LORDOSIS CREATING NUCLEUS REPLACEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

A system for implanting an intervertebral prosthesis in a disc located between a pair of adjacent vertebrae of a patient. Damaged or diseased nucleus pulpous is removed from the disc using minimally invasive techniques. The adjacent vertebrae (58,60) are positioned in a lordotic condition. A mold (104) adapted to contain a biomaterial is positioned between the adjacent vertebrae. A flowable biomaterial is delivered into the mold using minimally invasive techniques so that the adjacent vertebrae are in the lordotic condition. The flowable biomaterial is allowed to at least partially cure so that the adjacent vertebrae are in a lordotic-neutral position. One or more preformed prostheses can be substituted for, or combined with, the mold.