Abstract:
A method of treating a spinal condition includes attaching an interspinous device between spinous processes of a pair of vertebrae and attaching an anterior system between the pair of adjacent vertebrae to prevent hyperkyphosis.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present application relates to the following applications, all of which are filed concurrently herewith, assigned to the same assignee, and are hereby incorporated by reference.  
                                           Attorney           Title   Docket No.   Inventor(s)                   Materials, Devices, and Methods for   P22656.00   Hai H. Trieu       Treating Multiple Spinal Regions   31132.378       Including The Interbody Region       Materials, Devices, and Methods for   P22615.00   Hai H. Trieu       Treating Multiple Spinal Regions   31132.377       Including The Anterior Region       Materials, Devices, and Methods for   P22681.00   Hai H. Trieu       Treating Multiple Spinal Regions   31132.379       Including Vertebral Body and       Endplate Regions       Use Of A Posterior Dynamic   P22397.00   Aure Bruneau et al.       Stabilization System With An   31132.420       Interdiscal Device                  
 
         [0002]     Disease, degradation, and trauma of the spine can lead to various conditions that require treatment to maintain, stabilize, or reconstruct the vertebral column. As the standard of care in spine treatment begins to move from arthrodesis to arthroplasty, preserving motion and limiting further degradation in a spinal joint or in a series of spinal joints becomes increasingly more complex. To date, standard treatments of the vertebral column have not adequately addressed the need for multiple devices, systems, and procedures to treat joint degradation. Likewise, current techniques do not adequately address the impact that a single treatment or arthroplasty system may have on the adjacent bone, soft tissue, or joint behavior.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     The present disclosure describes materials, devices, and methods for treating multiple spinal regions including the posterior and spinous process regions. In one embodiment, a method of treating a spinal condition includes attaching an interspinous device between spinous processes of a pair of vertebrae and attaching an anterior system between the pair of adjacent vertebrae to prevent hyperkyphosis.  
         [0004]     In some embodiments, the interspinous device may include a flexible interspinous process portion, a flexible ligament for extending around at least one of the spinous processes, or a rigid interspinous process portion.  
         [0005]     In some embodiments, the anterior system may include a rigid bone fixation plate or a flexible plate.  
         [0006]     In another embodiment, a method of treating a spinal condition includes inserting an interbody device into a disc space between a pair of vertebrae and attaching a interspinous device between spinous processes of a pair of vertebrae to prevent hyperlordosis.  
         [0007]     In some embodiments, the interbody device may be a motion preserving disc or a fusion device.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, a method of treating a spinal condition includes inserting an interbody device into a disc space between a pair of vertebrae, attaching a interspinous device between spinous processes of a pair of vertebrae to prevent hyperlordosis, and attaching an anterior device to anterior faces of the pair of vertebrae.  
         [0009]     In some embodiments, the anterior device includes a graft material, a woven textile material, an annulus repair device, or PEEK.  
         [0010]     In another embodiment, a method of treating a spinal condition includes attaching a motion preserving device between a pair of bone anchors, attaching each of the bone anchors to a posterior bone portion of a respective pair of vertebrae, and inserting an interspinous device between a pair of spinous processes of the pair of vertebrae.  
         [0011]     In another embodiment, a method of treating a spinal condition includes inserting an interbody device into a disc space between a pair of vertebrae and attaching a interspinous device between spinous processes of a pair of vertebrae to prevent hyperlordosis. The method further includes attaching bone anchors to posterior bone portions of the pair of vertebrae and extending a posterior device between the bone anchors.  
         [0012]     In another embodiment, a method of treating a spinal condition includes inserting an interbody device into a disc space between a pair of vertebrae and attaching a interspinous device between spinous processes of a pair of vertebrae to prevent hyperlordosis. The method further includes attaching bone anchors to posterior bone portions of the pair of vertebrae, extending a posterior device between the bone anchors, and attaching an anterior system to anterior bone portions of the pair of vertebrae.  
         [0013]     In another embodiment, a method of treating a spinal condition includes implanting an interbody treatment system between a pair of vertebrae and extending a posterior motion preservation system between posterior bone segments of the pair of vertebrae to prevent compression of posterior nerves.  
