed between the humerus and the second implant.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting an implant formed of pyrolytic carbon.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting a reinforcing structure formed of material including at least one of: a porous matrix, a scaffold, a reticulated bioceramic framework, a structured porous tantalum, a synthetic fiber mesh, and reinforcing fibers.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting a reinforcing structure comprising a resorbable polymer.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the resorbable polymer comprises at least one of: polylactic acid polymers and polyglycolic acid polymers.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting a reinforcing structure comprising a non-resorbable polymer.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-resorbable polymer comprises at least one of polyolefins, polyesters, polyimides, polyamides, polyacrylates, and polyketones.

23. The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting a reinforcing structure comprising at least one of titanium, tantalum, and stainless steel.

24. The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting a reinforcing structure comprising a ceramic.

25. The method of claim 14, further comprising selecting a reinforcing structure comprising a hydrogel.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein attaching the reinforcing structure to the cortical bone comprises the use of at least one of: sutures, mechanical fasteners, adhesive, and tissue in-growth.

27. A method of reinforcing a bone, the method comprising: forming a concave recess in an end portion of a first bone;disposing a flexible reinforcing structure across at least a portion of the concave recess to form a concave articular surface, the flexible reinforcing structure being sufficiently flexible for the flexible reinforcing structure to conform to the concave recess of the first bone;attaching the flexible reinforcing structure to the first bone; andsecuring an implant having a convex articular surface to a second bone.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising articulating the concave articular surface of the reinforcing structure directly with the convex articular surface of the implant.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the implant is a shoulder implant.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising selecting a flexible reinforcing structure formed of material including at least one of: a porous matrix, a scaffold, a reticulated bioceramic framework, a structured porous tantalum, a synthetic fiber mesh, and reinforcing fibers.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein attaching the flexible reinforcing structure to the first bone comprises the use of at least one of: sutures, mechanical fasteners, adhesive, and tissue in-growth.

32. A method of reinforcing a bone, the method comprising: forming a concave recess in an end portion of a first bone;disposing a reinforcing structure on the formed recess to form a concave articular surface, the reinforcing structure comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface being positioned between the second surface and the formed recess;attaching the reinforcing structure to the first bone; andsecuring an implant having a convex articular surface to a second bone.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising articulating the concave articular surface of the reinforcing structure directly with the convex articular surface of the implant.