Spinal implant
A spinal implant may be made of two or more implant members. In an embodiment, implant members may be joined together by a rotational connection that inhibits separation of the members as well as axial movement of the members relative to each other. Implant members may be coupled together by a pin or pins, adhesive, or other fasteners to inhibit separation and/or rotation of the members relative to each other.
1. A method, comprising:
inserting a modular tip of a distractor in a first disc space between two vertebrae;
rotating the modular tip in the first disc space to establish a separation distance between the two vertebrae;
decoupling the modular tip from a shaft of the distractor, leaving the modular tip in the first disc space;
inserting a first implant in a second disc space between the two vertebrae;
recoupling the shaft to the modular tip;
removing the distractor from the first disc space;
packing bone graft material in a space proximate the first implant; and
inserting a second implant in the first disc space between the two vertebrae.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bone graft material comprises cancellous bone.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second implant comprises a tapered anterior end to facilitate insertion between the two vertebrae.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the second implant forces the bone graft material between the second implant and the first implant.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the second implant forces the bone graft material between the second implant and remaining disc.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of removing portions of spinous process prior to inserting the first implant.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of removing osteophytes prior to inserting the first implant.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of distracting the distance between the two vertebrae.
9. A method, comprising:
positioning a modular tip of a distractor in a first disc space between two vertebrae;
rotating the modular tip in the first disc space to establish a separation distance between the two vertebrae;
decoupling the modular tip from a shaft of the distractor, leaving the modular tip in the first disc space;
removing portions of bone proximate a second disc space;
coupling a first implant to a first implant inserter;
positioning the first implant in the second disc space;
releasing the first implant from the first implant inserter;
recoupling the shaft to the modular tip; and
removing the distractor from the first disc space.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
removing portions of bone proximate the first disc space;
coupling a second implant to a second implant inserter;
positioning the second implant in the first disc space; and
releasing the second implant from the second implant inserter.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
removing portions of bone proximate the first disc space;
packing bone graft material in a space proximate the first implant;
coupling a second implant to a second implant inserter;
positioning the second implant in the first disc space; and
releasing the second implant from the second implant inserter.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the bone graft material comprises cancellous bone.
13. A method for stabilizing two adjacent vertebrae, comprising the steps of:
making an incision near the posterior side of two adjacent vertebrae;
removing disc material from a first side of a disc to form a first disc space;
inserting a modular tip of a distractor in the first disc space;
rotating the modular tip in the first disc space to establish a separation distance between the two adjacent vertebrae;
decoupling the modular tip from a shaft of the distractor, leaving the modular tip in the first disc space;
removing some portion of vertebral bone proximate the first disc space;
attaching a first implant to an inserter;
inserting the first implant in the first disc space with the inserter;
releasing the first implant from the inserter;
recoupling the shaft to the modular tip;
removing the distractor from the first disc space;
packing bone graft material proximate the first implant;
removing disc material from a second side of the disc to form a second disc space;
removing some portion of vertebral bone proximate the second disc space;
attaching a second implant to the inserter;
inserting the second implant in the second disc space with the inserter;
releasing the second implant from the inserter; and
packing bone graft material proximate the second implant.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the bone graft material comprises cancellous bone.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first implant and the second implant comprise a tapered anterior end to facilitate insertion between the two vertebrae.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein inserting the second implant forces the bone graft material between the second implant and the first implant.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein inserting the second implant forces the bone graft material between the second implant and remaining disc.
18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of removing portions of spinous process prior to inserting the first implant.
19. The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of removing osteophytes prior to inserting the first implant.
20. The method of claim 13 , further comprising rotating the distractor to remove the modular tip from the first disc space.