Method of replacing an anterior cruciate ligament in the knee

[0001] The field of art to which this invention relates is arthroscopic surgical procedures, in particular, arthroscopic surgical procedures for replacing an anterior cruciate ligament in the knee.

[0002] Arthroscopic surgical repairs of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the knee are known in this art. A rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (“ACL”) is often seen in sports related injuries. In a typical arthroscopic procedure, the surgeon prepares the patient for surgery by insufflating the patient's knee with sterile saline solution. Several cannulas are inserted into the knee and used as entry portals into the interior of the knee. A conventional arthroscope is inserted through one of the cannulas so that the knee may be viewed by the surgeon remotely. The surgeon then drills a tibial tunnel and a femoral tunnel in accordance with conventional surgical techniques using conventional surgical drills and drill guides. A replacement anterior cruciate ligament graft is then prepared and mounted in the tibial and femoral tunnels, and secured using conventional techniques and known devices in order to complete the knee reconstruction.

[0003] Several types of anterior cruciate ligament grafts are available for use by the surgeon in ACL reconstruction. The grafts may be autografts that are harvested from the patient, for example patellar bone-tendon-bone grafts, or hamstring grafts. Or the grafts can be xenografts, allografts, or synthetic polymer grafts. There are various known methods of securing the femoral end of an ACL graft in the femoral tunnel. The methods include cross-pinning, and the use of femoral tunnel interference screws. Of particular interest is a procedure wherein a cross-pin is used to secure the graft in the femoral tunnel. When such a device is used, a transverse tunnel is drilled into the bottom of the femor such that it intersects the femoral tunnel. When using a cross-pinning technique, the surgeon prepares the graft by forming of folding it into a loop. Typically this is preceded by whip stitching the ends of the graft in a conventional manner. After the top end of the graft loop is emplaced in the femoral tunnel, the cross-pin is then inserted into the transverse tunnel and through the opening in the loop of the graft, thereby both securing the graft in place in the femoral tunnel and substantially preventing it from moving in the femoral tunnel.

[0004] Although the existing methods of performing ACL reconstruction using cross-pins are satisfactory for their intended purpose, and provide the patient with the desired therapeutic result, there is a constant need in this art for improved methods of performing ACL graft reconstruction using cross-pins. In particular, one critical aspect of a cross-pinning method is the ability to place a graft in a femoral tunnel such that when the cross-pin is inserted through the transverse tunnel it is precisely placed in the opening of the graft loop below the top of the graft loop. It can be appreciated by those skilled in this art that placement of the cross-pin above the top of the graft loop will result in the graft not being adequately secured in the femoral tunnel, with a likelihood of a catastrophic failure. Precise placement of a cross-pin into the opening of a graft loop is presently accomplished in this art by using guide wires and cannulated cross-pins that are inserted over the guide wires. In one known method, a guide wire consisting of a flexible filamentary member is actually looped through the transverse tunnel and down through the femoral and fibial tunnels, such that an end extends out through both sides of the transverse tunnel, and a bottom loop extends out through the bottom of the tibial tunnel. A graft is folded to form a graft loop and placed about the bottom loop of the guide wire such that the guide wire runs through the graft loop opening. The ends of the guide wire extending out through the openings of the transverse tunnel are tensioned to pull the guide wire and graft up through the tibial and femoral tunnels into a desired position for fixation, and a cannulated cross-pin is then threaded over the guide wire and mounted in the transverse tunnel to secure the upper part of the graft loop in the femoral tunnel. Although this method succeeds in emplacing a graft in the femoral tunnel and securing it with a cross-pin, there are some disadvantages associated with its use. For example, it requires that the graft be pulled longitudinally through the tibial and femoral tunnels by pulling transversely on the flexible filamentary member ends that exit the sides of the transverse tunnel. This may result in damage to the bone surrounding the interiors of the femoral and transverse tunnels. In addition, it can be a lengthy and time-consuming process since it is inefficient to move a graft longitudinally through a tunnel by pulling transversely on the flexible filamentary member.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need in this art for improved methods of ACL knee reconstruction using cross-pins.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel method of performing an ACL reconstruction using a cannulated cross-pin, wherein a filamentary member is provided as a guide for the cross-pin, and an ACL graft is pulled into the tibial and femoral tunnels using a surgical needle and attached surgical suture.

