Abstract: A method of performing a surgical anterior extradiscal correction of a thoracolumbar pathology includes steps of surgically approaching a patient's spine and correcting a thoracolumbar pathology, aligning adjacent vertebral bodies, and securing the vertebral bodies in a desired relative position with anterior instrumentation that penetrates at least one of the vertebral bodies. The anterior instrumentation includes a bioabsorbable element and in one embodiment includes first and second bioabsorbable anchors for penetrating anterior portions of respective first and second sacral, thoracic or lumbar vertebral bodies and bioabsorbable instrumentation that fixedly connects the first bioabsorbable anchor to the second bioabsorbable anchor. This permits the first sacral, thoracic or lumbar vertebral body to be surgically fixed to the second sacral, thoracic or lumbar vertebral body for a predetermined period of time, when the bioabsorbable apparatus will be absorbed by a patient's body.

Abstract: A method of performing a surgical anterior extradiscal correction of a thoracolumbar pathology includes steps of surgically approaching a patient's spine and correcting a thoracolumbar pathology, aligning adjacent vertebral bodies, and securing the vertebral bodies in a desired relative position with anterior instrumentation that penetrates at least one of the vertebral bodies. The anterior instrumentation includes a bioabsorbable element and in one embodiment includes first and second bioabsorbable anchors for penetrating anterior portions of respective first and second sacral, thoracic or lumbar vertebral bodies and bioabsorbable instrumentation that fixedly connects the first bioabsorbable anchor to the second bioabsorbable anchor. This permits the first sacral, thoracic or lumbar vertebral body to be surgically fixed to the second sacral, thoracic or lumbar vertebral body for a predetermined period of time, when the bioabsorbable apparatus will be absorbed by a patient's body.

Abstract: A method of performing a surgical anterior extradiscal correction of a thoracolumbar pathology includes steps of surgically approaching a patient's spine and correcting a thoracolumbar pathology, aligning adjacent vertebral bodies, and securing the vertebral bodies in a desired relative position with anterior instrumentation that penetrates at least one of the vertebral bodies. The anterior instrumentation includes a bioabsorbable element and in one embodiment includes first and second bioabsorbable anchors for penetrating anterior portions of respective first and second sacral, thoracic or lumbar vertebral bodies and bioabsorbable instrumentation that fixedly connects the first bioabsorbable anchor to the second bioabsorbable anchor. This permits the first sacral, thoracic or lumbar vertebral body to be surgically fixed to the second sacral, thoracic or lumbar vertebral body for a predetermined period of time, when the bioabsorbable apparatus will be absorbed by a patient's body.

Abstract: A method of performing a surgical spinal fusion procedure to correct an abnormal spinal curvature preferably involves the use of an improved surgical implant spinal staple that has a main body portion, a pair of apertures and a plurality of tine members for fastening and anchoring the staple to a vertebral body. Most advantageously, the spinal staple includes integral structure for permitting direct attachment of a retaining rod, which lowers the profile of the combined staple and attachment mechanism with respect to conventional systems. The spinal fusion procedure further preferably includes a step of sculpting the attachment areas of the vertebral bodies to create recessed areas into which the spinal staples will be positioned and secured. This creates an implant that essentially has no profile with respect to the surrounding areas of the vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in retaining a longitudinally extending member in position relative to a spinal column includes a top-entry hook assembly having a hook portion which is engageable with a spinal column. A body extending upwardly from the hook portion and has an open ended recess which extends through the body and is open along one side to enable a rod or longitudinal member to be moved into the recess through the open side. An end cap is engageable with the body to close the upper side opening. A clamp member or set screw is disposed at the center of the end cap to clamp the rod in the recess in the body. The end cap and body are interconnectable by different types of connectors including a bayonet connector, a linear cam connector, or a threaded connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in retaining a longitudinally extending member in position relative to a spinal column includes a top-entry hook assembly having a hook portion which is engageable with a spinal column. A body extending upwardly from the hook portion and has an open ended recess which extends through the body and is open along one side to enable a rod or longitudinal member to be moved into the recess through the open side. An end cap is engageable with the body to close the upper side opening. A clamp member or set screw is disposed at the center of the end cap to clamp the rod in the recess in the body. The end cap and body are interconnectable by different types of connectors including a bayonet connector, a linear cam connector, or a threaded connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting vertebrae including a rod and a fastener for connecting the rod with a vertebra of a spinal column. The fastener includes a screw having a threaded portion for connection with the vertebra. The screw has a head connected to one end of the threaded portion. The head includes a bight portion and a pair of spaced apart resiliently deflectable legs extending from the bight portion. The pair of legs and the bight portion define a cavity in the screw head. The rod is receivable in the cavity in the screw head. A cap is receivable on the pair of legs and deflects the pair of legs to clamp around the portion of the rod received in the cavity in the screw head. The cap is retained on the screw so that movement of the rod relative to the screw is blocked.