A flexible implant technique that fixes ligament or joint injuries using button-and-suture constructs instead of rigid hardware.
Suture button fixation (SBF) is a surgical technique in which two small metal or polymer buttons, connected by a strong suture or tape, are used to secure and stabilise disrupted ligamentous or syndesmotic structures (e.g., ankle syndesmosis, AC joint) by compressing the injured segment across bone tunnels. Unlike rigid screw fixation, it allows a degree of physiological micromotion at the joint, which proponents argue better accommodates normal biomechanics during healing and reduces the need for hardware removal. Evidence on long-term outcomes versus traditional fixation (e.g., screws) is still evolving and varies by anatomical site, so comparative superiority should not be assumed.
This definition was auto-drafted and is pending editorial review.