System and method for correction of a spinal disorder

Abstract

A surgical system and method for fusionless correction of a spine disorder are provided. The method comprising the steps of providing access to a spine; providing a longitudinal element extending between a first end including a first fixation element and a second end including a second fixation element; engaging the first fixation element with a first costovertebral surface and engaging the second fixation element with a second costovertebral surface such that the longitudinal element is disposed in a costotransverse orientation along a selected section of the spine; and preventing growth of the selected section of the spine with the longitudinal element.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for correction of a spinal disorder, the method comprising the steps of:
 engaging a first end of a longitudinal element with a first fixation element and engaging a second end of the longitudinal element with a second fixation element, wherein at least one of the first fixation element and the second fixation element is configured to penetrate bone; and   engaging the first fixation element with a first costovertebral surface and engaging the second fixation element with a second costovertebral surface such that the longitudinal element is disposed in a costotransverse orientation along a selected section of a patient's spine.   
     
     
         22 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising accessing the spine by creating a pathway to a surgical site adjacent the selected section of the spine via a substantially posterior approach. 
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising accessing the spine using a minimally invasive technique for creating a pathway to the spine. 
     
     
         24 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the longitudinal element includes a tether. 
     
     
         25 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the longitudinal element includes a cadaver tendon. 
     
     
         26 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the longitudinal element includes a solid core. 
     
     
         27 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first fixation element and the second fixation element is a bone screw. 
     
     
         28 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the step of engaging includes threading the longitudinal element in the costotransverse orientation through a plurality of costovertebral spaces disposed along a plurality of vertebral levels. 
     
     
         29 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the step of engaging the first fixation element with the first costovertebral surface includes penetrating bone from a posterior approach. 
     
     
         30 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the first costovertebral surface is spaced apart from the second costovertebral surface over a plurality of vertebral levels. 
     
     
         31 . A method for correction of a spinal disorder, the method comprising the steps of:
 engaging a first end of a longitudinal element with a first fixation element and engaging a second end of the longitudinal element with a second fixation element, wherein at least one of the first fixation element and the second fixation element is configured for non-penetrating engagement with bone; and   engaging a surface of the first fixation element with a first costovertebral surface of a first vertebra and engaging a second surface of the second fixation element with a second costovertebral surface of a second vertebra such that the longitudinal element is disposed in a costotransverse orientation along a selected section of the spine.   
     
     
         32 . A method as recited in  claim 31 , further comprising accessing the spine by creating a pathway to a surgical site adjacent the selected section of the spine via a substantially posterior approach. 
     
     
         33 . A method as recited in  claim 31 , wherein the first costovertebral surface is spaced apart from the second costovertebral surface over a plurality of vertebral levels. 
     
     
         34 . A method as recited in  claim 31 , wherein the step of engaging includes threading the longitudinal element in the costotransverse orientation through a plurality of costovertebral spaces disposed along a plurality of vertebral levels. 
     
     
         35 . A method as recited in  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the first fixation element and the second fixation element is a washer. 
     
     
         36 . A method as recited in  claim 31 , wherein engaging a first end of a longitudinal element with a first fixation element and engaging a second end of the longitudinal element with a second fixation element comprises disposing the first end in a first aperture of the first fixation element and disposing the second end in a second aperture of the second fixation element. 
     
     
         37 . A method as recited in  claim 36 , wherein:
 the first fixation element is a washer; and   the first aperture is circular.   
     
     
         38 . A method as recited in  claim 36 , wherein the first end comprises a first knot having a diameter that is greater than that of the first aperture, the first knot engaging a planar surface of the first fixation element that is opposite the surface of the first fixation element that engages the first costovertebral surface. 
     
     
         39 . A method as recited in  claim 31 , wherein engaging a first end of a longitudinal element with a first fixation element and engaging a second end of the longitudinal element with a second fixation element comprises engaging a first planar surface of the first fixation element with the first costovertebral surface and engaging a second planar surface of the second fixation element with the second costovertebral surface. 
     
     
         40 . A method as recited in  claim 39 , wherein the first planar surface faces the second planar surface.