An apparatus (60) and method for distracting, in a given direction, and supporting two tissue surfaces is provided. A plurality of wafers (S) are consecutively inserted using a wafer insertion apparatus (60) between the two tissue surfaces to create a column of wafers (S). A detachable wafer assembly (300) is provided that includes a base wafer (332) initially associated with a track assembly (302) of a wafer insertion apparatus (60). The base wafer (332) is dislodged from the track assembly (302) so that the base wafer (332) is left within the distraction site as the track assembly (302) is removed. A top cap wafer (340) is provided that is situated at the top of the wafer (S) stack, in which the top cap wafer (340) is larger than the remaining wafers (S) to form a gap surrounding the stack to receive biologic material (C).
