Facet joint implant

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed for treating the facet joint. An implant for treating the facet joint is provided comprising a fixation plate having an access surface and a bone facing surface, a spacer configured to be inserted into the facet joint, and at least one hinge between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate. A method for treating a facet joint comprising a superior articular process and an inferior articular process is provided comprising the steps of implanting a spacer between the superior articular process and the inferior articular process, positioning a fixation plate over the facet joint, and securing the fixation plate to at least one of the superior articular process and the inferior articular process. Another method comprises the steps of providing an implant comprising a fixation plate having an access surface and a bone facing surface, a spacer, and at least one hinge between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate.

1 . An implant for treating the facet joint, comprising:
 a fixation plate having an access surface and a bone facing surface;   a spacer configured to be inserted into the facet joint; and   at least one hinge between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate.   
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is a disc. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the fixation plate has a plurality of holes. 
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer has a plurality of holes. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the fixation plate comprises an upper portion comprising at least one hole configured to accept a fixation device therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 7 , wherein the fixation plate comprises a lower portion comprising at least one hole configured to accept a fixation device therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hinge comprises a pair of hinges. 
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises a low profile configuration wherein the fixation plate is substantially parallel to an inferior surface of the spacer. 
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 10 , wherein the fixation plate is configured to rotate to a second configuration wherein the fixation plate is substantially perpendicular to a superior surface of the spacer. 
     
     
         12 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises at least one hole configured to accept a fixation device therethrough. 
     
     
         13 . The implant of  claim 12 , wherein the fixation plate is configured to be fastened to a superior articular process and the at least one hole in the spacer is configured to accept a fixation device for fastening to an inferior articular process. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for treating a facet joint comprising a superior articular process and an inferior articular process, comprising:
 implanting a spacer between the superior articular process and the inferior articular process;   positioning a fixation plate over the facet joint; and   securing the fixation plate to at least one of the superior articular process and the inferior articular process.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein positioning the fixation plate over the facet joint further comprises pivoting the fixation plate relative to the spacer about a hinge. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein securing the fixation plate further comprises inserting a fixation device through a hole in the fixation plate. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising inserting graft material into a hole in the spacer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising rotating the fixation plate to a low profile configuration wherein the fixation plate is substantially parallel to an inferior surface of the spacer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein positioning the fixation plate over the facet joint further comprises rotating the fixation plate to a position substantially perpendicular to a superior surface of the spacer. 
     
     
         21 . A method for treating a spine, comprising:
 providing an implant comprising a fixation plate having an access surface and a bone facing surface, a spacer, and at least one hinge between the spacer and the bone facing surface of the fixation plate;   inserting the spacer into an facet joint between a first vertebra and a second vertebra; and   attaching the fixation plate to the first vertebra.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising attaching the fixation plate to the second vertebra. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising attaching a second fixation plate to the second vertebra. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled)