ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANTS AND INSTRUMENTS

An orthopedic implant system includes an insertion instrument having an actuator and a retention mechanism. The implant system also includes an orthopedic staple implant configured to releasably couple with the retention mechanism of the insertion instrument and, upon actuation of the actuator, decouple from the insertion instrument. Also disclosed is a surgical instrument having an upper portion and a lower portion that is integral with the upper portion. The lower portion includes an actuator extending laterally and a pair of retainers extending from the lower portion. Each retainer has a substantially curved geometry with the curvature pointing toward a midline of the instrument. An orthopedic staple implant is also disclosed that has a bridge and a pair of legs extending from a bottom surface of the bridge. Each of the legs includes a texture or gripping configuration disposed on an inner surface of the leg.