Patent ID: 8298247

Claim:
A method of tensioning a strand of suture, comprising the steps of: looping a strand of suture around a first section of a tissue and a second section of tissue to be joined; providing a cannulated suture tensioner comprising: a cannulated tube having a proximal end and a distal end; a handle attached to the proximal end of the cannulated tube, the handle being configured to allow a strand of suture to pass through at least a portion of the cannulated tube and through the handle; and an adjustment device located on the handle, the adjustment device being adapted to be coupled to an end of the strand of suture passing through the cannulated tube and the handle, such that rotation of the adjustment device adjusts suture tension, the adjustment device being provided with a structure for capturing the strand of suture; and two springs compressibly disposed between the cannulated tube and the handle for biasing the tube and the handle apart; removing the adjustment device from the handle; advancing a first end of the suture comprising a post leg of a slip knot formed in the suture through the cannulated suture tensioner; reinserting the adjustment device over the first end of the suture passing through the cannulated suture tensioner, and securing the end of the suture to the structure of the adjustment device; and rotating the adjustment device with the secured end of the suture to adjust the overall length of the suture tensioner and exert tension on the post leg of the slip knot formed in the suture, thereby tightening the loop of suture around the first and second sections of tissue.