Surgical tether apparatus and methods of use

Abstract

A spinal treatment system includes a constraint device having an upper tether portion, a lower tether portion and a compliance member coupled therebetween. The upper tether portion is coupled with a superior spinous process of a spinal segment in a patient and the lower tether portion is coupled with an inferior spinous process or sacrum of the spinal segment. The length or tension in the constraint device is adjustable so that the construct of the tether portions and the compliance member provides a force resistant to flexion of the spinal segment. The system also includes a first prosthesis coupled with the spinal segment, wherein the constraint device modulates loads borne by the prosthesis or by tissue adjacent thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical method for treating a spinal segment in a patient, said method comprising:
 engaging a first prosthesis with at least a portion of the spinal segment;   engaging an upper portion of a constraint device with a superior spinous process and engaging a lower portion of the constraint device with an inferior spinous process or a sacrum; and   adjusting a length or a tension in the constraint device so that the constraint device provides a force resistant to flexion of the spinal segment, and   wherein the constraint device modulates loads borne by the first prosthesis or tissue adjacent thereto.   
     
     
         2 . A spinal treatment system for resisting flexion in a spinal segment of a patient, said system comprising:
 a constraint device having an upper tether portion, a lower tether portion and a compliance member coupled therebetween, wherein the upper and lower tether portions are configured to be coupled to a spinous process or a sacrum, and   wherein the constraint device provides a force resistant to flexion of the spinal segment.