ARTIFICIAL SPINAL DISC, INSERTION TOOL, AND METHOD OF INSERTION

摘要

An artificial spinal disc is provided for unilateral insertion from the posterior side of the patient and includes a pair of plate members with a bearing associated with one plate member and a depression associated with the other for permitting limited flexibility of patient movement. An outrigger is provided which includes rods extending through the pedicles on one side of each of two adjacent vertebrae and posts connected to the rods which provide an artificial facet joint. A method of insertion of the artificial spinal disc hereof includes cutting channels for receiving longitudinally extending ribs on the plate members and removing the natural facet joint in order to permit insertion of the artificial spinal disc. A tool for insertion of the artificial spinal disc acts as a drill guide for creating a passage through the pedicles.