Stabilization of cervical spine utilizing stabilization of uncinate joints and across disc space

Abstract

A system for stabilizing a cervical spine segment utilizing uncinate joint stabilization, includes a stabilizing bridge for bridging across intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment to mechanically couple between a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers positioned in a respective pair of uncinate joints of the cervical spine segment. A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment utilizing uncinate joint stabilization includes (a) positioning a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers in respective uncinate joints of the cervical spine segment to stabilize the uncinate joints and thereby stabilize the cervical spine segment (b) and implanting, in intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment, a stabilizing bridge that mechanically couples between the uncinate joint stabilizers across intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment.

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