Interspinous process spacer having tight access offset hooks

A method of implanting an interspinous spacer, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a spacer comprising:
• i) a spinal connecting member,
• ii) a first hook having a first body portion having a first outer face, a first inner face defining an inner plane, a first medial face, a first throughhole extending from the first outer face to the first inner face, and a first flange having a proximal portion extending medially and inwardly from the inner plane, a curved intermediate portion, and a distal portion extending medially from the curved intermediate portion and towards the inner plane,
• iii) a second hook having a second body portion having a second outer face, a second inner face defining an inner plane, a second medial face, a second throughhole extending from the second outer face to the second inner face, and a second flange having a proximal portion extending medially and inwardly from the inner plane, a curved intermediate portion, and a distal portion extending medially from the curved intermediate portion and towards the inner plane,
• wherein the connecting member extends through each of the throughholes so that the hooks are slidably disposed on the connecting member,
• wherein the hooks are oriented so that their inner faces oppose each other,
• wherein the curved intermediate portion forms an acute angle between the proximal and distal portions of each flange, and
• wherein the hooks are positioned so that the proximal portion of the first flange crosses the inner plane of the second hook,
• b) providing lateral access to a gap between opposed inner portions of an upper and lower spinous process,
• c) laterally inserting the spacer into the gap so that the distal portion of the first flange contacts the upper spinous process and the distal portion of the second flange contacts the lower spinous process.