Flexible elongated chain implant and method of supporting body tissue with same

A spinal fusion method, comprising:

• inserting a cannula into a disc space located between two adjacent vertebral bodies in a patient's spinal column, wherein the disc space has a transverse plane;
• inserting a guide through the cannula to position a terminal distal end portion of the guide in the disc space;
• inserting a chain of biocompatible material through the cannula and into the disc space, the guide engaging the chain during insertion to guide the chain in a desired direction, the chain comprising a plurality of bodies joined by a plurality of cylindrical links such that at least one of said bodies is attached at one end of the body to a first adjacent body by a first link and attached at another, opposite end of the body to a second adjacent body by a second link, the first and second links being separate from one another, the chain having a height and a length configured to reside within the disc space;
• and
• during insertion into the disc space, angulating the plurality of bodies with respect to each other about the links to position the chain such that the chain curves in the transverse plane and such that a terminal distal end of the chain approaches a proximal end portion of the chain,
• wherein, during said insertion of the chain into the disc space, one or more of the bodies are disposed in the disc space and are not in contact with the guide.