Sacral tether anchor and methods of use

Abstract

A system for restricting flexion of a spinal segment in a patient comprises a constraint device having a tether structure and a compliance member coupled with the tether structure. The tether structure is adapted to be coupled with a superior spinous process and a sacrum. The system also includes an anchor member that is anchored to the sacrum. The anchor member has an attachment feature that is adapted to couple with the constraint device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for restricting flexion of a spinal segment of a patient, said method comprising:
 providing a constraint device having a tether structure, the tether structure comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the tether structure configured to restrict flexion of the spinal segment;   coupling the upper portion of the tether structure to a spinous process of a superior vertebra in the spinal segment;   anchoring an anchor element to a sacrum of the patient inferior to the superior vertebra, wherein the anchor element comprises a plate having a plurality of protrusions, the plurality of protrusions configured to penetrate the sacrum; and   coupling the lower portion of the tether structure to an attachment feature on the anchor element.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein anchoring the anchor comprises nailing the plurality of protrusions into the sacrum.