Patent ID: 8123752

Claim:
A method for strengthening a spinous process, comprising: positioning a framework over an outer surface of the spinous process, the framework comprising a mesh connected to a frame; distributing bone filler over the mesh so that the bone filler contacts the mesh and contacts the spinous process; allowing the bone filler to cure along the outer surface; positioning a jig at the spinous process over the mesh and bone filler so that a slot through the jig is exposed to a side of the spinous process; orienting a cannula so that the cannula is receivable in the slot; inserting the cannula into the spinous process through the slot; injecting bone filler into the spinous process by way of the cannula; terminating the injection when a desired amount of bone filler has been injected into the spinous process; removing the cannula from the spinous process; and allowing the bone filler to cure within the spinous process.