A method and system for performing bone fusion and/or securing one or more bones, such as adjacent vertebra, are disclosed. The screws include a threaded tip connected to a main shaft and a threaded outer sleeve that rotates relative to the outer shaft until locked down. Independent rotation of the threaded outer sleeve relative to the threaded distal tip allows compression or distraction to modify the gap between the vertebral bodies. The screws are passed from the inferior to superior vertebra or superior to inferior, for example, through a trans-pedicular route to avoid neurological compromise. At the same time, the path of screw insertion is oriented to reach superior or inferior vertebra. An intervertebral cage of the system is configured for lateral expansion from a nearly straight configuration to form a large footprint in the disc space. The screws and cage may be combined for improved fixation with minimal invasiveness.

An open implant closure structure includes a helically wound guide and advancement structure having at least two helically wound forms thereon providing a multi-start closing mechanism for use between spaced arms of a cooperating open medical implant having mating helically wound structure thereon. Illustrated structures include interlocking flange forms, v-threads, square threads, reverse angle threads and buttress threads and receivers with break-off extensions and cooperating tooling.

A spinal alignment system can include a rod and a plurality of uniplanar screw assemblies that include a screw, a cap, and a housing. The screw and cap can be configured such that the relative angular displacement between the screw and the cap is limited to a first limit angle in a first plane and to a second limit angle in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane, the second limit angle being larger than the first limit angle. The housing can be coupled to the cap and configured to maintain the cap in proximity with the head of the screw. The housing can have two elongated elements forming a U-shaped saddle. The alignment system can also include a plurality of locking cap assemblies that capture the rod within the U-shaped saddle and are tightened to fixedly couple the rod to the respective uniplanar screw assemblies.

A screw extension assembly for use in minimally invasive spinal surgery, the assembly has an inner slotted shaft and an outer shaft, a rod reducer and a removable nut. The combination when assembled is configured to move a spinal fixation rod into a slotted rod receiving spinal implant where it is seated and affixed thereto. The screw extension assembly further has a locking knob rotationally coupled to a proximal end of the outer shaft, wherein the inner shaft has one or more cam grooves and the locking knob has a pin extending into and guided by said cam groove causing the outer shaft to translate longitudinally upon rotation of the locking knob relative to the inner shaft toward an engaged position locking the deflectable legs in the coupled position to the slotted rod receiving implant.

Implants, instruments, and methods for connecting and/or stabilizing first and second bone portions relative to one another are presented including fasteners and retainers connectable in axial force transmitting relationship and instruments for their installation. In one example a guide is configured to clamp two bone portions together while a fastener is inserted through at least one of the bone portions to engage a retainer.

A surgical fixation assembly includes a shank having an outer surface. The outer surface of the shank includes a threaded portion. The surgical fixation assembly includes a first cupped washer supported on the shank, a sleeve, and a nut threadably engaged with the threaded portion of the shank. The nut is positioned to slide the sleeve axially along the shank to deform the first cupped washer and enable the first cupped washer to penetrate osseous tissue for securing the shank to osseous tissue.

Various intramedullary implants, instruments, and methods are disclosed herein. In an example, a compression instrument is used to provide internal compression of bones adjoining a joint or bones spanning a fracture to cause compression of the joint or fracture.

A method and system for performing bone fusion and/or securing one or more bones, such as adjacent vertebra, are disclosed. The screw includes a threaded distal piece fixedly attached connected to an inner post. Both the inner post and the proximal piece have non-cylindrical receptacles at their proximal ends for engagement with driving tools. Independent rotation of the proximal piece and the distal piece enables for compression or decompression to modify the gap between two bones or bone fragments. During use, the distal piece of the bone screw is placed at least partially within a distal bone, the proximal piece is placed at least partially within a proximal bone, and one of two pieces is rotated while the other is held in a fixed position, causing movement of the proximal and distal bones relative to each other.

A method and system for performing bone fusion and/or securing one or more bones, such as adjacent vertebra, are disclosed. The screws include a threaded tip connected to a main shaft and a threaded outer sleeve that rotates relative to the outer shaft until locked down. Independent rotation of the threaded outer sleeve relative to the threaded distal tip allows compression or distraction to modify the gap between the vertebral bodies. The screws are passed from the inferior to superior vertebra or superior to inferior, for example, through a trans-pedicular route to avoid neurological compromise. At the same time, the path of screw insertion is oriented to reach superior or inferior vertebra. An intervertebral cage of the system is configured for lateral expansion from a nearly straight configuration to form a large footprint in the disc space. The screws and cage may be combined for improved fixation with minimal invasiveness.

A method and system for performing bone fusion and/or securing one or more bones, such as adjacent vertebra, are disclosed. The screws include a threaded tip connected to a main shaft and a threaded outer sleeve that rotates relative to the outer shaft until locked down. Independent rotation of the threaded outer sleeve relative to the threaded distal tip allows compression or distraction to modify the gap between the vertebral bodies. The screws are passed from the inferior to superior vertebra or superior to inferior, for example, through a transpedicular route to avoid neurological compromise. At the same time, the path of screw insertion is oriented to reach superior or inferior vertebra. An intervertebral cage of the system is configured for lateral expansion from a nearly straight configuration to form a large footprint in the disc space. The screws and cage may be combined for improved fixation with minimal invasiveness.