Vertebral bone distraction instruments

An orthopedic device set, comprising:

• a plurality of Intervertebral spacers elements, each spacer element having a cylindrical shape and an annular groove formed therein, each spacer element further having a different axial thickness from each other spacer;
• an instrument for holding each of the intervertebral spacer elements during the insertion and removal thereof into and out from between adjacent vertebral bones, the instrument comprising a shaft having a distal end, a spacer element holding structure formed at the distal end, which spacer element holding structure can hold the spacer at the annular groove thereof;
• and
• a loading tool which facilitates the loading and unloading of spacers into and out of the holding instrument;
• wherein the loading tool comprises a handle and a bifurcated end, said bifurcated end including a pair of similarly curved tines which can grasp and hold each spacer element steady as a force is applied to element.