Arthroscopic Knot Tying
Don Johnson
The technique of tying arthroscopic knots must be learned before the OR. This is just like the days of being a medical student, practicing suturing and knot tying on the orange. The most common situation that requires knot tying is when placing sutures into the shoulder capsule to plicate the tissue. If suture anchors are used then knot tying is essential.
You must first learn a slip knot. This one is fairly easy and is called a bunting hitch by sailors, or the Tennessee slider by Steve Snyder. The steps are shown below; click on the animation link to show the animation. To return from the animation use the browser back button. To stop and start the animation, use the stop and refresh button on the browser.
The Steps
The left is called the post Throw one half hitch over
Throw a second under both Pull on the post
The knot slides down to the anchor Tighten the knot with the right strand
Tighten the knot Throw more half hitches
Tighten the half hitches
