US Patent 7819900 Tri-joint implant methods

Methods and devices are provided for replacing damaged, injured, diseased, or otherwise unhealthy elements of the spinal three-joint complex, such as the facet joints and discs. In one exemplary embodiment, a joint replacement system includes a facet replacement component that is adapted to replace and/or augment the facet joints, and a disc replacement component that is adapted to replace a spinal disc. The facet replacement component and the disc replacement component can couple to one another to allow and/or control flexion, extension, and/or lateral bending of the spine, preferably while substantially restricting posterior-anterior shear and axial rotation of the spine.