Expandable spinal interbody spacer and method of use

A method of performing surgery, comprising:

• positioning an upper body and a lower body of a spinal implant in a first, approximated position relative to each other, the upper body and lower body pivotably coupled at a first end and capable of movement relative to each other, wherein each of the upper body and the lower body is dimensioned to be installed between first and second vertebral bodies, the outer surfaces of each of the upper body and the lower body are adapted to engage a corresponding end plate of the first and second vertebral bodies;
• preparing an intervertebral space between the first and second vertebral bodies to receive the spinal implant;
• inserting the spinal implant into the prepared intervertebral space;
• articulating the upper body and lower body relative to each other to effectuate a desired lordosis of a spine of the patient;
• inserting a plurality of bone screws that are capable of being attached to bone through a plurality of screw holes defined through the outer surface and an adjacent side surface of the upper body and through the outer surface and an adjacent side surface of the lower body, wherein the screw holes are oriented towards a respective adjacent one of the first and second vertebral bodies at an oblique angle;
• and
• locking a ratchet mechanism slidably disposed on one of the upper and lower bodies, to lock the position of the upper body and lower body relative to each other, the ratchet mechanism capable of engaging the opposite one of the upper and lower bodies thereby permitting movement of the upper and lower bodies relative to each other in a first direction, but not in a second direction.