Systems and methods for treating spinal conditions

An implantable spinal device for decompressing a spine of a patient, the device comprising:

• first and second bone anchors configured for securing to first and second adjacent vertebral bodies, wherein the first bone anchor comprises a first rod with an internal channel and the second bone anchor comprises a second rod configured to extend into the internal channel of the first rod, wherein the second rod is movable relative to the first rod to move the first and second bone anchors towards and away from each other;
• a dynamic force element extendible between the first and second bone anchors and configured to lengthen over time to distract the vertebral column and at least partially decompress a target portion of the vertebral column, wherein the dynamic force element comprises an elastic band coupling the first rod with the second rod, wherein each of the first and second rods comprises a projection extending transversely from the first and second rods and the elastic band is wrapped around each of the projections to elastically couple the first bone anchor to the second bone anchor;
• and
• a spring disposed within the first rod and in contact with the projection on the second rod and being configured to urge the first bone anchor away from the second bone anchor.