Patent ID: 8162982

Claim:
A method for constraining spinous processes to elastically limit flexion of two or more adjacent spinal segments, said method comprising: placing a first tether structure over a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process of a first spinal segment, wherein the first tether structure elastically couples the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process so as to limit flexion therebetween without substantially limiting extension thereof, wherein a first portion of the first tether structure extends between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process of the first spinal segment, and a second portion of the first tether structure extends between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process of the first spinal segment, the first and the second portions disposed symmetrically on opposite sides of the spinous processes, and substantially parallel to one another; and placing a second tether structure over a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process or a sacrum of a second spinal segment, the first spinal segment being adjacent and superior to the second spinal segment, wherein the second tether structure elastically couples the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process or the sacrum of the second spinal segment so as to limit flexion therebetween without substantially limiting extension thereof, wherein a first portion of the second tether structure extends between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process or the sacrum of the second spinal segment, and a second portion of the second tether structure extends between the superior spinous process and the inferior spinous process or the sacrum of the second spinal segment, the first and the second portions disposed symmetrically on opposite sides of the spinous processes, and substantially parallel to one another, and wherein one of the first or the second tether structures is positioned anteriorly relative to the other tether structure.