Method and apparatus for threading a suture anchor

Abstract

A method for threading a suture through a suture anchor after the anchor has been driven into a bone comprises the steps of (1) providing a suture anchor having an eyelet, with at least a portion of a pre-installed suture engaging implement passed through the eyelet; (2) driving the suture anchor into a bone, leaving the eyelet and the suture engaging implement exposed; (3) engaging a suture with the suture engaging implement; (4) removing the suture engaging implement from the eyelet so as to pull the suture through the eyelet; and (5) disengaging the suture engaging implement from the suture. In one embodiment, the suture engaging implement comprises a thin, flexible tube having an open end. The tube is pre-installed in the anchor by passing it through the eyelet. One end of the suture is pushed into the open end of the tube. The tube is pulled out of the eyelet so as to pull the suture through the eyelet. The end of the suture is then removed from the open end of the tube. A second embodiment employs a loop of flexible, filamentous material as the suture engaging implement. The loop is pre-installed in the anchor by passing a portion of the loop through the eyelet. One end of the suture is passed through the portion of the loop that has been passed through the eyelet. The loop is pulled out of the eyelet so as to pull the suture through the eyelet. The suture is then removed from the loop.