Ligament fixation device and method
Systems and methods for providing fixation of soft tissue (for example, ligament) to bone by employing a novel multi-piece device. The novel multi-piece device is a ligament fixation system consisting of a larger collar that is initially impacted into a bone aperture, and a smaller plug/bullet-shaped part that is impacted into the larger collar. During ligament repair/reconstruction, the graft is inserted into a bone tunnel with sutures from the graft extending outside the tunnel. The sutures are passed through a collar of the multi-part device and the collar is then inserted into the bone tunnel. The graft suture strands may be tensioned. Subsequently, the smaller plug/bullet-shaped part is impacted into the collar thereby maintaining the tension on the graft sutures. The plug/bullet-shaped part is tightened after the desired tension on the suture is achieved.
1. A method, comprising:
securing at least one flexible strand to a tissue to be fixated;
securing the tissue within a bone tunnel so that the at least one flexible strand exits an aperture of the bone tunnel;
sliding a first part of a multi-part anchor system over the at least one flexible strand;
securing the first part within the bone tunnel;
subsequently, tensioning the at least one flexible strand; and
subsequently, securing a second part of the multi-part anchor system within the first part while maintaining the tension on the at least one flexible strand.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 , comprising:
tying a knot in the at least one flexible strand over the second part.
3. A method comprising:
securing at least one flexible strand to a tissue to be fixated;
securing the tissue within a bone tunnel so that the at least one flexible strand exits an aperture of the bone tunnel;
sliding a first part of a multi-part anchor system over the at least one flexible strand;
securing the first part within the bone tunnel;
subsequently, tensioning the at least one flexible strand;
subsequently, securing a second part of the multi-part anchor system within the first part while maintaining the tension on the at least one flexible strand;
tying a knot in the at least one flexible strand over the second part; and
securing the knot within a groove of the second part.
4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the flexible strand is a suture, a suture tape, or a suture chain.
5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the multi-part anchor system consists of the first part and the second part.
6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first part is a fully cannulated collar and the second part is a plug insertable into the fully cannulated collar.
7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the tissue is a ligament graft.
8. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein securing the second part includes impacting the second part into a cannulation of the first part.
9. A method comprising:
securing at least one flexible strand to a tissue to be fixated;
securing the tissue within a bone tunnel so that the at least one flexible strand exits an aperture of the bone tunnel;
sliding a first part of a multi-part anchor system over the at least one flexible strand;
securing the first part within the bone tunnel;
subsequently, tensioning the at least one flexible strand; and
subsequently, securing a second part of the multi-part anchor system within the first part while maintaining the tension on the at least one flexible strand,
wherein securing the second part includes impacting the second part into a cannulation of the first part,
wherein the second part includes a second cannulation.
10. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein securing the first part includes impacting the first part into the bone tunnel.
11. A method, comprising:
positioning a graft within a bone tunnel;
positioning a collar of an anchor system around flexible strands that are secured to the graft;
implanting the collar into the bone tunnel;
after implanting the collar, inserting a plug into a cannulation of the collar,
thereby trapping the flexible strands between the plug and the collar.
12. The method as recited in claim 11 , comprising:
tensioning the flexible strands prior to inserting the plug.
13. The method as recited in claim 12 , comprising:
confirming an amount of tension on the flexible strands with a tensioner prior to inserting the plug.
14. The method as recited in claim 11 , comprising:
securing the flexible strands to the graft prior to positioning the graft within the bone tunnel.
15. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein positioning the graft includes:
positioning the flexible strands so they extend outside of the bone tunnel.
16. The method as recited in claim 11 , comprising:
tying a knot in the flexible strands after inserting the plug.
17. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein positioning the collar includes:
passing the flexible strands through the cannulation of the collar.
18. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the bone tunnel is a tibial bone tunnel.
19. A method comprising:
positioning a graft within a bone tunnel;
positioning a collar of an anchor system around flexible strands that are secured to the graft;
implanting the collar into the bone tunnel;
inserting a plug into a cannulation of the collar,
thereby trapping the flexible strands between the plug and the collar,
wherein positioning the graft includes:
fixating the graft relative to a femur with a button/loop construct.
20. A method, comprising:
inserting an outer piece of an anchor system into a bone tunnel;
inserting an inner sleeve of the anchor system within the outer piece; and
inserting a screw of the anchor system within the inner sleeve,
thereby trapping a flexible strand that is secured to a graft that is positioned within the bone tunnel between the screw and the inner sleeve.