Iliac anchor system and method

1 . A method for implanting a spinal support system in a patient with components from a kit of components including an orthopedic anchoring system, said orthopedic anchoring system including an orthopedic fastener, a mounting receiver, and a support rod receptacle; and instructions for implanting said orthopedic anchoring system, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning said mounting receiver on the patient's ilium and proximate an iliac crest of the patient;

passing said orthopedic fastener through said ilium;

coupling a driver assembly having an outer sleeve to a proximal end portion of said orthopedic fastener to engage said orthopedic fastener for rotating said orthopedic fastener; and

coupling said orthopedic fastener to said mounting receiver.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said method includes drawing said mounting receiver against said ilium with said orthopedic fastener.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said method comprises:

coupling a tool to a socket of said mounting receiver; and

holding said mounting receiver in a desired position and orientation with said tool for the step of coupling said orthopedic fastener to said mounting receiver.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said method comprises forming a bore through said ilium.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said bore formed in the step of forming said bore is performed with said orthopedic fastener driven through said pilot hole.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said method comprises forming a pilot hole that passes through said ilium.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein said method comprises inserting a guide wire through said pilot hole.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said method comprises sliding said orthopedic fastener over said guide wire to engage said pilot hole.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said kit includes one or more components of a guide tower, a tool, a driver assembly, a pilot hole drill, and a guide wire.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of passing said orthopedic fastener through said ilium comprises passing said orthopedic fastener through said ilium from one of a lateral approach and a posterolateral approach.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of positioning said mounting receiver on said ilium comprises positioning said mounting receiver on said ilium from a superior posterior approach.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of coupling said orthopedic fastener to said mounting receiver further comprises the step of passing a guide wire through said ilium to position and align said orthopedic fastener with said mounting receiver.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the alignment of said orthopedic fastener and said mounting receiver provides locking said orthopedic fastener and said mounting receiver to a predetermined force determined by rotating said orthopedic fastener.

14 . A method for implanting a spinal support system in a patient with components from a kit of components including an orthopedic anchoring system, said orthopedic anchoring system including an orthopedic fastener, a mounting receiver, and a support rod receptacle; and instructions for implanting said orthopedic anchoring system, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning said mounting receiver on an ilium and proximate an iliac crest of the patient;

passing said orthopedic fastener through said ilium;

coupling a driver assembly to said orthopedic fastener and

coupling said orthopedic fastener to said mounting receiver;

wherein said the step of coupling said driver assembly to said orthopedic fastener comprises coupling an outer sleeve to a proximal end portion of said orthopedic fastener; and translating a drive shaft axially through said sleeve to engage said orthopedic fastener for rotating said orthopedic fastener.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of coupling said outer sleeve comprises threadably coupling said outer sleeve to said proximal end portion.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of coupling said driver assembly to said orthopedic fastener comprises seating said shaft within a socket defined at said proximal end portion of said orthopedic fastener.

17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of coupling said orthopedic fastener to said mounting receiver further comprises the step of passing a guide wire through said ilium to position and align said orthopedic fastener with said mounting receiver.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the alignment of said orthopedic fastener and said mounting receiving provides locking said orthopedic fastener and said mounting receiver to a predetermined force determined by rotating said orthopedic fastener.