CRANIOSPINAL FUSION METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

A method for effecting reduction stabilization and enhancement of fusion of the human cranio-cervical junction, which may be performed in order to relieve mechanical stresses imparted to the spinal cord and brainstem as a result of an abnormal clivo-axial angle, includes steps of achieving the correct craniocervical relationship, of effecting a fusion of a first portion of a bone forming material based structural member (16, 18) to a human cranium, and effecting fusion of a second portion of the bone forming material based structural member (20, 22) to at least one portion of a human cervical spine (C1, C2). Fusion of the bone forming material based structural member (12, 14) to the human cranium may be promoted through the use of plate member (24) that is shaped to define a graft accommodation space (32) between the plate member and the cranium.