Apparatus for aligning a spinal column having damaged vertebrae

Claim 1

Apparatus for straightening a spinal column having damaged vertebrae comprising two spaced support bolts inserted into the vertebrae on opposite sides of the damaged vertebrae, extension rods detachably connected to said support bolts to extend in axial alignment therefrom away from the vertebrae, a sleeve mounted on each said rod remote from the respective said support bolts, an arm for each rod, means connecting each arm to its respective rod via the associated sleeve to provide angular adjustment of the arm relative to the rod about two mutually perpendicular axes, a guide shaft remote from said bolts and said vertebrae, said arms respectively having ends distant from said sleeves, said end of one of the arms being fixed to said guide shaft while said end of the other of the arms is displaceable on said guide shaft axially thereof to permit relative adjustment of said arms and thereby of said rods and said support bolts to effect alignment of the spinal column, and turnbuckle means connected to said support bolts proximate the vertebrae to extend perpendicularly thereof, said turnbuckle means being adjustable in length for applying blocking force on said bolts to stabilize the position thereof produced by the relative adjustment of the arms on said guide shaft.