Patent ID: 8267971

Claim:
A method of repositioning a spine by restoring a desired curvature to the spine and restoring a height to a damaged vertebra comprising the steps of: inserting a first end of a first chain into a vertebral body of a first vertebra, wherein the first vertebra is located cranially of a damaged vertebra, wherein the first chain includes a plurality of linked bodies; inserting a first end of a second chain into a vertebral body of a second vertebra, wherein the second vertebra is located caudally of the damaged vertebra, wherein the second chain includes a plurality of linked bodies; positioning at least one longitudinal fixation member along a longitudinal axis of the spine, the longitudinal fixation member including first and second slots, wherein the first slot is positioned superior to the second slot on the longitudinal fixation member; inserting a second end of the first chain thru the first slot formed in the longitudinal fixation member; inserting a second end of the second chain thru the second slot formed in the longitudinal fixation member; applying a tensioning force to the first and second chains to reposition the first and second vertebrae away from the damaged vertebra to thus restore curvature to the spine and to restore a height to the damaged vertebra; and securing the first and second chains to the longitudinal fixation member to maintain the desired spinal curvature.