System and method for spinal correction

A spinal correction system for correcting a spinal deformity of a patient's spinal column, the spinal deformity defining a deformity section and including an upper deformity level and a lower deformity level, the patient's spinal column including a plurality of vertebrae, the spinal correction system comprising:

• a first rod adapted to extend longitudinally along a first side of the spine of the patient, the first rod having a length such that the first rod extends from the upper level of the spinal deformity to the lower level of the spinal deformity;
• and
• a plurality of rod anchors, wherein for each rod anchor of the plurality of rod anchors, the rod anchor includes a pivot point and is:
• secured to a vertebra of the patient's spine that is different from any vertebra to which any other rod anchor of the plurality of rod anchors is secured;
• and
• coupled to the first rod such that the first rod is secured against substantial lateral translation relative to the pivot point of the rod anchor while allowing the first rod to change alignment relative to the pivot points of each of the other rod anchors of the plurality of rod anchors.

A spinal correction system comprising:

• a first rod configured to extend along a first side of a spine;
• a first rod anchor configured to be secured to a vertebra of the spine and to laterally constrain the first rod while allowing the first rod to slide axially and to change in pitch, yaw, and roll about a first pivot point;
• a second rod anchor configured to be secured to a vertebra of the spine and to laterally constrain the first rod while allowing the first rod to slide axially and to change in pitch, yaw, and roll about a second pivot point;
• a second rod configured to extend along a second side of the spine;
• a third rod anchor configured to be secured to a vertebra of the spine and to laterally constrain the second rod while allowing the second rod to slide axially and to change in pitch, yaw, and roll about a third pivot point;
• a fourth rod anchor configured to be secured to a vertebra of the spine and to laterally constrain the second rod while allowing the second rod to slide axially and to change in pitch, yaw, and roll about a fourth pivot point;
• and
• a transverse coupler extending laterally between the first and second rods, the transverse coupler laterally constraining the first and second rods and preventing the first and second rods from changing in pitch, yaw, and roll relative to the transverse coupler.

A spinal correction system comprising:

• a rod configured to extend along a first side of a spine;
• a rod anchor configured to be secured to a first vertebra of the spine and to laterally constrain the first rod while allowing the first rod to slide axially and to change in pitch, yaw, and roll about a first pivot point;
• and
• a second rod anchor configured to be secured to a second vertebra of the spine and to laterally constrain the first rod and prevent the first rod from changing in at least pitch, yaw, and roll relative to the second rod anchor.

A method of correcting a spinal deformity of a patient's spinal column, the method comprising:

• securing a first rod anchor to a first vertebra of the patient's spine;
• securing a second rod anchor to a second vertebra of the patient's spine;
• coupling a first rod to the first rod anchor and the second rod anchor such that:
• the first rod is laterally constrained relative to the first rod anchor while being free to slide axially and to change in at least pitch, yaw, and roll relative to the first rod anchor;
• and
• the first rod is laterally constrained relative to the second rod anchor and is prevented from changing in at least pitch, yaw, and roll relative to the second rod anchor;
• securing a third rod anchor to a third vertebra of the patient's spine;
• securing a fourth rod anchor to a fourth vertebra of the patient's spine;
• and coupling a second rod to the third rod anchor and the fourth rod anchor such that:
• the second rod is laterally constrained relative to the third rod anchor while being free to slide axially and to change in at least pitch, yaw, and roll relative to the third rod anchor;
• the second rod is laterally constrained relative to the fourth rod anchor and is prevented from changing in at least pitch, yaw, and roll relative to the fourth rod anchor.