Methods for correcting spinal deformities

Abstract

The present application discloses methods for treating spinal deformities. One embodiment includes inserting an elongated corrective member into the patient. During insertion, the corrective member is operatively attached to a first vertebral member that applies a first corrective force to correct a first vertebral member alignment. The corrective member is further inserted into the patient and subsequently operatively attached to a second vertebral member that applies a second corrective force to correct a second vertebral member alignment. The corrective member is further inserted and subsequently operatively attached to a third vertebral member that applies a third corrective force to correct a third vertebral member alignment. The embodiment may further include operatively attaching the corrective member to additional vertebral members to correct further misalignment. In one embodiment, a second member is attached to the vertebral members after they have been aligned to maintain the alignment.

1 . A method of treating a patient with a spinal deformity comprising the steps of:
 inserting an elongated corrective member into the patient;   moving the corrective member through a first anchor attached to a first vertebral member;   further inserting the corrective member into the patient and moving the corrective member through a second anchor attached to a second vertebral member and applying a first corrective force to align the second vertebral member with the first vertebral member; and   further inserting the corrective member into the patient and moving the corrective member through a third anchor attached to a third vertebral member and applying a second corrective force to align the third vertebral member with the first and second vertebral members.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising attaching the anchors at a common position to each of the first, second, and third vertebral members prior to inserting the corrective member. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps of moving the correcting member through the second and third anchors comprises laterally moving the corrective member and rotating the corrective member within the patient. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of moving the corrective member through the second anchor comprises moving the corrective member through a window formed between the second anchor and an extender. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising reducing a size of the window to apply the first corrective force to the second vertebral member. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of applying the first corrective force to align the second vertebral member with the first vertebral member causes translation and rotation of the second vertebral member. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting a second member into the patient after aligning the vertebral members and attaching the second member to the vertebral members to maintain the alignment. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing the corrective member from the patient after aligning the vertebral members. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of inserting the elongated corrective member into the patient is performed percutaneously. 
   
   
       10 . A method of treating a patient with a spinal deformity comprising the steps of:
 inserting an elongated corrective member into the patient;   operatively attaching the corrective member to a first vertebral member and applying a first corrective force to correct a first vertebral member alignment;   subsequently operatively attaching the corrective member to a second vertebral member and applying a second corrective force to correct a second vertebral member alignment; and   subsequently operatively attaching the corrective member to a third vertebral member and applying a third corrective force to correct a third vertebral member alignment.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of correcting the first, second, and third vertebral member alignment includes applying a rotational force to at least one of the vertebral members. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of correcting the first, second, and third vertebral member alignment includes applying a translational force to at least one of the vertebral members. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of percutaneously inserting the corrective member into the patient comprises rotating the corrective member. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of percutaneously inserting the corrective member into the patient comprises laterally moving the corrective member. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , further including attaching a second member to the vertebral members after applying the third corrective force to correct the third vertebral member alignment. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising attaching an anchor to each of the vertebral members prior to percutaneously inserting the corrective member. 
   
   
       17 . A method of treating a patient with a spinal deformity comprising the steps of:
 inserting an elonated corrective member into the patient; and   sequentially attaching the corrective member to a plurality of vertebral members forming a spinal segment and aligning the vertebral members by applying a different corrective force to each of the vertebral members.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising rotating at least one of the plurality of vertebral members. 
   
   
       19 . A method of treating a patient with a spinal deformity comprising the steps of:
 inserting an elongated corrective member into the patient;   applying a first corrective force to a first vertebral member by moving the corrective member through a first anchor attached to the first vertebral member;   applying a second corrective force to a second vertebral member by moving the corrective member through a second anchor attached to the second vertebral member;   applying a third corrective force to a third vertebral member by moving the corrective member through a third anchor attached to the third vertebral member;   after applying the third corrective force, inserting a second member into the patient and attaching the second member to each of the vertebral members to maintain a corrected alignment of the vertebral members.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising removing the corrective member from the patient after attaching the second member to each of the vertebral members. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising moving the corrective member through a window formed between the first anchor and an extender attached to the first anchor. 
   
   
       22 . A method of treating a patient with a spinal deformity comprising the steps of:
 inserting an elongated corrective member into the patient;   applying a first corrective force at a first spinal level by inserting the corrective rod a first amount and moving the corrective member along a first spinal segment;   applying a second corrective force at a second spinal level by inserting the corrective rod a second amount and moving the corrective member along a second spinal segment; and   applying a third corrective force at a third spinal level by inserting the corrective rod a third amount and moving the corrective member along a third spinal segment;   wherein each of the first, second, and third corrective forces are different.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising attaching the corrective rod to at least one vertebral member within each of the first, second, and third spinal segments.