Method for the correction of spinal deformities through vertebral body tethering without fusion

A method of treating a spinal curvature having a convex side and a concave side, comprising:

• providing a tether at least partially formed of a shape-memory material;
• attaching the tether to at least two vertebral bodies;
• and
• constraining curve progression along the convex side of the spinal curvature without application of a substantial external corrective force.

A method of treating a spinal curvature having a convex side and a concave side, comprising:

• providing a tether at least partially formed of a shape-memory material;
• attaching the tether to at least two vertebral bodies;
• and
• constraining curve progression along the convex side of the spinal curvature;
• and
• wherein the tether comprises at least one staple and the attaching comprises inserting the staple into the at least two vertebral bodies along the convex side of the spinal curvature.

A method of treating a spinal curvature having a convex side and a concave side, comprising:

• providing a tether at least partially formed of a shape-memory material;
• attaching the tether to at least two vertebral bodies;
• and
• constraining curve progression along the convex side of the spinal curvature;
• wherein the tether comprises at least one staple, the staple including a first prong, a second prong, and a connector portion interconnecting the first and second prongs, the shape-memory material being transitionable between a deformed state and a memorized state, the first and second prongs being disposed closer to one another in the memorized state than in the deformed state;
• and
• wherein the attaching comprises inserting the staple into the at least two vertebral bodies when in the deformed state and transitioning the shape-memory material toward the memorized state.

A method of treating a spinal curvature having a convex side and a concave side, comprising:

• providing a tether at least partially formed of a shape-memory material;
• attaching the tether to at least two vertebral bodies;
• and
• constraining curve progression along the convex side of the spinal curvature;
• wherein the tether comprises at least one staple, the staple including a first prong, a second prong, and a connector portion interconnecting the first and second prongs, the connector portion being at least partially formed of the shape-memory material, the shape-memory material exhibiting superelastic characteristics at about body temperature to flexibly constrain curve progression along the convex side of the spinal curvature.

A method of treating a spinal curvature having a convex side and a concave side, comprising:

• providing a tether at least partially formed of a shape-memory material;
• attaching the tether to at least two vertebral bodies;
• and
• constraining curve progression along the convex side of the spinal curvature;
• wherein the shape-memory material exhibits superelastic characteristics at about body temperature to flexibly constrain curve progression along the convex side of the spinal curvature.