         [0014]     Additional embodiments are included in the attached drawings and the description provided below. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a sagittal view of a section of a vertebral column.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a superior view of a vertebral body depicted in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIGS. 3-9  are sagittal views of a section of a vertebral column having multiple region treatments. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     The present disclosure relates generally to vertebral reconstructive devices, and more particularly, to systems and procedures for treating multiple spinal conditions. For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments, or examples, illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
         [0019]     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the reference numeral  10  refers to a vertebral joint section or a motion segment of a vertebral column. The joint section  10  may be considered as having several regions extending from anterior to posterior. These regions include an anterior region  12 , an anterior column region  14 , a posterior region  16 , and a spinous process region  18 . The anterior column region  14  may be further considered to have several regions extending longitudinally along the vertebral column. These regions include a vertebral body region  20 , an endplate region  22 , and an interbody or disc space region  24 .  
         [0020]     Disc degeneration may lead to disc collapse or loss of disc height, resulting in pain or neurodeficit. Similarly, degeneration of the facet joints may lead to pain or neurodeficit. When treating one degenerated area of the vertebral joint, the impact of the treatment on the surrounding regions should be considered. For example, inappropriate restoration of disc height to only a posterior portion of the interbody space may result in hyperkyphosis with loss of height in the anterior interbody area and placement of the anterior annulus in compression. Likewise, in appropriate restoration of disc height to only an anterior portion of the interbody space may result in hyperlordosis with loss of posterior disc height and compression of the posterior annulus and facet joints.  
         [0021]     Treatment, stabilization, and/or reconstruction of the vertebral joint section  10  may be diagnosed and carried out in a systematic manner depending upon the conditions and material or systems available for treatment. To achieve an improved clinical outcome and a stable result, multiple regions of the vertebral column may be treated.  
         [0000]     Anterior  
         [0022]     Anterior or anterolateral systems and devices for treating anterior region  12  may include synthetic or natural tissue based prostheses for replacing or supplementing the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL). Alternatively, anterior or anterolateral systems may include anterior bone fixation plates for the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar vertebral regions. Such plates may include those offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn. under brand names such as the ATLANTIS plate, PREMIER plate, ZEPHIR plate, MYSTIC plate, PYRAMID plate, or DYNALOK CLASSIC plate, CD HORIZON ECLIPSE. In still another alternative, anterior or anterolateral systems may be made of flexible materials such as woven or braided textile based devices, elastomer-based devices, or polymeric composite-based devices that connect with two or more vertebrae. In still another alternative, the anterior or anterolateral systems may include annulus repair or replacement devices for the anterior portion of the annulus. Some anterior systems may be bioresorbable or partially resorbable.  
         [0023]     The anterior or anterolateral devices may connected to two or more vertebral bodies or vertebral endplates through the use of any connection mechanism such as bone screws, staples, sutures, or adhesives. The anterior or anterolateral systems may be loaded in compression or tension depending upon the patient&#39;s indication or the performance of other implanted systems or treatments. For example, an anterior plate may be installed in tension to counteract disc or facet degeneration in more posterior regions of the vertebral joint.  
         [0024]     The anterior or anterolateral systems may be formed from a rigid material or configuration such as a titanium or stainless steel plate. Alternatively, systems may be formed of less rigid or more flexible materials such as polyaryletherketone (PAEK)-based materials, which includes polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), PEEK-carbon composite, polyetherimide, polyimide, polysulfone, polyethylene, polyester, polylactide, copolymers of poly L-lactide and poly D-lactide, polyorthoester, tyrosine polycarbonate, polypolyurethane, silicone, polyolefin rubber, etc. The systems may be formed of inelastic material, such as braided tethers or woven fabric of polyester or polyethylene, or of elastic material, such as rubber banding or plates, sheets, rods, or tubing made of silicone or polyurethane.  
