| abstract |
A ligament graft system and method are provided for securely anchoring a ligament graft to patient bone, principally for use with autogenous hamstring graft tendons utilized for ligament replacement such as reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the human knee. An elongated ligament graft is assembled between femoral and tibial fixation units, and the thus-assembled system is fitted into and through generally aligned tibial and femoral tunnels formed in patient bone. A pivotally mounted anchor pin at a leading end of the femoral fixation unit positionally shifts upon emergence from the femoral tunnel to overlie and seat securely upon cortical bone. A trailing or lower end of the tibial fixation unit is adapted to engage and seat against cortical bone, wherein the tibial fixation unit can be adjustably positioned to variably select the tension applied to the ligament graft. |