[0007] Therefore, a method for repairing a knee arthroscopically using an anterior cruciate ligament replacement graft is disclosed. The method consists of providing an anterior cruciate ligament replacement graft that is formed into a loop having a top and a bottom. The loop has an opening. A longitudinal tunnel is drilled through the top of the tibia. A longitudinal tunnel is drilled through the bottom of an adjacent femor such that the tibial tunnel and the femoral tunnel are substantially in alignment. A substantially transverse tunnel is drilled through the femoral tunnel such that the transverse tunnel intersects the femoral tunnel and is in communication therewith. A filamentary member is provided. The filamentary member is threaded through knee such that a first end of the filamentary member extends out from one side of the transverse tunnel and a second end that extends out through a second side of the transverse tunnel. A bottom loop of the filamentary member extends out through the bottom of the tibial tunnel. A surgical needle and suture are provided. The suture is mounted to the surgical needle such that a suture loop is formed. The graft is engaged with the suture loop such that the suture passes through the graft loop opening. And, the graft is also engaged with the filamentary member such that the filamentary member passes through the graft loop opening. The graft loop is pulled into the femoral and tibial tunnels by pulling on the needle and suture, thereby simultaneously pulling the filamentary member up into the femoral tunnel and transverse tunnel. The filamentary member is tensioned, after the top of the graft is emplaced in the femoral tunnel and aligned with the transverse tunnel, to form a substantially straight configuration that is substantially in alignment with the transverse tunnel. A cannulated cross-pin is provided. The upper end of the graft loop is secured in the femoral tunnel by passing the cannulated bone pin over the filamentary member and mounting the bone pin in the transverse tunnel. The lower end of the graft loop may be secured in the tibial tunnel by inserting a securement member in the tibial tunnel.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a kit for use in performing an ACL reconstruction when using a cross-pin technique. The kit contains a filamentary member, an elongated surgical needle having a distal end and a surgical suture attachment end. The kit also has a surgical suture for mounting to the suture attachment end of the needle, and a cannulated cross-pin for securing an ACL graft in a femoral tunnel.

[0009] These and other aspects, advantages of the present invention, will become more apparent from the following drawings and accompanying description.

[0025] The terms “anterior cruciate ligament” and the acronym “ACL” are used interchangeably herein.

[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 1–14, the novel surgical method of the present invention of replacing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament to reconstruct a knee is illustrated. FIG. 1 illustrates a typical patient's knee 5 prior to the onset of the surgical procedure. Illustrated is the top 15 of the tibia 10, the top 21 of the fibula 20, the bottom 61 of the femur 60, as well as the condylar notch 65. The posterior collateral ligament 50 is seen to be present in the knee 5. Also seen at the top 15 of the tibia 10 the meniscal cartilage 22.

[0027] As seen in FIG. 2, after preparing the patient's knee 5 using conventional arthroscopic surgical procedures, a tibial tunnel 40 is drilled in a conventional manner through the top 15 of the tibia 10 to create tibial tunnel 40. Tibial tunnel 40 has passage 41 having lower opening 43 and upper opening 45. The tibial tunnel 40 is drilled using a conventional two-step process with an initial pilot guide drill followed by a subsequent coring reamer to create the tibial tunnel 40 having passage 41. Preferably, the tibial tunnel is positioned in the posterior one-half of the normal attachment site of the ACL. The tunnel 40 is typically debrided of all surrounding debris at lower opening 43 and upper opening 45, and any sharp edges are chamfered using a conventional bone rasp. Next a conventional offset femoral aiming device (not shown) is inserted through opening 43 and into the tibial tunnel 40 such that the distal end of the femoral aimer device extends out through the opening 45 at the top of the tunnel 40, and the distal end of the femoral aimer device engages a suitable position on the superior rim 66 of the condylar notch 65. Then a guide pin can be drilled up through the notch 65 and out of the anterior cortex 67 of the femur 60. Next a femoral tunnel 90 is reamed out using a conventional surgical reamer to accommodate the graft diameter. The femoral tunnel 90 is seen to have bottom opening 91, passage 95 and top opening 92. The tunnel is seen to have internal step 93 where the passage 95 transitions between first diameter 96 and second diameter 97. The tunnel 90 is typically debrided of all surrounding debris at bottom opening 91 and top opening 92, and any sharp edges are chamfered using a conventional bone rasp.

