Drill guides are used during the reconstruction of the ACL and PCL. As the name implies, these devices are used for properly aligning the drill bit for the precise creation of tunnels and holes in boney surfaces. The knee is one of the most susceptible joints to pressure and injury in the human body, as its bending capacity is determined by a complex interaction of rotational and extensional movements. The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL/PCL) connect the bones that form the knee and stabilize joint movements to prevent the femur from sliding against the tibia and vice versa.
Injuries to the ACL are quite common. These injuries can be caused by excessive use, physical impact or wear over time. Usually, during ACL/PCL reconstruction, the surgeon drills holes in the tibia in order to hold harvested patellar tendon with fixation devices such as staples and screws, thus reconstructing the ligament.

Hand instruments are mostly non-disposable, unpowered, metallic instruments that are used as hand tools for surgery. These include, but are not limited to, graspers, knives, probes, punches, scissors, scissor punches, dissectors and shears.
Each of these tools comes in a variety of configurations and geometries to suit surgeon preference and surgical need. Because hand instruments are essentially a commodity market, the key differentiating factors are ergonomics and surgeon preference. Hand instruments are often sold as part of a complete package of devices for the treatment of a specific indication, such as anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction or rotator cuff repair. More recently, they are becoming available for hip arthroscopy and small joint repair.

The full report suite on the U.S. market for arthroscopic devices includes arthroscopes, disposable cannulas, hand instruments, fluid management disposables, shaver blades, radiofrequency (RF) probes, drill guide systems and disposables and suture passers. Power instruments are covered in an appendix.