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 at least two facets located on a mammalian vertebra, comprising: 
 at least one bone contacting surface that is adapted to be secured to a surface of the vertebra;    at least two bearing surfaces for articulating with other facets, said at least two bearing surfaces being connected to said at least one bone contacting surface, said prosthesis being configured so that said at least two bearing surfaces are adapted to replace a pair of superior facets;    and wherein no portion of said prosthesis is supported by the lamina of the vertebra.    
     
     
         33 . A prosthesis for the replacement of at least two facets located on a mammalian vertebra, comprising: 
 at least one bone contacting surface that is adapted to be secured to a surface of the vertebra;    at least two bearing surfaces for articulating with other facets, said at least two bearing surfaces being connected to said at least one bone contacting surface, said prosthesis being configured so that said at least two bearing surfaces are adapted to replace an inferior facet and a superior facet;    and wherein no portion of said prosthesis is supported by the lamina of the vertebra.    
     
     
         34 . A prosthesis for the replacement of at least two facets located on a mammalian vertebra, comprising: 
 at least one bone contacting surface that is adapted to be secured to a surface of the vertebra;    at least two bearing surfaces for articulating with other facets, said at least two bearing surfaces being connected to said at least one bone contacting surface, said prosthesis being configured so that said at least two bearing surfaces are adapted to replace a pair of inferior facets and a pair of superior facets;    and wherein no portion of said prosthesis is supported by the lamina of the vertebra.    
     
     
         35 . A method for replacing facets on three or more vertebra, comprising the steps of: 
 resecting at least a bony portion of the inferior facets of a most superior vertebra;    attaching a first prosthesis that replaces said inferior facets of said most superior vertebra;    resecting at least a bony portion of the superior facets of a most inferior vertebra;    attaching a second prosthesis that replaces said superior facets of said most inferior vertebra;    resecting at least a bony portion of all of the facets of at least one intermediate vertebra located between said most superior vertebra and said most inferior vertebra;    wherein, for each of said at least one intermediate vertebra, a prosthesis is attached that replaces all facets of said intermediate vertebra.    
     
     
         36 . A spinal implant kit for the replacement of facets, said implant kit comprising: 
 one facet prosthesis adapted to replace two superior facets; one facet prosthesis adapted to replace two inferior facets, and    one facet prosthesis adapted to replace two superior facets and two inferior facets.