Patent ID: 8414624

Claim:
A method for providing spinal stabilization, comprising: modifying at least a portion of a first vertebra; placing a first fixation assembly within a first vertebra such that at least a portion of the first fixation assembly extends across the lamina of the first vertebra, the first fixation assembly having a distal portion configured to engage bone and a proximal portion configured to receive a stabilization element, wherein a majority of the distal portion of the first fixation assembly is positioned within the lamina of the first vertebra; modifying at least a portion of a second vertebra; placing a second fixation assembly within a second vertebra such that at least a portion of the second fixation assembly extends across the lamina of the second vertebra, the second fixation assembly having a distal portion configured to engage bone and a proximal portion configured to receive a stabilization element; and securing a first stabilization element within the receiving portion of each of the first and second fixation assemblies such that the stabilization element maintains a substantially parallel orientation relative to a midline of a patient's spinal column.