Methods and apparatuses for fixing a bone fragment or a bone prosthesis
onto a bone. To affix a bone fragment to the bone, an internal fastener
is attached from within the interior of the bone to a bone fragment with
a length of flexible, inelastic cord extending within the bone interior
and attached to the fastener and passing outwardly through an opening in
a second bone fragment. An axially rigid tubular support may be placed
along the cord to reduce particulate shedding, to reduce ingrowth of bone
into the cord, to provide compressive resistance to the cable, or to
deliver antibiotics or other pharmaceuticals. The fastener and cord are
so positioned as to draw respective fracture surfaces together to reduce
the fracture when the cord is pulled outwardly of the opening in the
second bone fragment. A second fastener desirably is attached to the bone
opening, this fastener including an open bore to receive the cord and a
lock to secure the cord to this fastener and maintain the cord under
tension.