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Surgeon's knot
Type of knot / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The surgeon's knot is a surgical knot and is a simple modification to the reef knot. It adds an extra twist when tying the first throw, forming a double overhand knot. The additional turn provides more friction and can reduce loosening while the second half of the knot is tied.[1] This knot is commonly used by surgeons in situations where it is important to maintain tension on a suture, giving it its name.[2]
Surgeon's knot | |
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![]() The surgeon's knot before tightening showing the two twists in the bottom and the one on top | |
Names | Surgeon's knot, Ligature knot |
Category | Binding |
Category 2 | Bend |
Related | reef knot, Double overhand knot |
ABoK | #461, #463, #1209 |
Surgeon's knots are also used in fly fishing, in tying quilts, and for tying knots with twine; it is particularly useful in tying raw meat with butcher's twine, as the wet meat creates similar risks of loosening as surgery. Some sources categorize the surgeon's knot as a bend, since it can be effective as such.[3]
Like the reef knot, the surgeon's knot capsizes and fails if one of the working ends is pulled away from the standing end closest to it.[citation needed]