[0028] Next, a transverse femoral drill guide 120 is mounted to the tibia 10 and the femur 60. The drill guide 120 is seen to have “L” shaped frame 122 having bottom leg 126 and perpendicular top leg 128. The drill guide 120 is seen to have longitudinal drill guide 130 mounted to the bottom leg 126 and horizontal drill guide 140 mounted to the top leg 128. The longitudinal drill guide 130 is positioned within the tibial and femoral tunnels 40 and 90, respectively. A partial incision 141 is made in the skin and the tissue thereunder is bluntly bisected to the lateral femoral cortex 68. The drill guide 140 is advanced to contact the lateral femoral condyral 69. Next, a drill 145 is inserted into the transverse drill guide 140 and the transverse tunnel 150 is drilled transversely through the femoral end 61. The distal end section 132 of the longitudinal drill guide 130 contains an opening 134 to receive the drill 145 to provide for appropriate alignment. The tunnel 150 is seen to have passage 155, and opposed end openings 151 and 152. The knee 5 is now ready to have the replacement ACL graft implanted.

[0029] The types of ACL implants that can be used in the method of the present invention include autografts, allografts, xenografts and synthetic grafts. Autografts consists of the patients own ligamentous tissue harvested either from the patellar tendon or from the tendons of the hamstring. Allografts include ligamentous tissue harvested from cadavers and appropriately treated and disinfected, and preferably sterilized. Xenografts include harvested connective tissue from animal sources such as, for example, porcine tissue. Typically, the xenografts must be appropriately treated to eliminate or minimize an immune response. Synthetic grafts include grafts made from synthetic polymers such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polyester and other conventional biocompatible bioabsorbable or nonabsorbable polymers and composites. The grafts 200 are typically prepared in a conventional manner, optionally whip stitching the ends 212 of the graft with surgical sutures 220, and folding the graft over by bringing the ends 212 together to form a loop of graft material having a bottom 215, a loop top 222 and a loop opening 225 as seen in FIGS. 9–14.

[0030] The filamentary members 180 that may be used in the practice of the present invention include any type of flexible, strong biocompatible material. The filaments may be a single unitary fiber or may be of multi-filament construction, for example, braided or woven. The filaments may be made from nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, braided, woven and twisted metal and/or malleable alloys and combinations thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the filamentary member 180 is made from nylon. The filamentary member 180 may be precut with two opposed ends, or may be in the form of an endless loop. It is particularly preferred in the practice of the present invention to utilize the filamentary member in the form of an endless loop that is later cut to provide a filamentary member with two ends.

