Rod reduction device

1. A rod reduction device, comprising:

a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having first and second arms extending distally therefrom, wherein distal ends of the arms are configured to releasably attach to a bone anchor; and

an anvil operatively associated with the first and second arms of the housing and translatable along the longitudinal axis for facilitating the insertion of a spinal rod into the bone anchor, the anvil including an anvil body and an anvil post, the anvil post extending distally from a distal end of the anvil body, the anvil post including a distal surface that is engageable with the spinal rod to urge the spinal rod into the bone anchor when the arms of the housing are attached to the bone anchor, the anvil post being positioned between the arms of the housing in spaced apart relationship with the arms such that a gap is defined between the anvil post and each of the arms;

wherein the anvil and each arm are positionable between a first position and at least one second position.

2. The rod reduction device of claim 1 , wherein the anvil includes first and second bores for receiving the first and second arms of the housing.

3. The rod reduction device of claim 1 , wherein the arms are substantially parallel to each other in at least one position.

4. The rod reduction device of claim 1 , wherein the distal ends of the arms include at least one grasping feature for engaging the bone anchor.

5. The rod reduction device of claim 1 , wherein the anvil is configured to position the arms to a parallel position upon moving the anvil a predetermined distance distally from the housing.

6. The rod reduction device of claim 1 , wherein the rod reduction device is configured to engage a driver that advances the rod reduction device and the bone anchor into bone.

7. The rod reduction device of claim 1 , further comprising a reduction screw that advances the anvil.

8. The rod reduction device of claim 7 , wherein the reduction screw includes an engaging spool disposed on the distal end thereof, wherein the engaging spool is disposed in mechanical cooperation with an anvil head.

9. The rod reduction device of claim 8 , wherein the anvil head is coupled to the engaging spool via at least one interconnecting pin.

10. The rod reduction device of claim 8 , further comprising a thrust bearing operatively associated with the engaging spool and the anvil head, the thrust bearing being disposed therebetween.

11. The rod reduction device of claim 8 , wherein the anvil head has a contoured surface.

12. The rod reduction device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second arms are hingedly connected to the housing.

13. A method for providing spinal support, comprising the steps of:

providing a rod reduction device, comprising:

a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having first and second arms extending distally therefrom, wherein distal ends of the arms are configured to releasably attach to a bone anchor; and

an anvil operatively associated with the first and second arms of the housing and translatable along the longitudinal axis for facilitating the insertion of a spinal rod into the bone anchor, the anvil including an anvil body and an anvil post, the anvil post extending distally from a distal end of the anvil body, the anvil post including a distal surface that is engageable with the spinal rod to urge the spinal rod into the bone anchor when the arms of the housing are attached to the bone anchor, the anvil post being positioned between the arms of the housing in spaced apart relationship with the arms such that a gap is defined between the anvil post and each of the arms;

wherein the anvil and each arm are positionable between a first position and at least one second position;

engaging the at least one rod with the distal surface of the anvil post;

reducing at least one rod into at least one bone anchor;

adjusting the at least one rod; and

locking the at least one rod to the bone anchor.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of:

mounting the at least one bone anchor and the at least one rod to at least one vertebral body.