SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STABILIZING A FUNCTIONAL SPINAL UNIT

1 . A method of stabilizing a functional spinal unit defined by a pair of adjacent vertebrae and an intervertebral disc including an annulus surrounding a disc nucleus space therebetween, comprising:

inserting a first component configured for repairing or replacing a disc nucleus into the disc nucleus space, without substantially disrupting the annulus; and

attaching a second component to the adjacent vertebrae, the second component being configured to control movement of the vertebrae relative to one another;

wherein the first and second components are configured to cooperate simultaneously to control motion and collectively distribute physiologic load sharing across the functional spinal unit.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the functional spinal unit includes a posterior joint complex having at least one ligament connecting the adjacent vertebrae, and further wherein attaching a second component to the adjacent vertebrae includes:

re-tensioning the ligament; and

securing the re-tensioned ligament to the adjacent vertebrae with the second component.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of restoring or maintaining disc height with the first component.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of controlling flexion or extension with the second component.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of controlling lateral bending with the second component.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of controlling axial rotation with the second component.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of controlling compression with the second component.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second component is attached to a pedicle of at least one of the adjacent vertebrae.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second component is attached to a laminar surface of at least one of the adjacent vertebrae.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second component is configured to attach to a spinous process of at least one of the adjacent vertebrae.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second component comprises an interspinous stabilization device configured for attachment to the spinous processes of the adjacent vertebrae, and the step of attaching comprises inserting the second component between the spinous processes of the adjacent vertebrae.

12 . A method of stabilizing a functional spinal unit including superior and inferior vertebrae and an intervening intervertebral disc, the functional spinal unit defining an anterior region and a posterior region, wherein the disc provides an anterior joint complex and the vertebrae provide a posterior joint complex, the method comprising:

providing an functional spinal unit stabilization system including an anterior implant device and a posterior implant device;

implanting the anterior implant device at the anterior region such that the anterior implant device mimics natural functioning of the anterior joint complex; and

implanting the posterior implant device at the posterior region such that the posterior implant device mimics natural functioning of the posterior joint complex;

wherein upon implantation, a majority of a columnar load placed upon the functional spinal unit is distributed to, and supported by, the anterior joint complex.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein upon implantation, 51-90% of a columnar load placed upon the functional spinal unit is distributed to the anterior region and 10-49% of the columnar load is distributed to the posterior region.

14 . A method of making a system for stabilizing a functional spinal unit including superior and inferior vertebrae and an intervening intervertebral disc, the functional spinal unit defining an anterior region and a posterior region, wherein the disc provides an anterior joint complex and the vertebrae provide a posterior joint complex, the method comprising:

evaluating a pathology of the functional spinal unit; providing an anterior implant device for implantation at the anterior region and adapted to support natural functioning of the anterior joint complex at a level dictated by the evaluation; and

providing a posterior implant device for implantation at the posterior region and adapted to support natural functioning of the posterior joint complex at a level dictated by the evaluation, wherein the posterior implant device is configured to provide minimal compressive support such that upon final implant, a majority of a columnar placed upon the functional spinal unit is distributed onto the anterior joint complex.

15 . A method of stabilizing a functional spinal unit including superior and inferior vertebrae, an intervening intervertebral disc having an annulus surrounding a disc nucleus space, and ligamentous structures posteriorly connecting the vertebrae, the method comprising:

inserting a first component for restoring a height of the disc into the disc nucleus space, without substantially disrupting the annulus; and

re-tensioning at least one of the ligamentous structures such that the re-tensioning ligamentous structure controls movement of the adjacent vertebrae relative to one another;

wherein the first component and the re-tensioned ligament simultaneously cooperate to control movement and distribute physiologic load sharing across the functional spinal unit.