Abstract: A spinal distraction splint has two like anchor screws extending along respective longitudinal screw axes and adapted to be anchored in the pelvis with the axes crossing. Each of the screws has a head formed with a transversely open recess centered on a respective transverse axis and with an annular array of teeth centered on and angularly equispaced about the respective transverse axis. A bolt extends through one of the recesses and is threaded in the other recess. Thus the bolt secures the heads together with the transverse axes coaxial and the teeth interengaged. Respective distraction rods each have one end braced on the respective screw and another end braced oppositely against a vertebra. Once the two anchor screws are properly inserted and then their heads are locked together the interfitting teeth on the heads absolutely locks them against angular rotation relative to each other about the axis of the fastener bolt and all other relative motion is eliminated by the clamping action of this bolt.

Abstract: A fractured pelvis is pinned using a guide apparatus comprising an elongated member provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced and transversely projecting arms having outer ends provided with respective coaxially aligned cannulas having points directed at each other and separated by a space. The fractured bone is positioned in the space between the cannulas with the points engaging the fractured bone and holes are formed in the bone surface using trocars through the cannulas. Then a relatively small-diameter guide rod is inserted axially through the cannulas and through the fractured bone engaged therebetween. The guide apparatus is then disengaged from the bone, but the small-diameter guide rod is left in place therein. A tubular drill bit is then fitted over one end of the guide rod and a bore is drilled through the bone along the guide rod while the bit is guided through the bone along this rod. The guide rod is then withdrawn from the bit which itself is left in the bore through the fractured bone.

Abstract: A bone pin for a fractured vertebra has a pair of ends, a bend between the ends, and at least one laterally extending lug at one of the ends. A nonstraight hole is drilled in a vertebra or between two vertebrae and the pin is inserted by means of a special forceps into this hole. Thereafter the lug or lugs of the pin is screwed to the vertebra. Such a pin can be applied transabdominably or transthoracically, and can even be used to pin the odontoid process of the second cervical vertebra.