Customized intervertebral prosthetic disc with shock absorption

An intervertebral disc prosthesis system comprising:

• a plurality of selectable cores, each core comprising, upper and lower surfaces, each of the selectable cores having differing heights between the upper and lower surfaces and identified with an indicia indicating the height of the core;
• first and second plates locatable about the core, each plate comprising, an outer surface configured to engage a vertebra, and an inner surface shaped to contact one of the outer surfaces of each core;
• a retaining formation which holds the core captive between the first and second plates, wherein the retaining formation includes an inwardly facing groove at an edge of the inner surface of the first plate and an outwardly facing flange on an outer periphery of the plurality of selectable cores;
• wherein the first and second plates are adapted to articulate with respect to one another and the core when one of the cores is selected and positioned between the first and second plates.