Patent ID: 7326222

Claim:
A suture tensioning device, comprising: a first cannulated tube having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner surface; a second cannulated tube telescopically slidable within the first cannulated tube so that the second cannulated tube non-rotatably telescopes relative to the first cannulated tube, the second cannulated tube having an outer tubular surface; a spring compressibly disposed between the first cannulated tube and the second cannulated tube for biasing the tubes apart, the spring extending between the inner surface of the first cannulated tube and the outer tubular surface of the second cannulated tube; a screw having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the screw being threadingly engaged with the proximal end of the first cannulated tube, the proximal end of the screw being engaged with an adjustment device adapted to be coupled to an end of a strand of suture passing through the first and second cannulated tubes, such that rotation of the screw adjusts overall length of the device, thereby adjusting suture tension; and a thumb pad disposed between the most proximal end of the first cannulated tube and the adjustment device, for preventing movement of the first cannulated tube as the screw is rotated.