Soft Tissue Fixation Using A Looped Suture Construct

摘要

A looped suture construct is formed by looping a suture on itself and slidably connecting the suture through an anchoring structure such that a looped end and a free end of the suture are on opposite sides of the slidable connection. The anchoring structure may be bone, a suture anchor, or another structure securely attached to bone. The looped end and the free end are passed through the soft tissue to be repaired. The free end is then passed through the looped end. Tension is applied to the free end to draw the soft tissue into contact with the desired bone, whereupon the free end is secured to maintain the tension. The looped suture end remains open and positioned on one side or surface of the soft tissue. Suture anchors of the invention are pre-loaded with at least one suture having a looped end and at least one free end.

主权项

1. A method of suturing soft tissue comprising:
passing a loop of suture through soft tissue, the loop of suture exiting the tissue through a first tissue surface; passing a free end of the suture through the soft tissue adjacent the loop of suture, the free end of the suture exiting the tissue through the first tissue surface, wherein the suture is slidably connected to a suture attaching mechanism of an anchoring structure such that the attaching mechanism is between the loop of suture and the free end of the suture; passing the free end of the suture through the loop of suture; applying tension to the free end of the suture such that the soft tissue is pulled into contact with a desired structure and the loop of suture remains open and positioned on the first tissue surface; and securing the free end of the suture to maintain the applied tension.