Facet joint augmentation with hydrogels

1. A method for augmenting a facet joint, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) exposing the posterior aspects of a spinal motion segment in a first incision;

(b) preparing an access path through a separate postero-lateral percutaneous incision using a drilling instrument that traverses through at least a portion of the lamina and an inferior facet articulation surface, and terminates within the facet joint gap;

(c) inserting an injection instrument through the access path;

(d) injecting augmentation filler into the facet joint gap in a liquid state;

(e) removing the injection instrument; and

(f) inserting a sealing material through the access path such that the terminal end of the sealing material is positioned generally coplanar with the inferior facet articulation surface.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the augmentation filler is selected from the group comprised of hydrogels, ionomers, silicones or thermoplastic resins.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) further comprises the step of:

(d1) utilizing an image intensifier tool to enable proper insertion of the injection instrument.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the sealing material is a bone plug.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the bone plug is selected from the group consisting of allograft bone, hydroxyapatite or tri-calcium phosphate.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the bone plug is cylindrical in shape and has a similar diameter to the diameter of the access path.

7. The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of:

(g) pressurizing the augmentation filler of step (d) by the insertion of the sealing material of step (f).

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the injection instrument contains a blunt tip at its distal end.

9. A method for augmenting a facet joint, comprising the steps of:

(a) creating a first incision in a patient's back that exposes the posterior aspects of a spinal motion segment;

(b) creating a separate postero-lateral percutaneous incision to allow insertion of a drilling instrument;

(c) preparing an access path through the separate postero-lateral percutaneous incision using the drilling instrument which access path traverses through at least a portion of the lamina and an inferior facet articulation surface, and terminates within the facet joint gap;

(d) inserting an injection instrument with augmentation filler through the access path;

(e) injecting the augmentation filler into the facet joint gap;

(f) removing the injection instrument; and

(g) inserting a sealing member through the access path such that the sealing member maintains pressure on the augmentation filler.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the augmentation filler is selected from the group comprised of hydrogels, ionomers, silicones or thermoplastic resins.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein step (d) further comprises the step of: (d1) utilizing an image intensifier tool to enable proper insertion of the injection instrument.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the sealing material is a bone plug.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the bone plug is selected from the group consisting of allograft bone, hydroxyapatite or tri-calcium phosphate.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the bone plug is cylindrical in shape and has a similar diameter to the diameter of the access path.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the injection instrument contains a blunt tip at its distal end.