Apparatus and method for direct vertebral rotation

A method of direct vertebral rotation comprising:

• attaching pedicle screws to at least two vertebrae to be aligned;
• attaching a lever to each of the pedicle screws, each of the levers having a distal end;
• positioning the levers between jaws of a direct vertebral rotation instrument, the direct vertebral rotation instrument having a closed position in which the jaws are substantially parallel to one another and extend along an axis;
• rotating the vertebrae to be aligned relative to each other by bringing the jaws together towards the closed position, whereby the jaws force the distal ends of the levers to move from an offset position into an aligned position, wherein the distal ends deviate from alignment along the axis of the direct vertebral rotation instrument in the offset position, and the distal ends lie along the axis of the direct vertebral rotation instrument in the aligned position, and wherein each of the jaws includes an inner portion facing towards the other of the jaws, the inner portion including a compliant material configured to conform to at least a portion of the levers when the jaws are in the closed position;
• and
• collectively rotating the vertebrae to be aligned relative to adjacent spinal segments by rotating the direct vertebral rotation instrument while the jaws are in the closed position.