title: How to switch posts without rethreading when tying half-hitches.
abstract: Arthroscopically tied stacked half-hitch knots and sliding knots are best locked with half-hitches on alternating posts. It is possible to switch posts without rethreading the suture through the knot tier by flipping the half-hitch. This article describes extra- and intra-articular techniques for flipping half-hitches to switch posts. The post switching is most easily accomplished by transforming the half-hitch to an intermediate flat knot with symmetrical throws. This intermediate step is imperceptible when the sequence of actions is rapid. An over-under half-hitch becomes an under-over half-hitch when the post is switched.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National University Hospital, National University of Singapore, Republic of Singapore. aceblaster@aol.com
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Burkhart
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy; D006801:Humans; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods*; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000601:surgery; D013536:Suture Techniques