Spinal mobility preservation apparatus

A method for supporting the spine, comprising the steps of:

• providing a mobility preservation apparatus having an intermediate body having a proximal end and a distal end, the intermediate body including at least one flexible element positioned between the proximal end and the distal end;
• forming an axial bore through a caudad vertebral body, an intervertebral disc and a cephalad vertebral body;
• removing at least a portion of a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc through the axial bore to form a disc space;
• and
• axially inserting the mobility preservation apparatus through the axial bore;
• securing at least a portion the mobility preservation apparatus in the cephalad vertebral body with the first retention structure;
• securing at least a portion of the mobility preservation apparatus in the caudad vertebral body with the second retention structure;
• and
• positioning a stiffening member within at least a portion of an intermediate lumen to increase the stiffness of the at least one flexible element.

A method for supporting the spine, comprising the steps of:

• providing a mobility preservation apparatus having an intermediate body being substantially radially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, the intermediate body including at least one flexible element positioned between the proximal end and the distal end, and the intermediate body defining at least one fenestration, a proximal body being substantially radially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis, the proximal body secured to the proximal end of the intermediate body, the proximal body including a first retention structure, and the proximal body defining a proximal lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fenestration of the intermediate body, and a distal body being substantially radially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis, the distal body secured to the distal end of the intermediate body, and the distal body including second retention structure;
• forming an axial bore through a caudad vertebral body, an intervertebral disc and a cephalad vertebral body;
• removing at least a portion of a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc through the axial bore to form a disc space;
• and
• axially inserting the mobility preservation apparatus through the axial bore;
• securing at least a portion of the distal body of the mobility preservation apparatus in the cephalad vertebral body with the first retention structure;
• securing at least a portion of the proximal body of the mobility preservation apparatus in the caudad vertebral body with the second retention structure;
• and
• positioning a stiffening member within at least a portion of the intermediate lumen to increase the stiffness of the at least one flexible element.