         [0000]     Interbody  
         [0025]     The disc space may require treatment due to disc collapse or loss of disc height due to degeneration, disease, or trauma. Disc space or intervertebral body devices and systems for treating region  24  may include rigid fusion devices such as those offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn. under brand names such as INTERFIX cage, INTERFIX RP cage, LT cage, CORNERSTONE spacer, TELAMON spacer, MDII and MDIII threaded bone dowels, PRECISION GRAFT and PERIMETER ring spacers, etc. Alternatively, interbody devices may include prosthetic motion preserving discs such as those offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. under brand names such as MAVERICK, BRYAN, PRESTIGE, or PRESTIGE LP. Single articulating surface motion preserving discs may be disclosed more fully in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,740,118; 6,113,637; or 6,540,785 which are incorporated by reference herein. Double articulating surface motion preserving discs may be disclosed more fully in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,674,296; 6,156,067; or 5,865,846 which are incorporated by reference herein. In still another alternative, motion preserving interbody devices may extend posteriorly from the interbody space and include features for providing posterior motion. These types of bridged systems may be disclosed in U.S. Pub. Pat. App. Nos. 2005/0171610; 2005/0171609; 2005/0171608; 2005/0154467; 2005/0154466; 2005/0154465; 2005/0154464; 2005/0154461 which are incorporated by reference herein. In still another alternative, a spherical, ellipsoidal or similarly shaped disc replacement device may be installed in the interbody space. Such devices may include the SATELLITE system offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. This type of device may be described in detail, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,822 which is incorporated by reference herein. In still another alternative, a disc replacement device may be an elastically deformable device comprising a resilient or an elastomeric material such as silicone, polyurethane, polyolefin rubber or a resilient polymer, and/or may comprise a mechanical spring component.  
         [0026]     Alternatively, interbody motion preserving devices may include nucleus replacement implants that work in conjunction with all or portions of the natural annulus. Such nucleus replacement implants may include those offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc under a brand name such as NAUTILUS or offered by or developed by Raymedica, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn. under brand names such as PDN-SOLO® and PDN-SOLO XL™. These types of nucleus replacement implants may be described in detail in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,620,196 and 5,674,295 which are incorporated by reference herein. Injectable nucleus replacement material including a polymer based system such as DASCOR™ by Disc Dynamics of Eden Prairie, Minn. or a protein polymer system such as NuCore™ Injectable Nucleus by Spine Wave, Inc. of Shelton, Conn. may be alternatives for preserving interbody motion. Other acceptable alternative injectable or insertable disc augmentation biomaterials may be natural or synthetic and may include injectable and in situ curable polyurethane or an in situ curable poly vinyl alcohol compound. Injectable silicone or collagen may also be used to restore disc height and/or preserve joint motion. Injected collagen may be autogenic, allogenic, or synthetic and may be crosslinkable. Injectable materials may be used alone or together with an inflatable container implanted within the interbody space.  
         [0027]     The interbody systems may be loaded in compression or tension depending upon the patient&#39;s indication or the performance of other implanted systems or treatments. These interbody systems may provide a desired level of intervertebral disc space distraction the depending upon the patient&#39;s indication. For example, an interbody device or system may be sized or filled to balance posterior interspinous distraction provided by an interspinous device.  
         [0000]     Posterior  
         [0028]     Posterior region systems for treating region  16  may extend along the posterior or posterolateral side of the vertebral column and may span one or more vertebral joints. Posterior systems may be used with intact anatomy or in situations in which one or more facet, the spinous process, or even the entire lamina have been resected. Examples of posterior region systems may include rigid fixation systems such as hook, rod, and screw systems which are offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn. under brands such as CD HORIZON, CD HORIZON SEXTANT, CD HORIZON M8, CD HORIZON LEGACY, CD HORIZON ANTARES, COLORADO 2, EQUATION, VERTEX, TSRH, and TSRH-3D. Semi-rigid or flexible systems may also be used and may include systems offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. under brand names such as FLEXTANT or AGILE or offered by or developed by Zimmer, Inc. of Warsaw, Ind. such as the Dynesys® Dynamic Stabilization System. These types of flexible systems may be disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2005/0171540 and 2005/0131405. These particular systems may replace or supplement natural facet joints and may attach to the posterior features of adjacent vertebrae using bone screws. Additional systems may include Archus Othopedics, Inc.&#39;s TOTAL FACET ARTHROPLASTY SYSTEM (TFAS™) or similar devices performing facet functions  
         [0029]     Alternatively, dampener systems such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,375,823; 5,540,688; 5,480,401 or U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos. 2003/0055427 and 2004/0116927, each of which is incorporated by reference herein. Additionally, rod and screw systems that use flexible PEEK rods may be chosen. In another alternative, posterior systems may be made of flexible materials such as woven or braided textile based devices that connect with two or more vertebrae. These flexible materials may be formed of natural graft material or synthetic alternatives. In still another embodiment, the posterior region systems may include annulus repair or replacement devices for the posterior portion of the annulus.  
