Method of repairing a bone joint

Abstract

A method of repairing a bone joint by using a simple and flexible artificial ligament which easily conforms to a patient's anatomy and can be used independently or in combination with an intervertebral graft, implant or prosthesis to return stability to the spine subsequent to a surgical spine procedure, is disclosed. The method includes anchoring the artificial ligament to at least two vertebrae to aid in restoring stability to the compromised joint. The artificial ligament is also disclosed.

1 . A method of repairing a joint formed by at least two bone sections, said method comprising: 
 positioning a flexible body having a first end with at least two slotted apertures extending therethrough and a second end with at least two slotted apertures extending therethrough, across said joint such that said first and second ends are, respectively, aligned with one of said at least two bone sections; and    anchoring said first and second ends, respectively, to one of said at least two bone sections to facilitate flexible movement between said at least two bone sections.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least two bone sections are vertebrae.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 anchoring an intermediate portion of said flexible body to an intermediate bone section located between said at least two bone sections to which said first and second ends are anchored.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 forming at least one anchoring bore on said flexible body at said intermediate portion to facilitate anchoring said flexible body to said intermediate bone section.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible body is anchored to said at least two bone sections in a manner allowing controlled relative movement between said body and said at least two bone sections.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein anchoring is achieved with bone screws.  
   
   
       7 . A method of repairing a joint formed by at least a first and a second bone section, said method comprising: 
 positioning a flexible body having a first end and a second end across said joint such that said first and second ends are, respectively, aligned with said first and second bone sections;    determining first and second end anchor positions on said first and second bone sections, respectively;    forming first and second anchoring bores on said flexible body at positions corresponding, respectively, to said first and second anchor positions; and    anchoring said first and second ends at said first and second anchoring bores, respectively, to said first and second bone sections to facilitate flexible movement between said first and second bone sections.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 determining at least one intermediate anchoring position between said first and second bone sections;    forming at least one intermediate anchoring bore on said flexible body at a position corresponding to said at least one intermediate anchoring position; and    anchoring said flexible body to a structure at said at least one intermediate anchoring position.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein anchoring is achieved with bone screws.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein anchoring is achieved with bone screws.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said bone sections are vertebrae.