Patent ID: 7097654

Claim:
A system for repairing or reconstructing a ligament in a human or animal joint, the system comprising: a flip-wing tissue retainer for installation in a first bone of the joint; a tension-adjusting device for installation in a second bone of the joint; and a ligament graft engaged with the flip-wing tissue retainer and the tension-adjusting device, the system further including a: ball-and-socket nut assembly comprising a convex curved surface nut having an internal threaded bore for receiving the tension-adjusting device; a concave socket adapted to receive, mate with and retain the nut, the socket having a first hole or first notch through a portion thereof for receiving a portion of the tension-adjusting device engaged with the nut, wherein the hole or notch is smaller in size than the nut; and a flange attached to a portion of the periphery of the socket, the flange having a second hole or second notch through a portion thereof, wherein the second hole or second notch is sufficiently large in size to permit passage of the nut into the socket.