         [0030]     The posterior region systems and devices may connected to two or more vertebral bodies or vertebral endplates through the use of any connection mechanism such as bone screws, staples, sutures, or adhesives. The systems and devices may be loaded in compression or tension depending upon the patient&#39;s indication or the performance of other implanted systems or treatments. For example, a flexible device attached to adjacent vertebrae with bone screws may be installed in tension to balance disc degeneration or subsidence of an interbody prosthesis.  
         [0031]     The posterior region systems may be formed from rigid materials such as a titanium or stainless steel. Alternatively, systems may be formed of less rigid or more flexible materials such as polyaryletherketone (PAEK)-based materials, which includes polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), PEEK-carbon composite, etc., polyetherimide, polyimide, polysulfone, polyethylene, polyester, polylactide, copolymers of poly L-lactide and poly D-lactide, polyorthoester, tyronsine polycarbonate, polypolyurethane, silicone, etc. The systems may be formed of inelastic material, such as braided tethers or woven fabric of polyester or polyethylene, or of elastic material, such as rubber banding or plates, sheets, rods, or tubing made of silicone or polyurethane. The systems may be formed of composite material including one or more materials listed above.  
         [0000]     Spinous Process  
         [0032]     Spinous process systems for treating region  18  may extend between adjacent spinous processes and/or extend around or through adjacent spinous processes. As one example, spinous process systems may include rigid interspinous process systems such as the Spire Plate system offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn. or the X-Stop system offered by or developed by St. Francis Medical Technologies of Alameda, Calif. Such systems may be disclosed in U.S. Published App. No. 2003/0216736 or in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,836,948; 5,860,977; or 5,876,404 which are incorporated by reference herein. Spinous process systems may also include semi-rigid spacer systems having flexible interspinous process sections and flexible ligaments or tethers for attaching around or through spinous processes. Such devices may include the DIAM system offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. or the Wallis system offered by or developed by Abbott Laboratories of Abbott Park, Ill. Semi-rigid spacer systems may be disclosed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,626,944 and 6,761,720 which are incorporated by reference herein. Alternatively, semi-rigid spacer systems may have rigid interspinous process sections formed of materials such as titanium but incorporating flexible ligament or tethering devices that permit a limited amount of flexion-extension motion at the vertebral joint.  
         [0033]     In still another alternative, spinous process systems may include artificial ligaments for connecting two or more spinous processes. In another alternative, interspinous process systems may be made of flexible materials such as woven or braided textile based tethers that connect with two or more vertebrae. Elastic or rubber-like materials may also be used in the interspinous process region. Depending upon the system chosen, the spinous process systems may be installed through open surgical procedures, minimally invasive procedures, injection, or other methods known in the art. These systems and devices may be loaded in compression or tension depending upon the patient&#39;s indication or the performance of other implanted systems or treatments.  
