Facet arthroplasty devices and methods
Surgically installed prostheses replace either the caudal portion of a natural facet joint, the cephalad portion of a natural facet joint, or both. The prostheses are readily attached to the pedicles of a vertebral body and support at least one element that defines an artificial facet joint structure. The caudal facet joint structure is sized and located to articulate with the cephalad facet joint structure. Together, the prostheses form a total facet replacement system. The system is suitable for use in virtually all levels of the spine.
1 . A facet joint prosthesis to replace, on a vertebral body, a cephalad portion of a natural facet joint, the prosthesis comprising a component sized to be fixed to the vertebral body and including an artificial facet joint structure adapted to replace the cephalad portion of the natural facet joint after removal of the cephalad portion of the natural facet joint from the vertebral body.