Facet arthroplasty devices and methods

Abstract

Devices and surgical methods treat various types of adult spinal pathologies, such as degenerative spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, degenerative lumbar scoliosis, and kypho-scoliosis. Various types of spinal joint replacement prostheses, surgical procedures for performing spinal joint replacements, and surgical instruments are used to perform the surgical procedures.

1 - 31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . A prosthesis for the replacement of a posterior element of a natural vertebra wherein the natural vertebra comprises: 
 a natural vertebral body, a pair of natural pedicles extending from the natural vertebral body, a natural lamina extending from the two natural pedicles, a pair of natural superior facets extending from the two natural pedicles and the natural lamina, a pair of natural inferior facets extending from the natural lamina, a natural spinous process extending from the natural lamina, and a pair of natural transverse processes extending from the two natural pedicles, said prosthesis comprising.    a pair of prosthetic mounts;    a prosthetic lamina extending from said two prosthetic mounts;    a pair of prosthetic superior facets extending from said two prosthetic mounts and said prosthetic lamina; and    a pair of prosthetic inferior facets extending from said prosthetic lamina.    
   
   
       33 . A method for replacing a posterior element of a natural vertebra, wherein the natural vertebra comprises a natural vertebral body, a pair of natural pedicles extending from the natural vertebral body, a natural lamina extending from the two natural pedicles, a pair of natural superior facets extending from the two natural pedicles and the natural lamina, a pair of natural inferior facets extending from the natural lamina, a natural spinous process extending from the natural lamina, and a pair of natural transverse processes extending from the two natural pedicles, said method comprising: 
 the steps of making a resection at the most dorsal aspect the two natural pedicles; and    attaching a prosthesis to the resected vertebra, said prosthesis comprising a pair of prosthetic mounts;    a prosthetic lamina extending from said two prosthetic mounts, a pair of prosthetic superior facets extending front said two prosthetic mounts and said prosthetic lamina; and    a pair of prosthetic inferior facets extending from said prosthetic lamina.