         [0000]     Vertebral Body  
         [0034]     Vertebral bodies may become damaged due to compressive trauma fractures or osteoporosis. The vertebral body region  20  may be treated to strengthen diseased or traumatized bone, reinforce bone adjacent to prosthetic implants, or repair bone loss caused by implantation or revision of prosthetic systems. One or more vertebral bodies may be treated with injectable or implantable biocompatible materials that can be placed into cancellous or cortical bone. The material may be allowed to solidify to provide structural support and reinforcement. Examples of suitable biocompatible materials may include bone cements such as those made from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), calcium phosphate, hyrdroxyapatite-tricalcium phosphate (HA-TCP) compounds, bioactive glasses, polymerizable matrix comprising a bisphenol-A dimethacrylate, or CORTOSS™ by Orthovita of Malvern, Pa. (generically referred to as a thermoset cortical bone void filler). Calcium sulfate bone void fillers and other filling materials or combinations of filling materials may also be used. Bone void fillers or bone cements may be treated with biological additives such as demineralized bone matrix, collagen, gelatin, polysaccharide, hyaluronic acid, keratin, albumin, fibrin, cells and/or growth factors. Additionally or alternatively, bone void fillers or bone cements may be mixed with inorganic particles such as hydroxyapatite, fluorapatite, oxyapatite, wollastonite, anorthite, calcium fluoride, agrellite, devitrite, canasite, phlogopite, monetite, brushite, octocalcium phosphate, whitlockite, tetracalcium phosphate, cordierite, berlinite or mixtures thereof.  
         [0035]     Other osteoinductive, osteoconductive, or carrier materials that may be injected, extruded, inserted, or deposited into vertebral bone include collagen, fibrin, albumin, karatin, silk, elastin, demineralized bone matrix, or particulate bone. Various bone growth promoting biologic materials may also be used including mysenchymal stem cells, hormones, growth factors such as transforming growth factor beta (TGFb) proteins, bone morphogenic proteins (including BMP and BMP2), or platelet derived growth factors. Examples of such materials that can be injected into vertebral bodies are disclosed in U.S. Pub. No. 2005/0267577, which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0036]     The above mentioned bone fillers may be used alone such as in vertebroplasty procedures that inject bone cement directly into the interstitial spaces in cancellous bone. Alternatively, the above mentioned bone fillers and treatments may be used with void creation devices such as balloon expansion systems offered by or developed by Kyphon, Inc. of Glendale, Calif. examples of such systems are disclosed in U.S. Pub. Nos. 2004/0102774 and 20040133280 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,969,888 and 5,108,404, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. Other void creation systems that utilize expandable cages or displacement systems may also be used for vertebral body repair. Such systems may be disclosed in U.S. Published Pat. App. No. 2004/0153064 and 2005/0182417 and are incorporated by reference herein. In still another alternative, vertebral body replacement devices or corpectomy devices may be used to replace an entire vertebrae or series of vertebrae. Such corpectomy systems may be of the type disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,702,453; 5,776,197; 5,5776,198; or 6,344,057 which are incorporated by reference herein.  
         [0000]     Endplate  
         [0037]     Endplates may become fractured, damaged, or collapsed as a result of degeneration, disease, or trauma. Even relatively healthy endplates may need reinforcement due to procedures that affect surrounding regions. The endplate region  22  of vertebral body  20  may be replaced, reinforced or otherwise treated to strengthen the area in preparation for further procedures or to repair damage caused by interbody procedures such as disc replacement surgery. Endplate supplementation systems may use rigid or flexible devices such as metal plates with spikes or other attachment mechanisms to anchor the plates to existing bony tissue. Alternatively, vertebral endplates may be treated with injectable or implantable biocompatible materials that can be placed into cancellous or cortical bone. The material may be allowed to solidify to provide structural support and reinforcement. Examples of suitable biocompatible materials may include bone cements such as those made from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), calcium phosphate, hyrdroxyapatite-tricalcium phosphate (HA-TCP) compounds, bioactive glasses, polymerizable matrix comprises a bisphenol-A dimethacrylate, or thermoset cortical bone void filler. Calcium sulfate bone void fillers and other filling materials or combinations of filling materials may also be used. These implant materials may be treated with biological additives such as demineralized bone matrix, collagen, gelatin, polysaccharide, hyaluronic acid, keratin, albumin, fibrin, cells and/or growth factors. Additionally or alternatively, the implant materials may be mixed with inorganic particles such as hydroxyapatite, fluorapatite, oxyapatite, Wollastonite, anorthite, calcium fluoride, agrellite, devitrite, canasite, phlogopite, monetite, brushite, octocalcium phosphate, Whitlockite, tetracalcium phosphate, cordierite, Berlinite or mixtures thereof.  
