| abstract |
The invention concerns an arthroplasty implant for providing a joint between first and second members of the body, such as a metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint or a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. The implant of the invention includes a fist component ( 10 ) defining a concave surface ( 14 ), a second component ( 20 ) defining a convex surface ( 24 ) and an intermediate component ( 32 ) which is located between the first and second components. The intermediate component has a convex surface ( 36 ) which is slidable on the concave surface of the first component to allow articulation between the first component and the intermediate component and a concave surface slidable on the convex surface of the second component to allow articulation between the second component and the intermediate component. A means ( 16, 38; 50, 60 ) is provided to prevent the intermediate component from separating laterally from at least one of the first and second components. |