Apparatus and method for tibial fixation of soft tissue

A method for fixation of a soft tissue graft in a bone with a fixation apparatus, said method comprising:

• forming a tunnel in the bone;
• forming a counterbore in the bone and extending into the tunnel;
• providing a combination implant and guide instrument having an implant portion and a guide portion;
• removably attaching the fixation apparatus to the combination implant and guide instrument;
• passing the graft into the tunnel and along the counterbore;
• striking the combination implant and guide instrument to implant the fixation apparatus within the counterbore to secure the graft within the counterbore;
• removing the implant portion of the combination implant and guide instrument from the fixation apparatus;
• guiding a drill bit through the fixation apparatus and the guide portion of the combination implant and guide instrument to form a bore relative to the tunnel;
• removing the guide portion of the combination implant and guide instrument from the fixation apparatus;
• and
• passing a fixation screw through the fixation apparatus and into the bore to firmly secure the graft within the tunnel.

A method for fixation of a soft tissue graft in a bone, said method comprising:

• forming a tunnel in the bone having an opening;
• providing a counterbore guide having a guide body and a guide bushing positioned substantially perpendicular to the guide body;
• slidably inserting at least a portion of the guide body into the opening in the tunnel to engage the opening at least at three points with the counterbore guide, whereby the guide bushing is positioned substantially perpendicular to the tunnel;
• forming a guide bore substantially perpendicular to the tunnel by use of the guide bushing;
• forming a counterbore substantially perpendicular to the tunnel by use of the guide bore;
• passing the graft into the tunnel and along the counterbore;
• and
• securing the graft within the counterbore.