         [0038]     Other osteoinductive or osteoconductive materials that may be injected into vertebral endplates include collagen, fibrin, albumin, karatin, silk, elastin, demineralized bone matrix, or particulate bone. Various bone growth promoting biologic materials may also be used including mysenchymal stem cells, hormones, growth factors such as transforming growth factor beta (TGFb) proteins, bone morphogenic proteins (including BMP and BMP2), or platelet derived growth factors. Additional materials that can be injected into vertebral bodies are disclosed in U.S. Pub. No. 2005/0267577, which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0000]     Treating Multiple Areas  
         [0039]     Treatment, stabilization, and/or reconstruction of the vertebral column may be diagnosed and carried out in a systematic manner depending upon the conditions and material or systems available for treatment. To achieve an improved clinical outcome and a stable result, multiple regions of the vertebral column may be treated.  
         [0040]     An objective for treating multiple areas may include one or more of the following benefits: more immediate and adequate stabilization, more accurate anatomical correction, accelerated healing and/or improved clinical outcomes due to mutual reinforcements between the treated areas. The treated regions and employed devices can vary depending upon clinical objectives such as elimination or reduction of motion, restoration or increase of motion, elimination or reduction of intervertebral collapse, restoration or maintenance of disc height, elimination or reduction of hyperlordosis, restoration or increase of lordosis, elimination or reduction of hyperkyphosis, restoration or increase of kyphosis, correction of scoliosis, improvement of spinal alignment in the sagital and/or coronal plane, restoration or increase of vertebral/endplate strength, restoration or increase of vertebral/endplate density, acceleration of intervertebral fusion, and achieving differential stiffness or motion at different regions.  
         [0000]     Spinous Process/Posterior  
         [0041]     In one example, a spinous process system and a posterior system, chosen from the systems described above, may be combined As shown in  FIG. 3 , a multiple region system  100  may include an interspinous process system  102  having a flexible interspinous portion and flexible lugs extending from the interspinous portion and along the adjacent spinous processes. Exemplary systems may include the DIAM interspinous process system offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. The system  100  may also include a posterior motion system  104  such as a Dynesys® Dynamic Stabilization System offered by or developed by Zimmer, Inc. It is understood that the combination of treatment methods and devices described in  FIG. 3  is merely exemplary and that other materials and systems may be chosen to achieve a desired result involving the spinous process and posterior regions.  
         [0042]     Other examples include, but are not limited to, the following combinations: 1) the ADGILE posterior system and an elastic tension band connecting spinous processes, 2) an elastic posterior tension band and the X-STOP interspinous system, 3) a PEEK rod posterior system and a resorbable tether connecting the spinous processes, 4) the Total Facet Replacement System by Archus Orthopedics, Inc. for the posterior and the DIAM interspinous device and 5) a PEEK rod posterior system and an elastic tension band connecting spinous processes.  
         [0000]     Spinous Process/Anterior  
         [0043]     In one example, a spinous process system and an anterior system chosen from the systems described above, may be combined. As shown in  FIG. 4 , a multiple region system  110  may include an interspinous process system  132  having a flexible interspinous portion and flexible lugs extending from the interspinous portion and along the adjacent spinous processes. Exemplary systems may include the DIAM interspinous process system offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. The system  110  may also include an anterior system  114  which may be a bioresorbable anterior plate attached to the anterior faces of adjacent vertebral bodies with bone screws. It is understood that the combination of treatment methods and devices described in  FIG. 4  is merely exemplary and that other materials and systems may be chosen to achieve a desired result involving the spinous process and anterior regions.  
         [0044]     Other examples include, but are not limited to, the following combinations: 1) the DIAM interspinous spacer and an elastic anterior tension band, 2) the WALLIS interspinous system and a flexible woven anterior plate, 3) The X-STOP interspinous system and a resorbable polylactide-based anterior plate, 4) an elastic interspinous tension band and a flexible anterior band, and 5) an interspinous tether and an anterior PEEK plate.  
         [0000]     Spinous Process/Interbody  
         [0045]     In one example, a spinous process system and an intervertebral body system may be combined. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a multiple region system  120  may include an interspinous process system  122  having a flexible interspinous portion and flexible lugs extending from the interspinous portion and along the adjacent spinous processes. Exemplary systems may include the DIAM interspinous process system offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. The system  120  may also include an intervertebral body augmentation material  124  which may be, for example, an injectable material such as PVA, polyurethane, or collagen. It is understood that the combination of treatment methods and devices described in  FIG. 5  is merely exemplary and that other materials and systems may be chosen to achieve a desired result involving the spinous process and interbody regions.  
