Methods and systems for treating a spinal joint with a facet joint replacement. The prosthesis can include a first component having a first articulating surface and a second component having a second articulating surface. The first component is attached to a superior articulating facet and the second component is attached to an inferior articulating facet. The first articulating surface and the second articulating surface articulate with each other and allow for multiple degrees of movement of the facet joint without fusing the joint.

A disc replacement device including a first body member with a convex articulation surface and a second body member with a concave articulation surface is disclosed. When operably positioned, the convex articulation surface engages the concave articulation surface to provide for movement therebetween. The disc replacement device also includes a first opening in the first body member and a second opening in the second body member, wherein the openings are angled and extends from the front aspects of the body members through the external surfaces. The disc replacement device further includes at least two bone fasteners for insertion into the first and second openings to secure the disc replacement device to a first and second vertebra. An interbody motion device and fusion implant, as well as a surgical method for implantation are also disclosed.

A mould adapted to be introduced into a joint of a human patient for resurfacing at least one carrying contacting surface of said joint is provided. The mould is adapted to receive material for resurfacing at least one carrying contacting surface of said joint. The mould is further adapted to be resorbed by the human body or melt after having served its purpose.

A joint replacement device includes a male component with a structure to couple to a bone on one side of a joint, and an outer articulation surface that is attached to the structure via a neck. A female component is configured to couple to a bone on an opposite side of the joint and includes a cavity that is surrounded by an inner articulation surface. An opening of the cavity is shaped to enable insertion of the outer articulation surface into the cavity when the outer articulation surface is aligned with the opening, and to prevent separation of the male component from the female component when rotated so as not to align with the opening. The neck is located within the opening and the outer articulation surface is rotatable within the outer articulation surface with a rotation that is limited by dimensions of the opening and the neck.

A four-component artificial intervertebral disc may provide six degrees of movement: flexion, extension, lateral bending, axial rotation, axial deflection, and anterior/posterior translation. The disc may include a superior endplate, a superior core, an inferior core, and an inferior endplate. The superior endplate may include a concave mating surface, and the inferior endplate may include a spherical mating surface. The superior endplate may roll across the superior core to provide flexion, extension, and lateral bending. The superior endplate may twist or rotate atop the superior core to provide axial rotation, and the superior endplate may slide over the superior core to provide anterior/posterior translation. The superior core may be connected to the inferior core, and the inferior core may be connected to the inferior endplate. The inferior core may be made from a flexible material that may enable the artificial disc to expand or compress vertically.

A mould adapted to be introduced into a joint of a human patient for resurfacing at least one carrying contacting surface of said joint is provided. The mould is adapted to receive material for resurfacing at least one carrying contacting surface of said joint. The mould is further adapted to be resorbed by the human body or melt after having served its purpose.

An artificial joint cup, in particular a hip joint cup, for implanting in a cavity in a bone. The joint cup is, in particular, substantially in the form of a spherical dome cup, having a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface. In addition, the joint cup comprises an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The ratio of the difference between the outer diameter and the inner diameter, in relation to the outer diameter, is in a range of between 0.5 and 0.07, preferably between 0.3 and 0.075, particularly preferably between 0.2 and 0.1. The joint cup is manufactured from a ceramic material, and the convex outer surface has a micro-structuring.

In one embodiment a method of implanting a prosthetic includes implanting a first member including a concave articulation surface portion defined by a first radius of curvature in a first bone, implanting in a second bone a second member including a first convex articulation surface portion defined by a second radius of curvature and a second convex articulation surface defined by a third radius of curvature, wherein the second convex articulation surface is defined by the lemon portion of a spindle torus and each of the second radius of curvature and the third radius of curvature has a length that is different from the length of the first radius of curvature by less than 0.05 millimeters and wherein the origin of the second radius of curvature is not coincident with the origin of the third radius of curvature, and bringing the first member into slidable contact with the second member.

A four-component artificial intervertebral disc may provide six degrees of movement: flexion, extension, lateral bending, axial rotation, axial deflection, and anterior/posterior translation. The disc may include a superior endplate, a superior core, an inferior core, and an inferior endplate. The superior endplate may include a concave mating surface, and the inferior endplate may include a spherical mating surface. The superior endplate may roll across the superior core to provide flexion, extension, and lateral bending. The superior endplate may twist or rotate atop the superior core to provide axial rotation, and the superior endplate may slide over the superior core to provide anterior/posterior translation. The superior core may be connected to the inferior core, and the inferior core may be connected to the inferior endplate. The inferior core may be made from a flexible material that may enable the artificial disc to expand or compress vertically.

The disclosure includes methods and systems for making orthopedic connections where there is unique adjustability to the connection. Illustratively, one embodiment provides a connecting assembly for connecting a plurality of orthopedic components. Such connecting assemblies can include a first orthopedic component that provides a female bore. Additionally, the assembly can include a second orthopedic component that can be or include a male-type connecting member that is positionable in the bore of the first orthopedic component. In one preferred form, the male-type connecting member will be a quasi-spherical member. The quasi-spherical member can include a textured outer surface, e.g., for contacting one or more walls or surfaces in the bore in a fashion that removably locks or helps to removably lock or fix the quasi-spherical member in the bore.