Facet arthroplasty devices and methods

Abstract

Devices and surgical methods treat various types of adult spinal pathologies, such as degenerative spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, degenerative lumbar scoliosis, and kypho-scoliosis. Various types of spinal joint replacement prostheses, surgical procedures for performing spinal joint replacements, and surgical instruments are used to perform the surgical procedures.

1 - 31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . A system for treating spinal pathologies including an intervertebral disc prosthesis in combination with a facet joint prosthesis comprising artificial facet joint structure adapted and configured to replace a removed portion of a natural facet.  
   
   
       33 . The system for treating spinal pathologies of  claim 32  wherein the artificial facet joint structure comprises a cephalad prosthesis adapted and configured to replace a removed natural cephalad facet.  
   
   
       34 . The system for treating spinal pathologies of  claim 32  wherein the artificial facet joint structure comprises a caudal prosthesis adapted and configured to replace a removed natural caudal facet.  
   
   
       35 . The system for treating spinal pathologies of  claim 32  wherein the artificial facet joint structure comprises a fixation member adapted and configured to attach the facet joint prosthesis to a vertebral body.  
   
   
       36 . The system for treating spinal pathologies of  claim 32  further comprising a kit containing the intervertebral disc prosthesis and the facet joint prosthesis.  
   
   
       37 . The system for treating spinal pathologies of  claim 32  wherein the intervertebral disc prosthesis is adapted for implantation via a posterior approach.  
   
   
       38 . The system for treating spinal pathologies of  claim 32  wherein the intervertebral disc prosthesis is adapted for implantation via a lateral approach.  
   
   
       39 . The system for treating spinal pathologies of  claim 32  wherein the intervertebral disc prosthesis is adapted for implantation via an anterior approach.  
   
   
       40 . A system for treating spinal pathologies including an intervertebral disc prosthesis, the improvement comprising, a facet joint prosthesis comprising artificial facet joint structure adapted and configured to replace a removed portion of a natural facet.  
   
   
       41 . The system for treating spinal pathologies of  claim 40  wherein the artificial facet joint structure comprises a cephalad prosthesis adapted and configured to replace a removed natural cephalad facet.  
   
   
       42 . The system for treating spinal pathologies of  claim 40  wherein the artificial facet joint structure comprises a caudal prosthesis adapted and configured to replace a removed natural caudal facet.  
   
   
       43 . The system for treating spinal pathologies of  claim 40  wherein the artificial facet joint stricture comprises a fixation member adapted and configured to attach the facet joint prosthesis to a vertebral body.  
   
   
       44 . The system for treating spinal pathologies of  claim 40  further comprising a kit containing the intervertebral disc prosthesis and the facet joint prosthesis.  
   
   
       45 . The system for treating spinal pathologies of  claim 40  wherein the intervertebral disc prosthesis is adapted for implantation via a posterior approach.  
   
   
       46 . The system for treating spinal pathologies of  claim 40  wherein the intervertebral disc prosthesis is adapted for implantation via a lateral approach.  
   
   
       47 . The system for treating spinal pathologies of  claim 40  wherein the intervertebral disc prosthesis is adapted for implantation via an anterior approach.  
   
   
       48 . A surgical kit for treating spinal pathologies including an intervertebral disc prosthesis in combination with facet joint prosthesis comprising artificial facet joint structure adapted and configured to replace a removed portion of a natural facet.  
   
   
       49 . The surgical kit of  claim 48  further comprising at least one of bone cement, screws, nails, bolts, anchors, and break-away screws.  
   
   
       50 . A method for treating spinal pathologies including an replacing an injured or diseased intervertebral disc with an intervertebral disc prosthesis further comprising: 
 a. replacing an injured or diseased facet joint with facet joint prosthesis comprising artificial facet joint structure adapted and configured to replace a removed portion of a natural facet.    
   
   
       51 . A method of treating a diseased or injured spine, comprising: 
 a. replacing an injured or diseased intervertebral disc, and    b. replacing an injured or diseased facet joint.    
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the step of replacing an injured or diseased artificial disk comprises replacing the injured or diseased disk with an artificial disc.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the step of replacing an injured or diseased facet joint comprises replacing the injured or diseased facet joint with a facet prosthesis.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the steps of replacing an injured or diseased artificial disc and replacing an injured or diseased facet joint comprises replacing the injured or diseased artificial disk with an artificial disk and replacing the injured or diseased facet joint with a facet prosthesis.  
   
   
       55 . A method of replacing a fused spinal segment comprising: 
 a. inserting an artificial disk into an intervertebral disc space, and    b. replacing a facet joint with a facet joint prosthesis.