         [0046]     Other examples include, but are not limited to, the following combinations: 1) the NAUTILUS nucleus implant and an elastic interspinous tension band, 2) the BRYAN disc prosthesis and an interspinous braided tether, 3) the SATELLITE nucleus implant and the WALLIS interspinous system, 4) the MAVERICK disc prosthesis and a semi-elastic interspinous tension band, and 5) injectable/in situ curable biomaterials in the disc space and the DIAM interspinous device.  
         [0000]     Spinous Process/Interbody/Anterior  
         [0047]     In one example, a spinous process system, an intervertebral body system, and an anterior system, chosen from the systems described above, may be combined As shown in  FIG. 6 , a multiple region system  130  may include an interspinous process system  132  having a flexible interspinous portion and flexible lugs extending from the interspinous portion and along the adjacent spinous processes. Exemplary systems may include the DIAM interspinous process system offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. The system  130  may also include an intervertebral body material  134  which may be, for example, an injectable material such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel, polyurethane, collagen, demineralized bone matrix, gelatin, polysaccharide, hyaluronic acid, keratin, albumin, silk, elastin, fibrin polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), calcium phosphate, hyrdroxyapatite-tricalcium phosphate (HA-TCP) compounds, bioactive glasses, polymerizable matrix comprises a bisphenol-A dimethacrylate, or CORTOSS™ by Orthovita of Malvern, Pa. (generically referred to as a thermoset cortical bone void filler) or their combinations.  
         [0048]     The system  130  may also include an anterior system  136  which may be a flexible plate connected to anterior surfaces of adjacent vertebrae with bone screws to provide support to the anterior disc annulus.  
         [0049]     Other examples include, but are not limited to, the following combinations: 1) the DIAM interspinous spacer, RayMedica&#39;s PDN disc nucleus implant and an elastic anterior tension band, 2) an elastic interspinous tension band, the MAVERICK disc prosthesis and a flexible woven anterior plate, 3) the X-STOP interspinous system, injectable collagen for interevertebral disc space and a resorbable polylactide-based anterior plate, 4) an interspinous braided tether, the NAUTILUS disc nucleus implant and a flexible anterior band, and 5) the WALLIS interspinous system, LT cages for intervertebral space and anterior PEEK plate.  
         [0050]     It is understood that the combination of treatment methods and devices described in  FIG. 6  is merely exemplary and that other materials and systems may be chosen to achieve a desired result involving the spinous process, interbody, and anterior regions.  
         [0000]     Spinous Process/Posterior/Interbody  
         [0051]     In one example, a spinous process system, an intervertebral body system, and a posterior system, chosen from the systems described above, may be combined As shown in  FIG. 7 , a multiple region system  140  may include an interspinous process system  142  having a flexible interspinous portion and flexible lugs extending from the interspinous portion and along the adjacent spinous processes. Exemplary systems may include the DIAM interspinous process system offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. The system  140  may also include a posterior motion system  144  such as a Dynesys® Dynamic Stabilization System offered by or developed by Zimmer, Inc. The system  140  may also include an intervertebral body system  146  which may be a NAUTILUS nucleus implant offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc.  
         [0052]     Other examples include, but are not limited to, the following combinations: 1) the ADGILE posterior system, RayMedica&#39;s PDN disc nucleus implant and an elastic interspinous tension band, 2) an elastic posterior tension band, the MAVERICK disc prosthesis and a flexible braided interspinous tether, 3) a PEEK rod posterior system, an injectable polymethylmethacrylate bone cement for interevertebral disc space and a resorbable interspinous spacer, 4) the Total Facet Replacement System by Archus Orthopedics, Inc. for the posterior, the NAUTILUS disc nucleus implant and a semi-elastic interspinous tension band, and 5) a PEEK posterior rod system, LT cages for intervertebral space and the WALLIS interspinous system.  
