Method and apparatus for spine joint replacement

1. A spinal joint kit for replacement of a portion of a mammalian spine comprising a spinal motion segment comprising an intervertebral disc between two consecutive vertebrae, the kit comprising:

an artificial disc adapted to be incorporated into the spinal motion segment, the artificial disc comprising opposing end plates, wherein the end plates are movable relative to each other; and

a prosthesis, wherein the prosthesis is discrete from the artificial disc and is adapted to be incorporated into the spinal motion segment, the prosthesis comprising an articular surface that replicates a natural articular surface of a vertebral facet;

wherein, when the artificial disc and the prosthesis are operatively connected to the spinal motion segment, the artificial disc restores articulation between vertebral bodies of the vertebrae, the prosthesis articulates with another facet, no portion of the prosthesis contacts a posterior arch of the vertebrae, and the artificial disc and the prosthesis cooperate to restore natural biomechanics of the spinal motion segment.

2. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the artificial disc comprises articulating structure disposed between the end plates.

3. The kit of claim 2 , wherein the articulating structure comprises a rounded recess in a first of the end plates and a rounded protrusion extending from a second of the end plates and engaged in the recess.

4. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the artificial disc comprises a deformable structure disposed between the end plates, wherein the deformable structure is selected from the group consisting of an elastomeric body and a polymer body.

5. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the prosthesis comprises:

a fixation portion that is implantable into an interior bone space of the vertebrae, the articular surface being connected to the fixation portion.

6. The kit of claim 5 , wherein the fixation portion is adapted to be fitted into an interior bone space of a pedicle.

7. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the prosthesis comprises:

a bone-contacting surface that contacts one of an exterior surface of the vertebrae and a resected surface of the vertebrae, the articular surface being connected to the bone-contacting surface; and

a fixation element that attaches the bone-contacting surface to the vertebra.

8. A spinal joint kit for replacement of a portion of a mammalian spine comprising a spinal motion segment comprising an intervertebral disc between two consecutive vertebrae, the kit comprising:

an artificial disc adapted to be incorporated into the spinal motion segment, the artificial disc comprising opposing end plates, wherein the end plates are movable relative to each other;

a first prosthesis, wherein the first prosthesis is configured to replace at least one superior facet of an inferior one of the vertebrae and is adapted to be incorporated into the spinal motion segment, the first prosthesis comprising a first articular surface that replicates a natural articular surface of a superior facet; and

a second prosthesis, wherein the second prosthesis is configured to replace at least one inferior facet of a superior one of the vertebrae and is adapted to be incorporated into the spinal motion segment, the second prosthesis comprising a second articular surface that replicates a natural articular surface of an inferior facet, the inferior facet forming a joint with the superior facet;

wherein, when the artificial disc and the first and second prostheses are operatively connected to the spinal motion segment, the artificial disc restores articulation between vertebral bodies of the vertebrae, the first prosthesis articulates with the second prosthesis, no portion of the first and second prostheses contacts a posterior arch of the vertebrae, and the artificial disc and the first and second prostheses cooperate to restore natural biomechanics of the spinal motion segment.

9. The kit of claim 8 , wherein the artificial disc comprises articulating structure disposed between the end plates.

10. The kit of claim 9 , wherein the articulating structure comprises a rounded recess in a first of the end plates and a rounded protrusion extending from a second of the end plates and engaged in the recess.

11. The kit of claim 8 , wherein the artificial disc comprises a deformable structure disposed between the end plates, wherein the deformable structure is selected from the group consisting of an elastomeric body and a polymer body.

12. The kit of claim 8 , wherein the prosthesis is substantially duplicative of at least a portion of a facet of the vertebra.

13. The kit of claim 8 , wherein the first prosthesis comprises:

a first fixation portion that is implantable into an interior bone space of the first vertebra, the first articular surface being connected to the first fixation portion;

wherein the second prosthesis comprises:

a second fixation portion that is implantable into an interior bone of the second vertebra, the second articular surface being connected to the second fixation portion.

14. The kit of claim 13 , wherein each of the first and second fixation portions is adapted to be fitted into an interior bone space of a pedicle.

15. The kit of claim 8 , wherein the first prosthesis comprises:

a first bone-contacting surface that contacts one of an exterior surface of the first vertebra and a resected surface of the first vertebra, the first articular surface being connected to the first bone-contacting surface; and

a first fixation element that attaches the first bone-contacting surface to the first vertebra;

wherein the first prosthesis is configured so that no portion of the first prosthesis contacts a posterior arch of the first vertebra;

wherein the second prosthesis comprises:

a first bone-contacting surface that contacts one of an exterior surface of the first vertebra and a resected surface of the first vertebra, the first articular surface being connected to the first bone-contacting surface; and

a first fixation element that attaches the first bone-contacting surface to the first vertebra;

wherein the first prosthesis is configured so that no portion of the first prosthesis contacts a posterior arch of the first vertebra.