Patent ID: 8012187

Claim:
A technique for spinal surgery, comprising: accessing first and second vertebral elements in a surgical procedure; engaging at least one first loading member to the first vertebral element in the surgical procedure; engaging at least one second loading member to the second vertebral element in the surgical procedure; applying a distraction load between the first and second loading members to distract the first and second vertebral elements, wherein the first and second loading members are attached along one side of the first and second vertebral elements to correct a scoliotic curvature and wherein applying the distraction load includes: compressing a construct; positioning the compressed construct between the first and second loading members; attaching the compressed construct to the first and second loading members to post-operatively distract the first and second loading members with the construct; and maintaining the distraction load on the first and second loading members with the construct after the surgical procedure is completed.