Artificial intervertebral disc trial having a controllably separable distal end

An apparatus for at least one of distracting an intervertebral space and determining a size of an artificial intervertebral disc to be implanted in the intervertebral space, the apparatus comprising:

• a shaft;
• at least two distal extensions coupled to the shaft;
• a bifurcated trial having a first trial half of the bifurcated trial coupled to a first of the extensions and having a second trial half of the bifurcated trial coupled to a second of the extensions;
• and
• a pin located between the extensions;
• wherein at least one external trial shape of the bifurcated trial approximates at least one external disc shape of a corresponding portion of the artificial intervertebral disc;
• wherein movement of the pin in a distal direction increases a separation between the extensions;
• wherein movement of the pin in a proximal direction decreases the separation between the extensions;
• and
• wherein varying the separation between the extensions varies a separation between the trial halves.