Fixation system for an elongated prosthesis

A prosthetic ligament assembly for connecting first and second spaced apart bones comprising:

• an elongated prosthetic ligament extending between first and second ends;
• first retention means fixed to the first bone having a first bore extending therethrough between a minor opening of reduced cross sectional area facing toward the second bone and a major opening of increased cross sectional area facing away from the second bone, the bore defining a first seating surface therein, said first retention means including a first attachment member having a minor end of reduced cross sectional area and a major end of increased cross sectional area shaped similarly to said first seating surface for mating engagement therewith, said major end of said first attachment member being greater in magnitude than the minor opening in said first retention means;
• second retention means fixed to the second bone having a second bore extending therethrough between a minor opening of reduced cross sectional area facing toward the first bone and a major opening of increased cross sectional area facing away from the first bone, the second bore defining a frusto-conical second seating surface therein, said second retention means including adjustable mounting means for selectively attaching said second end of said prosthetic ligament to said second retention means to achieve a predetermined tension therein;
• first coupling means external of the first bone for connecting said first end of said prosthetic ligament to said first retention means to resist tensile loading therebetween while otherwise permitting relative movement therebetween;
• and
• second coupling means external of the second bone for connecting said second end of said prosthetic ligament to said second retention means to resist tensile loading therebetween while otherwise permitting relative movement therebetween.

A prosthetic ligament assembly for connecting first and second spaced apart bones comprising:

• an elongated prosthetic ligament extending between first and second ends;
• first retention means having a threaded bore therethrough fixed to the first bone and including a first attachment member threadedly engaged with the threaded bore, said first attachment member including an integral loop member generally facing the second bone;
• and
• second retention means having a smooth bore therethrough fixed to the second bone and including an externally threaded second attachment member slidably received in the smooth bore, said second attachment member including an integral loop member generally facing the first bone and a nut fastener threadedly engaged with said second attachment member;
• said prosthetic ligament including integral loop members at said first and second ends, respectively, mutually linking said loop members on said first and second attachment members enabling said nut fastener to be screwed into mating engagement with said second retention means until a predetermined magnitude of tension in said prosthetic ligament is achieved.