Implant inserter having a laterally-extending dovetail engagement feature

1. A method of inserting a screw into a fusion cage, comprising the step of:

i) attaching a screw head of a bone screw to a flexible bone screw driver comprising:

a) a proximal handle,

b) an intermediate shaft,

c) a flexible distal end portion comprising a plurality of interlocking segments portion defining a periphery and a distal tip adapted to engage the screw head, and

d) a flexible pre-bent sleeve that is configured to be placed radially over and around the plurality of interlocking segments to provide a loaded configuration,

wherein the plurality of interlocking segments portion is substantially straight in its unloaded configuration,

whereby the pre-bent sleeve pre-determines the trajectory of the tip in the loaded configuration,

ii) inserting the bone screw into a threaded throughhole of a fusion cage comprising a front wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a back wall, and top and bottom surfaces adapted for gripping opposed vertebral endplates, wherein the front wall comprises the threaded throughhole.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sleeve substantially contacts at least one-half of the periphery of the plurality of interlocking segments portion.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the sleeve is adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis during torque transmission when the distal tip is received in a proximal head of an implanted bone screw.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein a distal end of the sleeve is proximal to the distal tip of the flexible distal end portion.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the pre-bent sleeve comprises a longitudinal slit.