Facet joint replacement
View Patent ↗A prosthesis for the replacement of at least a portion of the bone of a facet located on a mammalian vertebra, comprising: an articulating surface that articulates with another facet; a bone contacting surface that contacts a surface of the vertebra, the articulating surface being connected to the bone contacting surface; and a fixation element that attaches the bone contacting surface to the vertebra, the fixation element being adapted for implantation into an interior bone space of a pedicle of the vertebra; wherein the prosthesis is configured so that no portion of the prosthesis contacts the posterior arch of the vertebra.
1. A surgical method for replacing at least a portion of a facet comprising:
removing at least a portion of a facet joint including an inferior facet, a superior facet, or both facets to define at least one resection surface;
inserting a guide wire into a patient;
delivering an implant over the guide wire to a surgical site within the patient, wherein the implant comprises a fixation element and a connection feature;
driving the fixation element into a vertebra such that the connection feature is above the at least one resection surface;
securing an articulating prosthesis to the connection feature to replace the inferior facet, the superior facet, or both portions of the facets;
securing an additional prosthesis to the fixation element; and
securing a head member to the fixation element to force the articulating prosthesis and the additional prosthesis downward.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the articulating prosthesis comprises a superior facet prosthesis.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the articulating prosthesis comprises a blade or wing ear.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the articulating prosthesis comprises a bone apposition surface.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the articulating prosthesis comprises a superior facet prosthesis and the additional prosthesis comprises an inferior facet prosthesis.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using x-ray to confirm an alignment of the guide wire in the patient.
7. A surgical method comprising:
removing an inferior facet and a superior facet of a facet joint;
inserting a guide wire into a patient;
delivering an implant over the guide wire to a surgical site within the patient, wherein the implant comprises a fixation element;
driving the fixation element into a vertebra;
securing a first articulating prosthesis to the fixation element;
securing a second articulating prosthesis to the fixation element, wherein the first and second articulating prostheses replace the inferior facet and the superior facet of the facet joint; and
securing a head to the fixation element to tighten down the first articulating prosthesis and the second articulating prosthesis.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first articulating prosthesis comprises a superior facet prosthesis.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the superior facet prosthesis comprises a bone apposition surface and a flange with an opening for receiving the fixation element.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the second articulating prosthesis comprises an inferior facet prosthesis.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the inferior facet prosthesis comprises a longitudinal rod.
12. A surgical method comprising:
removing an inferior facet and a superior facet of a facet joint;
inserting a guide wire into a patient;
delivering an implant over the guide wire to a surgical site within the patient, wherein the implant comprises a fixation element, wherein the fixation element comprises a hexagonal surface to receive a driving member;
driving the fixation element into a vertebra;
securing a first articulating prosthesis to the fixation element;
securing a second articulating prosthesis to the fixation element, wherein the first and second articulating prostheses replace the inferior facet and the superior facet of the facet joint; and
securing a head to the fixation element to tighten down the first articulating prosthesis and the second articulating prosthesis.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first articulating prosthesis comprises a superior facet prosthesis.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the superior facet prosthesis comprises a bone apposition surface and a flange with an opening for receiving the fixation element.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second articulating prosthesis comprises an inferior facet prosthesis.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the inferior facet prosthesis comprises a longitudinal rod.