[0031] When using a filamentary member 180 in the form of an endless loop (see FIGS. 3–10), the filamentary member is loaded on to an inserter instrument 240 having a proximal handle 242 and a distal notched end 244 for engaging the loop. The distal notched end 244 of the inserter 240 having the filamentary member 180 mounted thereto is then inserted into the bottom opening 43 of the tibial tunnel 40 and the instrument is moved forward through the passage 41 of tibial tunnel 40, out of upper opening 45, through bottom opening 91 of femoral tunnel 90 and into the passage 95 of femoral tunnel 90 adjacent to the intersection with the transverse tunnel 150. Then, a special shuttle instrument 250 inserted into opening 152 of the femoral transverse tunnel. The shuttle instrument 250 is seen to have a notch 252 for receiving and engaging a section of the filamentary loop member 180. The instrument 250 is seen to pass through opening 246 in notched end 244. Once a section of the member 180 is engaged in the notch 252, the inserter member 240 is withdrawn from the femoral and tibial tunnels 40 and 90, respectively, and the shuttle instrument 250 is moved laterally until the notch 252 and the engaged section of the filamentary member 180 exits opening 151 of the transverse tunnel 150. At that time, the section of member 180 is removed from the notch 252 by the surgeon and cut once with conventional surgical scissors 400 to form ends 181 and 182. End 182 of the member 180 is then threaded into the eyelets 256 and the shuttle instrument 250 is moved horizontally in the opposite direction through passage 155 of transverse tunnel 150 exiting the transverse tunnel through opening 152 on the opposite side of tunnel 150 such that the end 182 also exits the tunnel, and the ends 181 and 182 of the filamentary member 180 exit through opposition sides of the femoral tunnel (through openings 151 and 152, respectively) and the bottom loop section 185 of the filamentary member 180 extends down out through the bottom of the tibial tunnel 40 through opening 43. A surgical suture 260 is then used to move the graft 200 into place in the tibial and femoral tunnels 40 and 90, respectively. The ends 181 and 182 may be optionally clamped with conventional surgical clamps 410 to assist with tensioning member 180 after the graft in emplaced in the femur as described hereinafter. The surgeon loops or folds the graft 200 through the opening 266 of suture loop 265 of suture 260 connected to the proximal end 282 of the straight surgical needle 280. Needle 280 has distal end 285. The suture passes through the eyelet 283 of the needle 280. At the same time the tendon graft 200 is also looped through the opening 186 of section 185 of the filamentary member 180. The surgeon then pulls the straight surgical needle 280 up in the direction along the longitudinal axes of the femoral and tibial tunnels 40 and 90, respectively, such that the needle 280 exits the femoral tunnel 90 through top opening 92, and the suture loop pulls the distal or top end 222 of the graft loop 200 into the femoral tunnel 90. As the suture 260 pulls the distal end 222 of the graft 200 into the femoral tunnel 90, the looped end 185 of the filamentary member 180 also moves with the top end 222 of graft 200 into the femoral tunnel 90. When the graft top end 222 is in the femoral tunnel in a fixation position, with opening 225 in alignment with passage 155, the ends 181 and 182 of the filamentary member 180 are tensioned to place the filamentary member 180 in a straight configuration to serve as a guide wire through transverse tunnel 150 and through graft opening 225 for a conventional cannulated cross-pin.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 11–14, the cross-pin 300 is seen to have lumen 305 and threaded bone engaging section 307. The end 181 of the filamentary member 180 is threaded through lumen 305 of cannulated cross-pin 300, and secured in the handle 325 of the driving instrument 320 by attachment to the optional bead member 330 having passages 332 for receiving the end 181. Bead member 330 is mounted to the end of handle 325. The other end 182 of the filamentary member 180 is placed in tension by the surgeon while the surgeon screws the cross-pin into the tunnel 150 underneath the top 222 of the graft loop 200 and through opening 225 thereby securing the upper section of the graft 200 in the femoral tunnel 90. The surgeon then removes the driving instrument 320 from the cross-pin 300, and removes the instrument 320 and filamentary member 180 from the transverse tunnel 150 and the cross-pinning procedure is complete, with the top end 222 of the ACL replacement graft 220 substantially secured or fixed in femoral tunnel 90. Shown if FIG. 11 is the optional depth stop sleeve 390 used to assure the surgeon that the threads 307 are flush against the lateral femoral cortex 68 or slightly buried.

[0033] The surgeon then affixes the bottom end 215 of the graft 200 in the tibial tunnel 40 using a conventional securing device such as an interference screw 340, or other conventional devices such as tibial fasteners, screws and washers, etc. The ACL replacement is now complete, and the surgeon can remove the cannulas and close the incisions about the knee using conventional incision approximating techniques including sutures, tape, glue, staples, etc.

[0034] A novel kit useful in practicing the ACL reconstruction procedures of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 15. The kit contains components previously described above. More specifically, the kit is seen to have a cross-pin 300, a filamentary member 180 that is preferably in the form of an endless loop, a suture 260, and a needle 280. Optionally, when the member 180 is provided in the form of an endless loop, the kit contains a shuttle instrument 250. Also shown is an optional bead member 330. The suture 260 may be any conventional biocompatible surgical suture having sufficient strength to pull an ACL graft through the tibial and femoral tunnels without breaking. The suture 260, the cross-pin 300, the filamentary member 180 and the bead member 330 are shown in conventional packaging.

[0035] The novel anterial cruciate ligament replacement procedure of the present invention has improvements over procedures known in the art. In particular, the combination of the needle and suture to pull the graft into the femoral tunnel along with the suture loop filamentary member to provide for a transverse guide wire provides efficiency in the placement of the top of the graft in the femoral tunnel while minimizing or eliminating damage to the bone in the transverse tunnel that could be caused by pulling up the graft using the filamentary member. At the same time that the graft is emplaced in the femoral tunnel, the filamentary wire is in place in the transverse tunnel to serve as a guide wire for emplacing the cross-pin in the transverse tunnel and through the opening in the graft loop.

[0036] Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail thereof my be made without departing form the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.