Apparatuses and methods for fixation of ankle syndesmosis or acromioclavicular joint dislocations of the shoulder

Abstract

An apparatus for performing ankle syndesmosis repairs includes, inter alia, a first button, a second button, and a suture connecting the first button and the second button. The first button and the second button are stainless steel buttons. At least one of the first button and the second button is oblong. The suture includes multiple strands that extend between the first button and the second button. A first free end of the suture is tensionable to shorten a length of the suture between the first button and the second button and thereby move the first button and the second button closer together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for performing surgical repairs, comprising:
 a first suture fixation device including a first shape that is adapted for insertion through a bone hole in a first configuration and for positioning relative to a bone cortex in a second configuration;   a second suture fixation device that includes a shape that is different from the first shape;   a flexible suture coupling connected to the first suture fixation device and the second suture fixation device,   wherein the flexible suture coupling passes through each of the first suture fixation device and the second suture fixation device at least two times,   wherein a free end of the flexible suture coupling is received through an aperture of the second suture fixation device,   wherein the free end of the flexible suture coupling is tensionable to shorten a length of the flexible suture coupling between the first suture fixation device and the second suture fixation device;   a passing device; and   a suture connecting the passing device to the first suture fixation device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first suture fixation device includes a button. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second suture fixation device includes a washer. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the second suture fixation device includes a bone fastener received through the washer. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the bone cortex is a tibial cortex. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first shape is an elongated shape. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the passing device is an elongated device that includes an eyelet. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the suture is received through the eyelet. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the aperture of the second suture fixation device is a round aperture. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible suture coupling includes a loop portion. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , comprising a 3.5 mm drill bit configured for drilling the bone hole. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first suture fixation device and the second suture fixation device are titanium devices. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible suture coupling includes a polyethylene suture. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is formed in a round portion of the second suture fixation device. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible suture coupling passes through each of a first aperture and a second aperture of the first suture fixation device the at least two times. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the flexible suture coupling is passed through the second suture fixation device prior to being passed through the first aperture and the second aperture a second time of the at least two times. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first suture fixation device or the second suture fixation device includes rounded corners. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the passing device includes a first length that is greater than a second length of the bone hole.