Patent ID: 8562653

Claim:
A surgical method comprising: implanting a first prosthesis into a patient, the first prosthesis comprising fusion instrumentation coupled to at least a portion of a spinal segment comprising a first and a second vertebra; implanting a constraint device into the patient, the constraint device having at least one tether portion, and at least one compliance member coupled to the at least one tether portion, wherein at least one portion of the constraint device is engaged with a spinous process of a third vertebra superior to or inferior to the instrumented portion of the spinal segment, and at least one portion of the constraint device is attached to at least one portion of the fusion instrumentation, and wherein the compliance member comprises an elastic member; and adjusting length or tension in the constraint device so that a construct of the at least one tether portion and the at least one compliance member provides an elastic force resistant to flexion of the spinal segment, and wherein the constraint device modulates loads borne by the first prosthesis or tissue adjacent thereto.