A measurement tool is designed to measure the relative displacements
between two bony landmarks of a spine, such as pedicles and facet
surfaces. The measurement tool may have a registration interface designed
to be registered to a first bony landmark, and a contact feature shaped
to contact a second bony landmark. The registration interface may be
registered to a frame rigidly coupled relative to the first bony
landmark. The measurement tool also has a displacement structure that
permits motion of the contact feature relative to the registration
interface along multiple dimensions. The displacement structure may have
two or three sliding joints that enable relative translation along
orthogonal axes. Each sliding joint may have a rod with a plurality of
markings that can easily be read to acquire measurements from the
displacement structure.