Interference fixation screw with integral instrumentation

Abstract

Abstract A fixation screw for securing a bone graft of a tendon section in place in a ligament tunnel is formed from a biocompatible plastic or bioabsorbable material. The tendon section is used to replace a ligament and has a tendon section attached at each end to bone grafts. The fixation screw is tightened between the bone graft and bone surrounding the ligament tunnel to secure the bone graft in place by forcing it against the bone surrounding the ligament tunnel. The material is soft compared to bone so that threads of the fixation screw do not cut into the bone graft or bone surrounding the ligament tunnel when the fixation screw is tightened. The fixation screw is formed to have integral instrumentation. A body is molded or fabricated as one piece from the material and has a threaded end, formed as an interference screw, and a relatively thicker handle portion connected to each other. The handle portion forms the integral instrumentation in that it is grasped to turn the fixation screw to tighten it. The threaded end is inserted between the bone graft and bone surrounding the ligament tunnel. The handle is turned to tighten the threaded end between the bone graft and surrounding bone. After the fixation screw has been tightened, the portion of the fixation screw which extends beyond the surface of the bone at which the ligament tunnel opens is trimmed off, leaving all surfaces flush.

Inventors

• 👤 Thomas H. Mahony Iii

Bibliographic Details