A receiver assembly includes a receiver with a base defining a central bore for receiving the head of a bone anchor and upright arms defining a channel for receiving a rod, with the central bore having through apertures extending outwardly to outer side surfaces of the receiver and the upright arms having top surfaces, opposite front and back surfaces, vertical tool-engaging slots extending downward from the top surfaces to the through apertures for slidably receiving an insert compression tool, and horizontal tool-engaging grooves on either side of the vertical slots that extend laterally to a front or back surface of the upright arm. The assembly also includes an insert positionable within the central bore with an upward-facing outer engagement surface located within a through aperture and aligned with a vertical tool-engaging slot, and which is configured for compressive engagement by the insert compressing tool to independently lock a position of the receiver with respect to the bone anchor.

An interspinous process having a narrowed distal portion.

System, including methods and devices, for fixing bone. The system may include a bone plate having two or more plate members connected to one another with one or more movable joints. Each joint may permit the orientation of the plate members to be adjusted relative to one another in a single plane or two or more nonparallel planes. The joint may have a movable configuration and a fixed configuration. Methods of creating the bone plate are also provided.

In general, scapular tethers and methods of using scapular tethers are provided. A tether is configured to be implanted in a body of a patient and to control movement of the patient's scapula. In an exemplary embodiment, the tether is configured to be attached to at least one body structure in a patient. The tether includes a flexible member configured to, when implanted in the patient, flex in response to movement of the patient's scapula accompanying arm movement of the patient.

Various methods and devices are provided for tensioning a tether. In one embodiment, a tether tensioning device is provided and includes an elongate shaft adapted to be positioned adjacent to a bone anchor implanted in bone, and a tensioning mechanism pivotally associated with the elongate shaft and adapted to couple to a tether seated across the bone anchor and to pivot relative to the elongate shaft to apply a tensioning force to the tether.

A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. A down-loadable compression insert has a lower friction fit collet and an outer receiver press fit surface. A down-loadable retaining ring has at least one inner edge and outer tiered surfaces. The ring cooperates with the shank to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled. A uni-planar assembly is included.

Implant connectors and related methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a connector can include a low-profile portion to facilitate use of the connector in surgical applications where space is limited. In some embodiments, a connector can include a biased rod-pusher to allow the connector to snap onto a rod and/or to drag against the rod, e.g., for provisional positioning of the connector prior to locking.

A support apparatus for supporting an end of a distraction marrow nail includes a base plate attachable to the pelvis, and a mounting device on the base plate for mounting of the support end of the distraction marrow nail. The mounting device includes a ball seat having a cavity forming a ball seat surface for mounting a ball on the support end of the distraction marrow nail, wherein the inside radius of the ball seat surface corresponds to the outside radius of the ball, and wherein the ball seat is arranged so that the ball of the distraction marrow nail can be movably mounted such that the distraction marrow nail can perform a movement sufficient for an extensively normal movement pattern of a femur and cannot luxate out of the ball seat when implanted in the femur.

A bunion correcting system can include a first body portion and a second body portion. One of the first and second body portions can be pivotable relative to the other of the first and second body portions. The first body portion can include a first surface, a second surface spaced from the first surface along a transverse direction, and a first aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface. The first aperture can be adapted to receive a first bone anchor to couple the first body portion to a metatarsal bone. The second body portion can include a third surface, a fourth surface spaced from the third surface along the transverse direction, and a second aperture extending from the third surface to the fourth surface. The second aperture can be adapted to receive a second bone anchor to couple the second body portion to a cuneiform bone.

Disclosed herein are distraction implants for treating, for example, spinal disorders. The implants can be comprised of a U-shaped elastic member, two bone anchor members and two tension members to couple the components together. Use of the tension members allows for transfer of distraction force without unintended forces in the perpendicular plane and parasitic moments. As there are several options for anchoring to bone, the present implants can be applied to all segments of the spine from the cervical spine to the lumbar regions. The implant can be temporary or permanent, covering indications from fracture treatment to management of chronic disc disorders, including disc protrusion. Use of the present implant and methods of use are also within the scope of the invention.