Method and apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc

An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column, said apparatus comprising:

• a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface;
• a first retaining device fixedly attached to said first surface of said resilient core, said first retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing said first surface of said resilient core;
• and
• a second retaining device fixedly connected to said second surface of said resilient core, said second retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing said second surface of said resilient core;
• said inner surface of said first retaining device being spaced from said core, said core deflecting into engagement with said inner surface of said first retaining device upon relative movement between said first and second retaining devices;
• said inner surface of said first retaining device being concave.

An apparatus for replacing a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column, said apparatus comprising:

• a resilient core having a first surface and a second surface;
• a first retaining device attached to said first surface of said resilient core, said first retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a first vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing said first surface of said resilient core;
• and
• a second retaining device fixedly connected to said second surface of said resilient core, said second retaining device having an outer surface engageable with a second vertebra of the spinal column and an inner surface facing said second surface of said resilient core;
• said inner surface of said first retaining device being spaced from said core, said core deflecting into engagement with said inner surface of said first retaining device upon relative movement between said first and second retaining devices;
• said first retaining device including a first mounting member engageable with the first vertebra and a first retaining member, said first retaining member having said outer surface engageable with the first vertebra and an inner surface affixed to said first surface of said core, said first mounting member including said inner surface facing said core that said core engages upon relative movement between said first and second retaining devices.