Facet Joint Replacement Instruments and Methods

A method of rigidly connecting components of a facet joint replacement prosthesis, the method comprising:

• connecting an implant base to a second inserter tool;
• inserting the implant base in a pedicle of a vertebra;
• connecting an articular component to a first inserter tool;
• passing a connection feature of the articular component along the second inserter tool;
• positioning the connection feature against the implant base;
• connecting a lockout tool to the second inserter tool;
• and
• actuating the lockout tool to simultaneously push against the connection feature and pull on the implant base to lock the implant base to the articular component.

A method of rigidly connecting components of a facet joint replacement prosthesis, the method comprising:

• connecting an implant base to a second inserter tool;
• pressing the implant base against a resected bone surface of the pedicle, wherein inserting the implant base into the pedicle occurs independently of directly securing the implant base to a fastener implanted in the pedicle;
• connecting an articular component to a first inserter tool so that a connection feature of the articular component is exposed to receive the implant base;
• passing the connection feature over a shaft of the second inserter tool;
• positioning the connection feature against the implant base;
• passing an outer sleeve of a lockout tool over the second inserter tool, so that the outer sleeve abuts the connection feature;
• coupling the lockout tool to the second inserter tool;
• and
• actuating the lockout tool to simultaneously push against the connection feature and pull on the implant base to lock the articular component to the implant base, wherein, as the lockout tool is actuated, an indicator feature aligns with a target feature when a predetermined force has been reached.