Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of creating a customized arthroplasty jig. The method may include: generating two-dimensional MRI images of a patient's joint area to undergo arthroplasty; electronically orienting the two dimensional MRI image slices to account for the patient's joint area being randomly physically oriented in a scanning area of a MRI machine; generating a three-dimensional bone image of at least a portion of a bone of the patient's joint area from the generated two-dimensional MRI images; using the three-dimensional bone image to generate data pertaining to the customized arthroplasty jig, wherein the data includes bone surface information; providing the data to at least one manufacturing device; and employing the bone surface information to cause the at least one manufacturing device to create a surface on the arthroplasty jig configured to matingly receive a surface of the bone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fixing a selected graft relative to a selected anatomical portion. An anchor may be provided that may be interconnected with a selected graft portion that is operable to pass through a selected bore and then moved into an operable position to engage a selected portion of the bore to substantially eliminate the possibility of the graft moving in an unselected direction through the bore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue graft. The apparatus may include a member having a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces extend a distance relative to one another. A member is operable to resist movement of the apparatus relative to an anatomical portion. An interference member may be provided to fixedly associate the apparatus with the anatomical structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fixation of a soft tissue graft. The apparatus may include a member having a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces extend a distance relative to one another. A member is operable to resist movement of the apparatus relative to an anatomical portion. An interference member may be provided to fixedly associate the apparatus with the anatomical structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.

Abstract: A drill guide for determining the site for and drilling a tunnel in a tibia during an anterior cruciate ligament replacement procedure and method for using same are also disclosed. The drill guide utilizes a multiple-point anatomical reference system for determining the most favorable position for the tibial tunnel, based on isometry, freedom from impingement and desired ACL-PCL interaction. The drill guide further utilizes a removable guide bar to provide visual alignment of the drill guide relative to the coronal plane of the knee joint.

Abstract: A drill guide for determining the site for and drilling a tunnel in a tibia during an anterior cruciate ligament replacement procedure and method for using same are also disclosed. The drill guide utilizes a multiple-point anatomical reference system for determining the most favorable position for the tibial tunnel, based on isometry, freedom from impingement and desired ACL-PCL interaction. The drill guide further utilizes a removable guide bar to provide visual alignment of the drill guide relative to the coronal plane of the knee joint.

Abstract: A drill guide for determining the site for and drilling a tunnel in a tibia during an anterior cruciate ligament replacement procedure and method for using same are also disclosed. The drill guide utilizes a multiple-point anatomical reference system for determining the most favorable position for the tibial tunnel, based on isometry, freedom from impingement and desired ACL-PCL interaction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tibial fixation of a soft tissue graft includes a body having a first side and a second side. A first plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a first length. A second plurality of spikes extend from the second side of the body each having a second length where the first length is longer than the second length. The first plurality of spikes are operable to engage the bone without the second plurality of spikes substantially engaging the soft tissue graft to permit proper tensioning of the soft tissue graft. The method includes forming a tunnel in a bone and forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular with the tunnel and partially within an entrance opening of the tunnel. The soft tissue graft passes through the tunnel and the counterbore and is secured within the counterbore with an apparatus which is nested within the counterbore.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for providing initial mechanical fixation of a hamstring graft and subsequent biologic bonding of the graft to the walls of a femoral tunnel. The apparatus includes a two-part screw assembly that is introduced through the lateral femoral condyle. The two-part screw assembly includes an outer screw and an inner screw. The outer screw includes a threaded body and an outwardly-extending nose portion that is of a diameter reduced from the threaded body. The nose portion provides a mechanical fixation point by functioning as a post within the femoral tunnel. A hamstring graft is looped around this post, mechanically fixing one end of the graft. Bone reamings, or mulch, is inserted using a bone graft impactor tool through a hollow throughbore axially defined within the body of the outer screw. The throughbore is in communication with an opening adjacent the nose portion and the mulch is deposited into the femoral tunnel around the tendon loop.

Abstract: An improved method of reconstructing a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). After the knee joint is examined, the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons are harvested and prepared into a graft. Wallplasty is performed and the femoral attachment site for the ACL graft is marked. A hole is drilled through the femur to the marked site. A transverse locator pin is positioned through the femur. The transverse locator pin is used to position a drill guide which in turn is used to drill a hole through the tibia. Preferably, the femoral and tibial holes are tested isometrically to determine if they are the proper sites for the osseous tunnels for the graft. The femoral and tibial tunnels are drilled over guide pins positioned in the holes. Any impingement of the roof of the intercondylar notch on the substitute ACL graft is marked with a gouge and roofplasty is performed. Finally, the substitute ACL graft is passed through the osseous tunnels and secured in place.

Abstract: A drilling system for ACL reconstruction including: a first drill guide having an aimer member with a notched top surface for mating with the roof of the intercondylar notch; a positioning member having a removable drill guide sleeve; and a second drill guide including a second aimer member with a curved tip and a top notch. The positioning member can be placed on both drill guides for properly positioning the drill guide sleeve for the drilling of both the tibia and the femur.