A system for spinal fixation with a non-rigid portion at least one of the caudal or cephalad terminus. Various devices and techniques are described for transition from a rigid fixation construct to a less rigid support structure applied to a “soft zone” that will help share the stress created on the spinal levels caused by the fixed levels below. In specific embodiments the soft zone is provided by terminating the construct with one of a flexible tether or a dampening rod.

The present invention generally relates to methods and devices for treatment of spinal deformity, and in particular to the utilization of at least one implant to either maintain the position of at least one vertebra of a patient to prevent increase in abnormal spinal curvature, to slow progression of abnormal curvature, or to impose at least one corrective displacement and/or rotation on at least one vertebra of a patient so as to incrementally correct abnormal spinal curvature.

A vertebral column correction system for correcting a spinal deformity without fusing the joint segments is disclosed. The vertebral column correction system may have first and second vertebral anchors secured to first and second vertebrae. The vertebral column correction system may further comprise one or more intermediate vertebral anchors secured to vertebrae between the first and second vertebrae. A connection member may be disposed within a head portion of the vertebral anchors. At least a portion of the connection member may be a flexible member, such as a flexible cord, configured for tensioning between at least two vertebral anchors for providing a desired amount of tension to apply a correctional force to the spinal column. A spring member, or other tensioning member, may maintain the tension of the connection member.

Bone anchors and related systems and elements, such as means for engaging a ligament to a bone anchor for correction of spinal deformities. In some embodiments, the bone anchor may be configured for engaging vertebral bone and may comprise an exterior thread form and an interior thread form, which may be positioned within an interior chamber of the bone anchor that may open at the distal end of the bone anchor where an outer thread form may also terminate. The inner chamber may taper in an opposite direction relative to an outer surface of the bone anchor upon which the outer thread form is positioned.

The present invention generally relates to methods and device for treatment of spinal deformity, wherein at least one tether is utilized to maintain the distance between the spine and the an ilium to (1) prevent increase in abnormal spinal curvature, (2) slow progression of abnormal curvature, or (3) impose at least one corrective displacement and/or rotation.

Implantable devices for dynamic interconnection between bones, and especially between vertebrae. Some devices include tethering heads that are independent of the bone connecting member (fastener, plate, hook, loop). The devices provide for various types of manipulation of a flexible connection such as a tether, such as by providing an aperture through which the flexible connection is passed and guided, or a post to which a loop of the flexible connection can be attached, or a groove in which a loop of the flexible connection can be placed.

Various implants and surgical techniques for dynamic spinal tethering systems are discussed. In an example, a spinal tethering system can comprise a flexible elongate spinal tethering cord and a plurality of vertebral implants connecting the cord across at least four spinal levels. In this example, each vertebral implant of the plurality of vertebral implants can include a dynamic head coupling each vertebral implant to the cord. The dynamic head of each vertebral implant can be configured to share cord tension across multiple spinal levels by releasing a first tension generated at a first level between two vertebral implants of the plurality of vertebral implants to generate a second tension across two spinal levels between three vertebral implants of the plurality of vertebral implants, wherein the second tension is lower than the first tension.

The present invention generally relates to methods and device for treatment of spinal deformity, wherein at least one tether is utilized to maintain the distance between the spine and the an ilium to (1) prevent increase in abnormal spinal curvature, (2) slow progression of abnormal curvature, or (3) impose at least one corrective displacement and/or rotation.

Systems and methods for reducing the risk of PJK, PJF, and other conditions are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a longitudinal extension can be added to a primary fixation construct to extend the construct to one or more additional vertebral levels. The extension can be attached to a first attachment point, such as a bone anchor implanted in a vertebra that is superior to the primary construct. The extension can also be attached to a second attachment point, such as a component of the primary construct or an anatomical structure disposed inferior to the first attachment point. The extension can be more flexible than the primary construct and/or can limit motion to a lesser degree than the primary construct, thereby providing a more-gradual transition from the instrumented vertebrae to the natural patient anatomy adjacent thereto. The extension can be placed with little or no soft tissue disruption.

Systems and methods for reducing the risk of PJK, PJF, and other conditions are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a longitudinal extension can be added to a primary fixation construct to extend the construct to one or more additional vertebral levels. The extension can be attached to a first attachment point, such as a bone anchor implanted in a vertebra that is superior to the primary construct. The extension can also be attached to a second attachment point, such as a component of the primary construct or an anatomical structure disposed inferior to the first attachment point. The extension can be more flexible than the primary construct and/or can limit motion to a lesser degree than the primary construct, thereby providing a more-gradual transition from the instrumented vertebrae to the natural patient anatomy adjacent thereto. The extension can be placed with little or no soft tissue disruption.