Patent ID: 8465529

Claim:
A method of direct vertebral rotation comprising: attaching pedicle screws to at least two vertebrae of a spine to be aligned, the spine extending along an inferior-superior axis; attaching a lever having a distal end to each of the pedicle screws, the distal ends of the levers deviating from alignment along a line parallel to the inferior-superior axis; positioning the levers between jaws of a direct vertebral rotation instrument; rotating the vertebrae to be aligned relative to each other by bringing the jaws together towards a closed position, whereby the jaws force the distal ends of the levers into alignment along the line parallel to the inferior-superior axis, wherein each of the jaws includes an inner portion facing towards the other of the jaws, the inner portion including a compliant material configured to conform to at least a portion of the levers when the jaws are in the closed position; and collectively rotating the vertebrae to be aligned relative to adjacent spinal segments by rotating the direct vertebral rotation instrument while the jaws are in the closed position.