This application describes surgical instruments and implants for building a posterior fixation construct across one or more segments of the spinal column. Extension guides are provided that attach to bone anchors implanted within the spine. The extension guides have a guide channel that align with a rod channel in the anchor to help direct the rod to the anchor. Instruments are provided to aid in insertion and positioning or the rod.

A soft dynamic stabilization assembly includes a core, typically in the form of a tensioned cord, at least one pair of bone anchors, a spacer surrounding the core located between the bone anchors, typically, at least one elastic bumper and at least one fixing or blocking member. The core is slidable with respect to at least one of the bone anchors and cooperating spacer.

Hydraulically expandable spinal rods and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The spinal rod may include a piston rod, a static rod, and a hydraulic pressure chamber for accepting hydraulic fluid and causing the piston rod to move in an expansion direction relative to the static rod. Upon connection of the piston and static rods to a patient's spinal column, the hydraulic spinal rod may be expanded to aid in correction of an underlying spinal deformity.

Connector assemblies, systems, and methods thereof. A modular connector has a first end that clamps to a first rod in an existing construct and a second end having a modular connection point configured to connect a second rod in a new construct such that the new construct can be extended from the existing construct.

Provided are rod coupler devices, systems, kits and methods, which include at least one saddle having a concave configuration that either abuts a bone fastener and/or a locking cap and is shaped so as to contact the rod in two or more lines of contact, which reduces pressure on the rod, and therefore permits use of a rod having various materials, such as PEEK, without significant deformation of the rod. Also provided is the saddle itself and integrated locking caps that include a saddle, the locking cap and a set screw. Also provided are elongate rods having advantageous shapes, configurations, and/or compositions for rod coupler devices, systems and methods. Further provided are screw and cap devices and systems that themselves include a concave configuration so as to contact a rod in two or more lines of contact, which reduces pressure on the rod.

A method of securing a rod to a receiver via a closure top. The receiver is configured to be used with a bone anchor and includes a pair of upright arms that define an open channel configured to receive the rod, a discontinuous helically wound receiver guide and advancement structure formed into the interior surfaces of the upright arms, and horizontally-elongated tool-engaging structures formed on the outer surface of the upright arms. The method further includes positioning the rod within the open channel of the receiver and securing the rod to the receiver by threadably advancing the closure top to secure the rod and within the receiver body of the receiver. The method further includes rotatably attaching a lower end of a tool to the receiver.

Connector assemblies, systems, and methods thereof. A connector has a first end that clamps to a first rod in an existing construct and a second end, connected to the first end, that clamps to a second rod in a new construct such that the new construct can be extended from the existing construct at an adjacent level as the existing construct.

Connector assemblies, systems, and methods thereof. A modular connector has a first end that clamps to a first rod in an existing construct and a second end having a modular connection point configured to connect a second rod in a new construct such that the new construct can be extended from the existing construct.

A spinal implant includes first and second pedicle screws, each of which comprises a threaded shank coupled to a head. First and second cantilevered arms are coupled to the first and second pedicle screws, respectively. The first cantilevered arm includes a contact member arranged to contact and move over a contact portion of the second cantilevered arm.

A method of inserting a spinal stabilization system into a patient generally comprises inserting a first positioning tool through a first location on a patient's skin and along a path generally toward a first vertebral anchor, coupling an end of the first positioning tool to the first vertebral anchor, positioning at least a portion of a delivery device over a connecting element, and inserting the delivery device and the connecting element through the patient's skin at the first location and along at least a portion of the first positioning tool. The first positioning tool is configured to facilitate directing the delivery device and connecting element generally toward a second vertebral anchor within the patient's body.