Patent ID: 7776073

Claim:
A method of treating a functional spinal unit comprising posterolateral aspects, comprising the steps of: a) placing a flowable, hardenable osteogenic composition adjacent to each of the posterolateral aspects of the functional spinal unit, and b) fixing the composition to the posterolateral aspects of the functional spinal unit, wherein the step of placing is accomplished by flowing the composition, wherein the composition is flowed into a container placed adjacent to each of the posterolateral aspects of the functional spinal unit, wherein the container is placed in contact with each of the posterolateral aspects of the functional spinal unit, and wherein the container comprises an upper and a lower throughhole, each throughhole having a diameter, and wherein the fixing is accomplished by inserting a bone anchor through each of the throughholes and into each of the posterolateral aspects of the functional spinal unit wherein the anchor comprises a proximal head having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the container throughhole and a shaft having a threaded outer surface, wherein the container is an inflatable bag or balloon.