An improved implant for use primarily within the first metatarsophalangeal
joint. The implant includes an elliptical, concave, joint surface
positioned on a stem and is designed to be placed into a prepared
proximal face of the phalanx. The implant is sized according to the
patient and may be provided in a number of standard incremental sizes.
The improvements relate primarily to the structure, size, and position of
the stem that extends into the phalanx to support the implant. The stem
is off-set from a center axis of the elliptical joint surface. This
off-center placement allows for a longer stem. Single deep indentations
on each side of the stem facilitate retention within the bone. A size
selection tool is provided to facilitate the selection and placement of
an appropriately sized implant. The tool further provides a template for
positioning and placing the stem in the phalanx. A method for sizing and
selecting the appropriate implant, and positioning and fixing the implant
as a partial joint replacement, especially for the first
metatarsophalangeal joint, is also described.