Patent ID: 8529606

Claim:
A method for controlling flexion in a spinal segment of a patient, said method comprising: performing a spinal fusion procedure on a pair of adjacent vertebrae in the spinal segment, wherein the pair of adjacent vertebrae comprises a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra, the superior vertebra having a spinous process with a superior surface and the inferior vertebra having a spinous process with an inferior surface; implanting a constraint device into the patient, wherein the step of implanting comprises coupling the constraint device with the spinal segment, wherein the constraint device comprises at least one compliance member and at least one tether, wherein the compliance member comprises an elastic member; and adjusting length or tension in the constraint device so that the constraint device provides an elastic force resistant to flexion of the fused spinal segment, and wherein the constraint device modulates loads borne by the fused spinal segment or tissue adjacent thereto, and wherein the at least one tether further comprises an upper tether portion and a lower tether portion, wherein the at least one compliance member is coupled therebetween, and wherein the step of coupling comprises engaging the upper tether portion with the superior surface and engaging the lower tether portion with the inferior surface or a sacrum.