Spinal rod translation instrument

A bone translation system, comprising:

• a holder configured to couple to a fixation element during use, wherein the holder comprises a protrusion and wherein the fixation element is configured to couple to a first bone;
• a connector coupled to the fixation element;
• an instrument configured to move a rod coupled to a second bone into the connector, the instrument comprising:
• positioners configured to couple the holder to the instrument;
• an arm configured to engage the spinal rod during use;
• and
• a guide on the arm, the guide configured to engage the protrusion of the holder.

An instrument for reducing a spinal rod to a spinal fixation element, comprising:

• positioners to engage a fixation element holder, wherein the positioners are configured to prevent the holder from rotating freely within the positioners during use;
• an arm configured to engage the spinal rod during use, the arm comprising a guide;
• two grips;
• biasing members configured to force the grips to an initial position;
• and
• a retainer configured to maintain a partially reduced offset between the spinal rod and the spinal rod connector;
• wherein moving the two grips towards each other moves the arm toward the holder, and wherein the guide on the arm has a length configured to contact a protrusion on the holder to align the spinal rod to a connector coupled to the spinal fixation element during use.

A rod translation system for moving a first bone closer to a second bone, comprising:

• a fixation element configured to couple to the first bone, the fixation element comprising a connector;
• a holder configured to couple to the fixation element, the holder comprising a holder guide;
• a rod configured to be coupled to the second bone;
• an instrument configured to slidably couple to the holder, the instrument comprising a movable arm, wherein the movable arm comprises an instrument guide and a rod engager;
• and
• wherein the holder guide is configured to engage the instrument guide to position the rod into the connector when the instrument is activated.

A method of reducing a spinal rod to a spinal fixation element, comprising:

• attaching a holder to the spinal fixation element;
• coupling the holder to an instrument;
• engaging the spinal rod with an arm of the instrument;
• aligning the spinal rod to a spinal rod connector coupled to the fixation element by contacting a guide on the arm with a protrusion on the holder;
• and
• reducing an offset between the spinal rod and the spinal rod connector.

A method of reducing a rod to a fixation element, comprising:

• attaching a holder to the fixation element;
• and
• slidably coupling the holder to an instrument;
• coupling a rod engager to a rod;
• activating the instrument to place the rod in a connector of the fixation element, wherein a portion of the holder engages a portion of the instrument to guide the rod into the connector.