US Patent 7819878 Tibial condylar hemiplasty tissue preparation instruments and methods

A method for resecting at least a portion of a lateral or medial facet at the proximal end of a tibia includes forming a tunnel having a proximal end on a lateral, medial, or anterior side of a proximal end of a tibia and a distal end on a lateral or medial facet at the proximal end of the tibia. A first end of a retention rod is advanced from the proximal end of the tunnel to the distal end of the tunnel. The first end of the retention rod is coupled to a rasp. At least the rasp or the retention rod is moved so as to cause the rasp to resect at least a portion of the lateral or medial facet of the tibia.