Patent ID: 8337529

Claim:
A method for stabilizing a spinal segment comprising a first and a second vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of: providing first, second, third, and fourth anchors, wherein each anchor has a first portion adapted to be inserted into a vertebra and a second portion having an enlarged end; attaching the first and second anchors to the first vertebra; attaching the third and fourth anchors to the second vertebra, wherein the attachments of the first, second, third, and fourth anchors in the first and second vertebrae define an area; positioning an in-growth component over at least a portion of the first and second vertebrae, wherein at least a portion of the in-growth component lies within the area; connecting the first anchor and at least one of the third and fourth anchors with a first elongate element; connecting the second anchor and at least one of the third and fourth anchors with a second elongate element; applying tension to the first and second elongate elements such that the first and second elongate elements press at least a portion of the in-growth component against a portion of the first and second vertebra within the area; positioning an anti-adhesion cover over at least a portion of the area, wherein said anti-adhesion cover comprises a main portion, at least one opening positioned such that at least one of the first and second anchors and at least one of the third and fourth anchors are not covered by the main portion of the anti-adhesion cover, and a flap sized to completely cover said at least one first opening in the main portion; connecting the at least one uncovered first or second anchor and the at least one uncovered third and fourth anchor with a third elongate element, wherein the third elongate element holds at least a portion of the anti-adhesion cover within the area; and folding the flap of the anti-adhesion cover over the at least one opening in the main portion to cover the third elongate element, the at least one uncovered first or second anchor, and the at least one uncovered third and fourth anchor.