Cervical facet resurfacing implant

Abstract

The present invention relates to prostheses for treating spinal pathologies, and more specifically to a system and method for treating articulating surfaces of cervical vertebrae facet joints. The system includes a superior implant for placement on a superior articulating surface and an inferior implant for placement on an inferior articulating surface. In addition, described is a method for providing articulating surfaces for cervical vertebrae facet joint articular facets.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to prostheses for treating spinal pathologies, and more specifically to a system and method for treating articulating surfaces of cervical facet joints. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Back and neck pain are common ailments. In many cases, the pain severely limits a person's functional ability and quality of life. A variety of spinal pathologies can lead to back pain. [0003] Through disease or injury, the laminae, spinous process, articular processes, or facets of one or more vertebral bodies can become damaged, such that the vertebrae no longer articulate or properly align with each other. This can result in an undesired anatomy, loss of mobility, and pain or discomfort. With respect to vertebral articular surface degeneration, facet joints may show a reduced thickness of cartilage and may advance to entire disappearance thereof. Furthermore, surrounding the degenerated articular surfaces, there is bony format...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a cervical facet resurfacing implant comprising: a superior implant having an articulating surface and a fixation surface and configured for secured placement on a resurfaced superior articular facet of a selected cervical vertebra; and an inferior implant having an articulating surface and a fixation surface and configured for secured placement on a resurfaced inferior articular facet of a cervical vertebra immediately above the selected cervical vertebra such that the articulating surface of the inferior implant interacts with the articular surface of the superior implant.

Problems solved by technology

In many cases, the pain severely limits a person's functional ability and quality of life.

A variety of spinal pathologies can lead to back pain.

Through disease or injury, the laminae, spinous process, articular processes, or facets of one or more vertebral bodies can become damaged, such that the vertebrae no longer articulate or properly align with each other.

This can result in an undesired anatomy, loss of mobility, and pain or discomfort.

These facts induce pain which affect a large part of the population.

The vertebral facet joints, for example, can be damaged by either traumatic injury or by various disease processes, such as osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylolysis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis.

The damage to the facet joints often results in pressure on nerves, also called a “pinched” nerve, or nerve impingement.

The result is pain, misaligned anatomy, and a corresponding loss of mobility.

They solve the aging intervertebral disc problem but do not function to reduce the force on posterior joint facets.

These traditional treatments are subject to a variety of limitations and varying success rates.

Furthermore, none of the described treatments puts the spine in proper alignment or returns the spine to a desired anatomy.

In addition, stabilization techniques, by holding the vertebrae in a fixed position, permanently limit a person's mobility.

Some procedures involving motion devices have a high incidence of spontaneous fusion.

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