Surgical tool and method to reduce vertebral displacement

Abstract

A surgical tool and method for reducing vertebral displacement between two adjacent vertebrae wherein the present tool includes a posterior compression member having a foot portion associated with one end portion thereof for selectively engaging one of the adjacent vertebrae, an anterior compression member positionable over the posterior member and having a foot portion associated with one end portion thereof for selectively engaging the other of the adjacent vertebrae, a compression nut member engagable with the posterior member for tightening against the anterior compression member, and a handle member engagable with the nut member. Using an anterior or intra-abdominal surgical approach, the present tool is inserted between the adjacent displaced vertebrae such that the foot portion associated with the posterior compression member engages the posterior vertebral margin of one of the adjacent vertebrae and the foot portion associated with the anterior compression member engages the anterior vertebral margin of the other adjacent vertebrae. With the nut member and handle member properly positioned and engaged, rotation of the handle member will cause the nut member to tighten against the anterior compression member thereby causing relative movement between the two respective flange portions and thereby effecting reduction of the vertebral displacement.