Abstract: A pin (20) and method for use are provided for securing a replacement ligament (24) inside a tunnel (10) of a receptor bone (36). A threaded section (30) of the pin (20) engages and anchors the pin (20) in the receptor bone (36). A first taper (26) opposite the threaded section (30) is configured to enter a drilled hole (14) which is transverse to the tunnel (10), capture a looped replacement ligament (24), and extend into the medial side (25) of the receptor bone (36). A second taper (28) urges the replacement ligament (24) against the wall (15) of the tunnel (10) and provides resistance when the second taper (28) contacts the medial side (25) of the bone (36), thus signaling that the pin (20) has been inserted to the proper depth. The body (21) of the pin (20) secures the looped replacement ligament (24) in the tunnel (10) and holds the replacement ligament (24) in contact with the wall (15) of the tunnel (10) to insure ingrowth.

Abstract: A process that utilizes a tendon threader for positioning and endosteally mounting a tendon within the endosteum of a closed tunnel end of a straight ligament tunnel that has been formed in a patient's knee in an arthroscopic surgical procedure for replacement of a cruciate ligament. The preferred tendon threader for use in a practice of the process includes a straight tubular body, with a handle arranged on one end, and the other tube end includes a pair of aligned wide longitudinal slots formed, with tube end remainder portions adjacent to which wide longitudinal slots each having a small longitudinal slot formed therein, the small slots for receiving a tendon, or a suture sewn onto the end of a tendon, fitted therein, forming a loop across the tube end. In a practice of the process the tendon threader is inserted into the straight ligament tunnel to where the tendon or suture loop is proximate to a ligament tunnel section end.

Abstract: A tendon threader and process for its use for positioning and endosteally mounting a tendon within the endosteum of a closed tunnel end of a straight ligament tunnel that has been formed in a patient's knee in an arthroscopic surgical procedure for replacement of a cruciate ligament. The tendon threader includes a straight tubular body, with a handle arranged on one end, and the other tube end includes a pair of aligned wide longitudinal slots formed, with tube end remainder portions adjacent to which wide longitudinal slots each having a small longitudinal slot formed therein, the small slots for receiving a tendon, or a suture sewn onto the end of a tendon, fitted therein, forming a loop across the tube end. The tendon threader is for insertion into the straight ligament tunnel to where the tendon or suture loop is proximate to a ligament tunnel section end.