Device for orienting the tibial tunnel position during an ACL reconstruction

1. A device for positioning a tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction, the device comprising:

an elongated body having proximal and distal ends; and

an arm extending at an angle from the distal end of the elongated body, wherein the arm is configured for insertion through a medial portal, a distal end of the arm including a tip in the shape of a sphere configured for insertion into a pre-drilled tunnel in a femur.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is arced.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the arm is configured to point to the desired position of the tibial tunnel on a tibial plateau when the tip is disposed in the femoral tunnel.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the arm includes a pointed elbow configured to point to the position of a desired location of the tibial tunnel on a tibial plateau/ACL footprint.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the arm is configured to orient the angle of the resulting graft in the sagittal plane.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the arm extends from the elongated body at an angle from about fifty degrees (50°) to about sixty degrees (60°).

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the angle between the elongated body and the arm is adjustable.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the arm includes a lateral projection.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the elongated body is configured for connection to an outrigger.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the outrigger is configured to direct a guide wire through the tibia.

11. A method for positioning a tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction, the method comprising the steps of:

forming an opening in a femur bone using a medical portal approach;

inserting a distal portion of a tibial tunnel positioning device into the opening formed in the femur; and

using the tibial tunnel device to position an opening in a tibia bone while the distal portion of the divice is received within the opening formed in the femur.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the step of forming the opening in the femur bone includes drilling a femoral tunnel.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the device includes an elongated body, an arm extending at an angle from a distal end of the elongated body, and a tip formed on a distal end of the arm, the tip being configured for insertion into the femoral tunnel.

14. The method of claim 11 , further including the step of positioning the device by referencing at least one of a lateral wall of the femoral notch and one or more tibial spines.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the device further includes a lateral projection for referencing the femoral notch.

16. The method of claim 13 , further including the step of adjusting the coronal medial/lateral orientation angle of the arm of the tibial tunnel positioning device in a way that mimics an intact ACL.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the arm of the device is configured for insertion through a medial portal.

18. The method of claim 11 , further including the step of flexing the knee through a range of motion to check for resultant graft impingement.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein a proximal end of the arm includes an elbow for engaging the tibia.

20. A method for positioning a tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a tibial guide including an elongated body, an arm extending at an angle from a distal end of the elongated body, and a tip formed on a distal end of the arm, the tip including a point for engaging a femur;

inserting the distal end of the elongated body of the tibial guide into a knee joint using a medial portal approach;

engaging the pointed tip of the tibial guide with the femur in a position corresponding to that of a desired femoral tunnel; and

positioning the tibial guide by referencing at least one of a lateral wall of the femoral notch and one or more tibial spines while the pointed tip of the tibial guide is ingaged with the femur.