The invention discloses methods, devices, systems and kits for repairing, replacing and / or augmenting natural
facet joint surfaces and / or
facet capsules. An implantable
facet joint device of one embodiment comprises a cephalad
facet joint element and a caudal
facet joint element. The cephalad
facet joint element includes a member adapted to engage a first
vertebra, and an artificial cephalad bearing member. The caudal facet joint element includes a connector adapted for fixation to a second
vertebra at a
fixation point and an artificial caudal bearing member adapted to engage the cephalad bearing member. The artificial caudal bearing member is adapted for a location lateral to the
fixation point. In another embodiment, an implantable facet joint device comprises a cephalad crossbar adapted to extend mediolaterally relative to a spine of a patient, the crossbar having opposite first and second ends, a connector element adapted to connect the crossbar to a first
vertebra, a first artificial cephalad bearing member adapted for connection to the first end of the crossbar and adapted to engage a first caudal facet joint element connected to a second vertebra, and a second artificial cephalad bearing member adapted for connection to the second end of the crossbar and adapted to engage a second caudal facet joint element connected to the second vertebra. In yet another embodiment, an implantable facet joint device comprises a caudal cross-member adapted to extend mediolaterally relative to a spine of a patient and adapted to connect to a first vertebra, a first artificial caudal bearing member adapted for connection to the caudal cross-member, and adapted to engage a first cephalad facet joint element connected to a second vertebra, and a second artificial caudal bearing member adapted for connection to the caudal cross-member at a predetermined spacing from the first bearing member, the second bearing member being adapted to engage a second caudal facet joint element connected to the second vertebra.