A method and apparatus for inserting inserts helically into soft tissue is provided. The inserter is made up of a housing assembly, a hollow helical needle and a matched first and second hypoid gear. In its basic form, the apparatus includes a housing assembly, sembly, a hollow helical insert guide, a helical insert drive and a guide removal device. The hollow helical insert guide is held in functional relationship by the housing assembly and is adapted to be loaded with the insert for helical transport therewith into the soft tissue. The helical insert drive drives the helical insert guide in rotation and translation into the soft tissue. When an insert is present within the insert guide, the guide removal device removes the insert guide while leaving the insert in its intended implant location in the soft tissue. The method and apparatus insert an implantable member helically into soft tissue, thereby better fixing the implantable member in the soft tissue when such tissue is deformed.