         [0053]     It is understood that the combination of treatment methods and devices described in  FIG. 7  is merely exemplary and that other materials and systems may be chosen to achieve a desired result involving the spinous process, interbody, and posterior regions.  
         [0000]     Spinous Process/Posterior/Interbody/Anterior  
         [0054]     In one example, a spinous process system, an intervertebral body system, an anterior system, and a posterior system, chosen from the systems described above, may be combined As shown in  FIG. 8 , a multiple region system  150  may include an interspinous process system  152  having a flexible interspinous portion and flexible lugs extending from the interspinous portion and along the adjacent spinous processes. Exemplary systems may include the DIAM interspinous process system offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. The system  150  may also include a posterior motion system  154  such as a Dynesys® Dynamic Stabilization System offered by or developed by Zimmer, Inc. The system  150  may also include an intervertebral body system  156  which may be a NAUTILUS nucleus implant offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc. The system  150  may also include an anterior system  158  which may be flexible woven fabric plate with bone screws that secure to the vertebrae adjacent the interbody region.  
         [0055]     Other examples include but are not limited to the following combinations: 1) an interspinous braided tether, the ADGILE posterior system, RayMedica&#39;s PDN disc nucleus implant and an elastic anterior tension band, 2) the DIAM interspinous device, an elastic posterior tension band, the MAVERICK disc prosthesis and a flexible woven anterior plate, 3) an elastic interspinous tension band, a PEEK rod posterior system, injectable collagen for interevertebral disc space and a resorbable polylactide-based anterior plate, 4) the DIAM interspinous device, the Total Facet Replacement System by Archus Orthopedics, Inc. for the posterior, the NAUTILUS disc nucleus implant and a flexible anterior band, and 5) the X-STOP interspinous system, a PEEK posterior rod system, LT cages for intervertebral space and anterior PEEK plate.  
         [0056]     It is understood that the combination of treatment methods and devices described in  FIG. 8  is merely exemplary and that other materials and systems may be chosen to achieve a desired result involving the spinous process, interbody, anterior, and posterior regions.  
         [0000]     Posterior/Interbody  
         [0057]     In one example, a posterior system and an intervertebral body system, chosen from the systems described above, may be combined. As shown in  FIG. 9 , a multiple region system  110  may include a posterior system  112  such as a Dynesys® Dynamic Stabilization System offered by or developed by Zimmer, Inc. The system may further include a nucleus replacement device  114  such as a NAUTILUS device offered by or developed by Medtronic, Inc.  
         [0058]     Other examples include but are not limited to the following combinations: 1) an elastic posterior tension band and the NAUTILUS nucleus implant, 2) a flexible posterior cervical rod system and the BRYAN disc prosthesis, 3) the ADGILE posterior system and the SATELLITE nucleus implant, 4) the Total Facet Replacement System by Archus Orthopedics, Inc. for the posterior and the MAVERICK disc prosthesis, 5) a flexible posterior lumbar rod system and injectable collagen-based materials for lumbar discs, 6) the ADGILE posterior system and injectable polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel for lumbar discs, and 7) the PEEK posterior rod system and injectable polymethyl-methacrylate bone cement for intervertebral disc space.  
         [0059]     Still other examples include but are not limited to the following combinations: 1) the ADGILE posterior system and RayMedica&#39;s PDN disc nucleus implant, 2) an elastic posterior tension band and the MAVERICK disc prosthesis, 3) a PEEK rod posterior system and injectable polymethylmethacrylate bone cement for interevertebral disc space, 4) the Total Facet Replacement System by Archus Orthopedics, Inc. for the posterior and the NAUTILUS disc nucleus implant, and 5) a PEEK posterior rod system and LT cages for intervertebral space.  
         [0060]     It is understood that the combination of treatment methods and devices described in  FIG. 9  is merely exemplary and that other materials and systems may be chosen to achieve a desired result involving the posterior and intervertebral body regions.  
         [0061]     Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications and alternative are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such modifications and equivalent constructions or methods do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is understood that all spatial references, such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “top,” “upper,” “lower,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “anterior,” “posterior,” “superior,” “inferior,” “upper,” and “lower” are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the elements described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent elements.