Method and apparatus for treating a hip joint, including the provision and use of a novel suture passer

A method of passing a suture through a portion of tissue, the method comprising:

• grasping a handle assembly of a suture passer, wherein a first portion of the handle assembly is configured to move relative to a second portion of the handle assembly when a user squeezes on the handle assembly;
• squeezing the first portion and the second portion together by a first amount to translate a first jaw mounted to a shaft of the suture passer in a longitudinal direction of the shaft toward a second jaw of the suture passer for gripping a portion of tissue between the first and second jaws;
• squeezing the first portion and the second portion together by a second amount to translate a needle of the suture passer through the portion of tissue gripped between the first and second jaws and hook a portion of suture on a hook of the needle;
• and
• moving the first and second portions apart to retract the needle through the portion of tissue and pass the portion of suture through the portion of tissue,
• wherein prior to hooking the portion of the suture on the needle, the portion of suture is retained in a slot of the first jaw via a spring that biases the portion of suture in a first direction, and wherein the hook is open toward a second direction that is opposite the first direction.