Spinal stabilization systems supplemented with diagnostically opaque materials

A spinal stabilization system comprising pedicle screws, at least one spacer, and at least one cord, wherein:

• said pedicle screws and are configured to be implanted into vertebral pedicles of a patient's spine;
• said spacer is configured to be positioned between said pedicle screws implanted into said vertebral pedicles of said patient's spine so as to define at least a portion of a spacing between said pedicle screws;
• said spacer comprises a longitudinal axial channel and is constructed of a tensile material that provides a degree of flexibility sufficient to enable said spacer to compress with corresponding extension of said spine and a degree of tensile strength sufficient to provide supportive resistance to said spinal extension;
• said cord is configured to, and provided in a length sufficient to, pass through said longitudinal axial channel of said spacer;
• said cord is constructed of a tensile material that provides a degree of longitudinal elasticity that enables said cord to lengthen with said flexion of said spine and a degree of tensile strength sufficient to provide supportive resistance to said spinal flexion;
• said spacer or said cord or both comprise a material that is more diagnostically opaque relative to said tensile material;
• said diagnostically opaque material is provided in sufficient quantity to enable diagnostic recognition of said spacer or said cord or both;
• and
• said spacer or said cord or both comprise said diagnostically opaque material dispersed within, attached to, assembled as a discrete part of, embedded within, woven into, or coating external areas of said tensile material.

A spinal stabilization system comprising pedicle hardware and supplemental spinal stabilization hardware, wherein:

• said pedicle hardware is configured to be mechanically coupled to vertebral pedicles of a patient's spine;
• said supplemental spinal stabilization hardware is constructed of a tensile material and is configured to be mechanically responsive to corresponding extension and flexion of said spine;
• said supplemental spinal stabilization hardware comprises a material that is diagnostically opaque relative to said tensile material;
• and
• said diagnostically opaque material is provided in sufficient quantity to enable diagnostic recognition of said spacer or said cord.