Surgical instruments

Abstract

Re-tensioning a suture using a knotless suture anchor includes tensioning a suture in a knotless suture anchor; and re-tensioning the suture in the knotless suture anchor; wherein: the knotless suture anchor includes an anchor body; and a plug.

1 . A method comprising:
 tensioning a suture in a knotless suture anchor; and   re-tensioning the suture in the knotless suture anchor;   wherein:
 the knotless suture anchor comprises 
 an anchor body; and 
 a plug. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plug comprises an outer wall having threads, and the anchor body comprises an inner wall having threads, and the outer wall of the plug and the inner wall of the anchor body have threads capable of engaging in a screw-like fashion to secure the plug in the anchor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising securing the anchor body in a bone prior to tensioning. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the securing comprises screwing or cementing the anchor body in the bone. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the re-tensioning comprises loosening the plug in the anchor body; adjusting a length of the suture between the anchor and an object secured by the suture; and securing the plug in the anchor body. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning comprises securing the plug in the anchor body comprising inserting the plug in the anchor body. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the re-tensioning comprises loosening the plug in the anchor body; loosening or tightening the suture; and securing the plug in the anchor body. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises a wall having an outer surface and an inner surface, a first end, and a second end; wherein the first end is shaped to be mated to a driver. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plug comprises a wall having an outer surface, a first end, and a second end; wherein the first end is shaped to be mated to a driver. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is tapered from the first end of the anchor to the second end of the anchor, wherein the first end of the anchor has a larger diameter than the second end of the anchor. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall of the plug comprises threads. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inner surface comprises threads. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an outer wall of the plug and an inner wall of the anchor have threads which engage each other in a screw-like fashion. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plug does not have threads on an exterior wall, and the plug is made of a compressible material. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a first end of the plug has a larger diameter than a second end of the plug. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an interior space of the anchor, defined by a wall, has a first end that has a larger diameter than a second end which is distal to the first end. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a first end of the plug has a larger diameter than a second end of the plug. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an interior space of the anchor body is conical, the plug is conical, and the plug nests within the interior space.