A device and method for anterior atlantoaxial stabilization may include one or more plates having a plurality of openings for receiving screws configured to screw into one or more C1 articular pillars, one or more C2 articular pillars, and the C2 body. A third cross-linking member may couple to first and second plates to provide additional rigidity and/or resistance to rotational forces. The cross-link member may be separate from one or both of the other plates. Alternatively, the cross-link member may be coupled, releasably or otherwise, to one or more of the other plates. Still further, one or more plates may be joined, e.g., via a single screw passing through openings in both plates or by making the device a unitary structure with a single, shared hole for the plates. One or more plates also may deviate from a substantially planar structure to better operatively engage the spinal features.
