Retrograde fixation technique with insert-molded interference screw

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/256,076, filed Sep. 27, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/864,258, filed May 25, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,373, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/207,235, filed May 26, 2000.

The present invention relates to interference screw fixation of replacement ligament grafts, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for retrograde placement and installation of an interference screw for graft fixation in a bone tunnel.

Methods of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using interference screw fixation are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,211,647 and 5,320,626, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In general, these methods of tenodesis involve drilling a tunnel through the tibia, drilling a closed tunnel (socket) into the femur, inserting a substitute ACL graft into the tunnels, and securing the grafts to the walls of the tibial and femoral tunnels using interference screws or the like. Accurate positioning of the tibial and femoral tunnels requires a drill guide, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,269,786 and 5,350,383, which also are incorporated herein by reference.

One drawback of the described tenodesis methods is that the ligament graft is secured only at the bottom of the tibial tunnel. The graft is not secured at the top end of the tibial tunnel. Consequently, the graft is free to move from side to side, resulting in a “windshield wiper” effect, during which the graft abrades against the upper rim of the tibial tunnel, shortening the life of the ACL repair.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,716 to Morgan et al. discloses a technique for ACL reconstruction that avoids the above-noted problem of graft abrasion. The method disclosed by Morgan et al. requires forming two closed-ended sockets, one in the tibia and the other in the femur. However, forming a femoral socket is difficult without a tibial tunnel for insertion of a femoral guide and drill.

Accordingly, the need exists for a method of ACL reconstruction that provides anatomical graft fixation at the tibial plateau, and without the need for forming two separate bone sockets.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, such as those noted above, by providing methods and apparatus for endosteal fixation of a ligament graft using an interference screw that is installed in a retrograde manner. In a preferred embodiment, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is performed using an interference screw installed in a retrograde manner through the tibial plateau to secure an ACL graft at the top of the tibial tunnel.

The interference screw is insert-molded with a length of suture. The suture extends beyond the leading tip of the screw a sufficient length to allow the suture to be passed through the tibial tunnel and to be grasped for pulling the screw into the tibial tunnel through the top tibial plateau opening. The screw and suture preferably are bioabsorbable.

A driver for the screw fits into a cannulation in the leading end of the screw. Preferably, the driver is cannulated to accept the length of suture extending from the bottom opening of the tibial tunnel, and has means for grasping the suture to assist the surgeon in pulling the interference screw into the top opening of the tibial tunnel. The screw is blind headed (not fully cannulated) to eliminate synovial fluid leak through the screw into the tibial tunnel.

According to a preferred method of the present invention, the suture extending from the interference screw is fed through the joint cavity into the top tibial plateau opening of the tunnel, and down through the tibial tunnel to exit at the anterior surface of the tibia. The free end of suture exiting the anterior surface of the tibial tunnel preferably is inserted through the cannulation of the cannulated driver and secured around a post on the driver.

After the ligament graft has been placed in the tibial tunnel, the suture is drawn using the driver at the anterior opening of the tibial tunnel to pull the interference screw into the joint cavity in a retrograde fashion. The knee joint is positioned to allow the end of the screw to be manipulated into the top opening of the tibial tunnel, with the screw being pivoted within the joint cavity to align axially with the tunnel and the driver.

With the screw being drawn into a position of alignment with the tunnel, the driver is advanced into the tibial tunnel. Pulling on the suture retains the screw in position for engagement with the driver by applying tension to the suture in the direction opposing driver insertion.

Once the driver has engaged the screw, turning the driver causes the screw to advance, or “back in” to the tunnel in retrograde fashion. Using a right-threaded screw, a surgeon will turn the screw counter-clockwise. In an alternative embodiment, the screw has reverse threads, so that turning the driver clockwise advances the screw into the tunnel. The screw is turned into the tunnel until the back end of the screw is substantially flush with the tibial plateau, and has been installed to a depth sufficient to provide interference fixation of the graft at the top of the tunnel. The driver is disengaged from the screw, and excess suture is removed.

The insert-molded interference screw of the present invention can also be inserted forwardly into the femur to fixate a ligament graft in the femoral socket by passing the suture extending from the leading tip of the screw through a narrow tunnel drilled through the femur in alignment with the femoral socket, and drawing on the suture to pull the screw into the femoral socket.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

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Apparatus and method for reconstructing a ligament
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Bioreactor system and method of enhancing functionality of muscle cultured in vitro
Industry Class:
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or aids and accessories therefor

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