Methods and devices for spinal correction

Abstract

An expandable trial can include an inferior portion, a superior portion, and a middle expanding portion as well as load cells for monitoring the load on the trial. The trial may also include recesses on its lateral sides to provide spacing to accommodate a disc removal tool so tissue can be cleared monitoring load. In addition, neural foramen spacing can be monitoring to provide information about how much neural release has been achieved as the disc is cleaned and the spine is positioned and repositioned.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates to spinal orthopedic methods and spinal orthopedic systems including expandable trial implants, and techniques for monitoring the amount of nerve clearance achieved and optionally the amount of intervertebral disc space distraction and forces on vertebral endplates. Background technique [0002] The human spine is a series of bony vertebrae separated by flexible disks called "discs." The intervertebral disc contains a compressible, flexible jelly-like center called the nucleus pulposus. This flexibility allows the spine to bend and twist. The annulus is a tougher fibrous material that surrounds and contains the nucleus pulposus, which might otherwise be squeezed out into other parts of the body. [0003] The human skeleton provides the architectural structure of the human body. The human spine not only provides the mechanical structure for supporting the body's weight, but it also provides passage for the "meridians" o...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, neuromonitoring will not determine whether the process has built enough "space" (called nerve release) to relieve compression on the nerve

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