a spinous process reinforcement system extending generally along a first plane, the first plane adapted to be generally coplanar with a median plane of a first vertebra, the spinous process reinforcement system being configured to provide structural reinforcement to a spinous process of the first vertebra; and

a force exertion device coupled to the spinous process reinforcement system and extending generally along a longitudinal axis from the spinous process reinforcement system, the longitudinal axis intersecting the first plane at an oblique angle, the force exertion device having a connecting portion sufficiently spaced apart from the spinous process reinforcement system to allow the connecting portion to connect to a second vertebra at a location lateral to the first plane, the force exertion device being configured to exert a force between the spinous process and the second vertebra, the spinous process reinforcement system being configured to distribute the force applied by the force exertion device onto the spinous process of the first vertebra, the force exertion device comprising a first engaging surface and the spinous process reinforcement system comprising a second engaging surface wherein when deployed, the first engaging surface engages the second engaging surface to thereby indirectly engage the force exertion device with the spinous process.