Patent ID: 9545268
Date: 2017-01-17
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61F,A61L

Claim:
1. A method for stabilizing a patient's spine, the method comprising: a) performing a surgical procedure on the spine; b) securing a first fastener to a first spinous process of a first vertebra; c) securing a second fastener to a first inferior facet portion and a second superior facet portion of a second vertebra; d) securing a tensioning member to the first and second fasteners; e) tightening the tensioning member to draw the first fastener toward the second fastener; f) securing a fourth tensioning member to an anterior longitudinal ligament of the spine, the anterior longitudinal ligament having a weakened portion that is weakened as a result of the surgical procedure of step (a), the anterior longitudinal ligament including an upper end at a first side of the weakened portion and a lower end at a second side of the weakened portion, the fourth tensioning member secured to the upper end; g) securing the fourth tensioning member to the lower end; and h) tightening the fourth tensioning member to draw the upper end toward the lower end.