Devices and methods for correcting spinal deformities

Abstract

The present application discloses methods for treating a spinal deformity. In one embodiment, an elongated member is attached to vertebral members with fasteners. A separate fastener may attach the elongated member to each of the vertebral members. The elongated member may apply a force to limit growth on one side of the vertebral members, such as a convex side of a scoliotic spine. Each fastener may be constructed to limit a direction of growth of the vertebral member thereby applying a specific, corrective force to the vertebral member. The fasteners may allow relative motion between adjacent vertebral members without losing the attachment between the vertebral members and the fasteners. The net result may be controlled modulation of growth to reduce and/or eliminate the spinal deformity through redirection of growth potential.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of treating a spinal deformity comprising:
 attaching a first fastener to a first vertebral member that is offset a first amount from a correct alignment of the first vertebral member in a plane of a patient's body;   attaching a second fastener to a second vertebral member that is offset a second amount from a correct alignment of the second vertebral member in the plane;   attaching a third fastener to a third vertebral member that is offset a third amount from a correct alignment of the third vertebral member in the plane; and   coupling an elongated member with the first fastener, the second fastener and the third fastener such that the first fastener allows movement between the elongated member and the first vertebral member through multiple planes, the second fastener allows movement between the elongated member and the second vertebral member through a single plane and the third fastener prevents movement between the elongated member and the third vertebral member.   
     
     
         22 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the plane of the patient's body is a coronal plane of the patient's body. 
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the multiple planes include a coronal plane of the patient's body and a sagittal plane of the patient's body. 
     
     
         24 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the single plane is a coronal plane of the patient's body. 
     
     
         25 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the multiple planes include a sagittal plane of the patient's body, a coronal plane of the patient's body and a transverse plane of the patient's body and the single plane is one of the sagittal plane, the coronal plane and the transverse plane. 
     
     
         26 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein:
 the multiple planes include a coronal plane of the patient's body and a sagittal plane of the patient's body; and   the elongated member allows movement within the sagittal plane and prevents movement within the coronal plane.   
     
     
         27 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the single plane is a coronal plane of the patient's body, the second fastener preventing movement between the elongated member and the second vertebral member in a sagittal plane of the patient's body and a transverse plane of the patient's body. 
     
     
         28 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the second amount is less than the first amount and the third amount is less than the second amount. 
     
     
         29 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the vertebral members each include a concave side and a convex side, the fasteners being attached to the convex sides to apply a compressive force to the convex sides to reduce or eliminate the spinal deformity. 
     
     
         30 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the vertebral members are part of a spinal column that includes a concave side and a convex side, the elongated member being attached to the convex sides to apply a compressive force that limits growth on the convex side while allowing growth on the concave side. 
     
     
         31 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the vertebral members are deformed laterally such that axes of the vertebral members are displaced from a sagittal plane passing through a centerline of the patient's body. 
     
     
         32 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the fasteners each include an anchor having a head and a saddle having a receptacle connected with the head. 
     
     
         33 . A method as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the receptacle of the first fastener is pivotally and rotatably connected to the head of the first fastener and the receptacle of the second fastener is rotatably mounted on the head of the second fastener. 
     
     
         34 . A method as recited in  claim 32 , wherein:
 the saddle of the first fastener is rotatable 360 degrees about the anchor of the first fastener; and   the saddle of the second fastener is rotatable 360 degrees about the anchor of the second fastener.   
     
     
         35 . A method as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the head of the second fastener includes a groove extending transverse to the anchor of the second fastener and the saddle of the second fastener includes extensions that fit within the groove such that the saddle of the second fastener is rotatable  360  degrees about the anchor of the second fastener. 
     
     
         36 . A method as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the saddle of the third fastener and the anchor of the third fastener are constructed from a single member. 
     
     
         37 . A method as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the elongated member engages the head of the first fastener and is spaced apart from the head of the second fastener when the elongated member is positioned within the receptacles of the first, second and third fasteners. 
     
     
         38 . A method of treating a spinal deformity comprising:
 attaching a first fastener to a first vertebral member that is offset a first amount from a correct alignment of the first vertebral member in a plane of a patient's body;   attaching a second fastener to a second vertebral member that is offset a second amount from a correct alignment of the second vertebral member in the plane;   attaching a third fastener to a third vertebral member that is offset a third amount from a correct alignment of the third vertebral member in the plane;   positioning an elongated member within the first fastener such that the first fastener allows movement between the elongated member and the first vertebral member through multiple planes to redirect a growth potential of the first vertebral member;   positioning the elongated member within the second fastener such that the second fastener allows movement between the elongated member and the second vertebral member through a single plane to redirect a growth potential of the second vertebral member; and   positioning the elongated member within the third fastener such that the third fastener prevents movement between the elongated member and the third vertebral member to redirect a growth potential of the third vertebral member.   
     
     
         39 . A method as recited in  claim 38 , wherein each of the growth potentials of the first, second and third vertebral members is different. 
     
     
         40 . A method as recited in  claim 38 , wherein the vertebral members are part of a spinal column that includes a concave side and a convex side, the elongated member being attached to the convex sides to apply a compressive force that limits growth on the convex side while allowing growth on the concave side.