Method of providing proper vertebral spacing

A method for providing proper vertebral spacing comprising:

• inserting an implant between two vertebrae, the implant having a proximal seat with a hole formed therein and at least three branches extending distally from the seat, the branches and the seat forming a hollow cage, each branch having an inward side facing an interior of the cage and an outward side facing away from the cage, the inward side of each branch being tapered from a relatively thinner proximal end to a relatively thicker distal end, a notch being formed on the inward side near the distal end of each branch, and at least a portion of the outward side of each branch having a plurality of grooves formed therein;
• providing a spacer at a proximal end of a implant, the cross-sectional area of the spacer being substantially equal to a cross-sectional area bounded by the proximal ends of the branches near the seat, and a thickness of the spacer being substantially less than a length of the branches;
• moving the spacer in a distal direction along the tapered inward sides of the branches, expanding the branches outwardly;
• lodging the spacer in the notches formed on the inward side of the branches near the distal end of the implant to maintain the branches in an expanded state;
• inserting bone matter through the seat hole into the hollow interior of the implant;
• and
• placing a plug in the seat hole.