| abstract |
A graft (1) or prosthetic element suitable e.g. for replacing a tendon or ligament is fastened in a bone tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a fastener (3). In a first step the graft (1) or prosthetic element is press-fitted in the tunnel or opening by forcing the fastener (3) into the opening or by positioning the fastener in the opening and then expanding it, wherein the fastener (3) is in contact with the graft (1) or prosthetic element and with the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening. In a second step, the fastener (3) is anchored in the bone wall of the tunnel or blind opening with the aid of a liquefiable material which is liquefied in the vicinity of the bone wall where it is in contact with the fastener and by making the liquefied material penetrate into the bone wall. For the second step, an anchoring element (6) comprising the liquefiable material is advanced relative to the fastener (3) and energy, preferably vibrational energy, is simultaneously transmitted to the anchoring element (6) or to the fastener (3). Fastener surfaces equipped for the anchoring comprise mouths of passages connecting the fastener surface with an inner fastener cavity (4), in which the liquefiable material is liquefied, or grooves extending from a proximal fastener face towards a distal fastener end. |