Facet buttress implant and method of using same

A method for preventing migration of a fixation member from between articular surfaces of a superior process of a lower vertebra and an inferior process of a higher vertebra, the method comprising:

• detachably coupling a surgical implant inserter to a plate, followed by,
• inserting the plate through a cannula, followed by,
• placing the plate over a fixation member, followed by,
• detaching the surgical implant inserter from the plate, followed by,
• inserting a screw through the plate and into the inferior process, and
• coupling the plate to the superior process and the inferior process,
• wherein the plate includes a posterior face and an anterior face, a passageway extending to and between the posterior face and the anterior face, an opening through the posterior face that is configured for detachably coupling to the surgical implant inserter, the opening being spaced apart from the passageway, and one or more anti-migration projections extending outwardly from the anterior face, and
• wherein coupling the plate to the inferior process includes inserting the screw through the passageway of the plate and into the inferior process without inserting the screw into the superior process.