ARTIFICIAL SPINAL DISC

摘要

An artificial disc prosthesis is provided. The prosthesis includes first and second end plates and a nucleus. Each end plate may have one or more rows of keels for fixation to vertebral bodies. The nucleus may engage a slot or trough in an inner surface of an end plate. The trough can be open on the posterior or anterior end to allow the nucleus to slide into the trough without undue distraction of adjacent vertebrae. The nucleus can be prevented from moving out of the trough by inserting a stop in the trough.