Method of inserting and preloading spinal implants

A method for inserting a spinal implant between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a spinal distractor into a disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae to provide for proper spacing of the disc space between the vertebrae, said spinal distractor comprising a member terminating in a disc penetrating portion having an uneven height;
• inserting over said spinal distractor a guard having an extension for insertion into the disc space and for bearing against end plates of the two adjacent vertebrae, said extension having an uneven height;
• forming, through said guard, an opening across the disc space and into a portion of each of the two adjacent vertebrae;
• and
• inserting said implant into the opening.

A method for inserting a spinal implant between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a spinal distractor having a disc penetrating portion with an uneven height into the disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae to provide a predetermined angular relationship between the adjacent vertebrae;
• placing over said spinal distractor a guard having means for engaging a spine and for maintaining a predetermined angular relationship between the adjacent vertebrae;
• passing a trephine through said guard and over said spinal distractor to form a hole across the disc space and into a portion of the two adjacent vertebrae;
• removing the trephine and spinal distractor;
• and
• inserting said implant through said guard and into the hole.

A method for inserting a spinal implant between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting at least one spinal distractor into a disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae to provide for proper spacing of the disc space between the vertebrae;
• inserting over said spinal distractor a guard having at least one extension for insertion into the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and for bearing against end plates of the adjacent
• forming, through said guard, an opening across the disc space and into a portion of each of the two adjacent vertebrae;
• and
• inserting at least one implant into the vertebrae through said guard;
• and
• removing said guard.

A method for inserting spinal implants across a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a guard having an extension into the disc space between adjacent vertebrae so as to bear against end plates of the adjacent vertebrae to restore the spacing of the disc space between the adjacent vertebrae;
• forming, through said guard, at least one opening across the disc space and into a portion of the two adjacent vertebrae;
• and
• inserting said implants into the opening.

A method for inserting spinal implants between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:

• (1) inserting a first distractor into a disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae and inserting a second distractor beside said first distractor to provide for proper spacing of the disc space between the vertebrae;
• (2) placing over said first and second distractors a guard that engages said two adjacent vertebrae;
• (3) removing said first distractor;
• (4) forming, through said guard, an opening across the disc space and into a portion of each of the two adjacent vertebrae;
• (5) inserting one of said implants through said guard and into the opening;
• (6) removing said second distractor;
• and repeating steps (4) and (5).

A method for securing a guard to two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting at least one alignment rod into a disc space intermediate the two adjacent vertebrae to induce angulation to the adjacent vertebrae;
• placing said guard over said rod, said rod serving to center and align said guard;
• driving said guard towards the spine to engage the spine;
• and
• removing said rod from said guard.

A method for inserting a spinal implant between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a spinal distractor into a disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae to provide for proper spacing of the disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae, said spinal distractor comprising a member terminating in a disc penetrating portion;
• inserting over the spinal distractor a hollow member having an extension for insertion into the disc space and for bearing against end plates of the two adjacent vertebrae, said extension having an uneven height;
• removing the spinal distractor from said hollow member;
• forming through said hollow member a hole across the disc space and into a portion of each of the two adjacent vertebrae;
• and
• inserting said implant in the hole through the hollow member.

A method for inserting a spinal implant between two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a spinal distractor into a disc space between the two adjacent vertebrae to induce angulation to the adjacent vertebrae;
• positioning a guard over said spinal distractor and into contact with the adjacent vertebrae;
• forming, through said guard, an opening across the disc space;
• and
• inserting said implant into the opening.

A method for securing a guard to two adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting at least one spinal distractor into a disc space intermediate the two adjacent vertebrae;
• placing over said spinal distractor a guard having an extension for insertion into the disc space and for bearing against end plates of the adjacent vertebrae;
• and
• removing said distractor from said guard.