Abstract: The invention provides a ligament or tendon prosthesis made from two or more of cables braided into a helical structure, where each cable is made from two or more strands. The strands may be made from an alloy exhibiting pseudoelastic properties at body temperature, and may be twisted into a helical structure in the cables.

Abstract: The invention provides a tendon or ligament prosthesis having an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration. The prosthesis has a resistance to tension in the undeployed configuration that is less than its resistance to tension in the deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the prosthesis is capable of twisting and bending. In one embodiment, the prosthesis has a meshwork of filaments woven, knitted or braided into a slender cylinder. In this embodiment, the prosthesis attains the deployed configuration by stretching the prosthesis from its undeployed configuration. The prosthesis may be used, for example, to replace an anterior or posterior cruciate ligament or to treat acromioclavicular joint separation, a rotator cuff tear, lateral collateral ligament tears, medial collateral ligament tears, or medial patello-femoral ligament tears. The invention also provides a method for replacing a tendon or ligament using the prosthesis of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a ligament or tendon prosthesis. The prosthesis has at least two load bearing elements (6a, 6b) arranged in series and having different mechanical properties. The invention also provides a method for producing the prosthesis of the invention, as well as a method for replacing a torn or damaged ligament or tendon.