Methods for securing a intervertebral cage to one or more levels of the spine with fixation. The fixation, which is typically a staple, is intended to be driven perpendicular to the proximal face of the cage and in-line with the inserter. After the cage is placed and positioned according to surgeon preference, a single piece fixation clip is then deployed and fixed in a manner that produces a zero-profile device.

A spinal fusion cage, having a C-shaped posterior body with a plurality of insertable shims passing therethrough and into a vertebral body above or below the C-shaped posterior body; an anterior plate that is attachable to the opposite ends of the C-shaped posterior body; and a plurality of screws passing through the anterior plate and extending into a vertebral body above or below the anterior plate.

A spinal fusion cage, having a C-shaped posterior body with a plurality of insertable shims passing therethrough and extending out from the C-shaped posterior body into a vertebral body above or below the C-shaped posterior body; an anterior plate that is attachable to the opposite ends of the C-shaped posterior body; and a plurality of screws passing through the anterior plate and extend into a vertebral body above or below the anterior plate.

In operation, the spinal cage is placed into an intervertebral space by first placing the C-shaped posterior body onto the distal end of an inserter; and then extending the shims through the inserter and through tracts in the C-shaped posterior body into a vertebral body above or below the C-shaped posterior body; and then placing bone graft material into an open center region of the C-shaped posterior body; and then attaching an anterior plate onto opposite ends of the C-shaped posterior body; and then extending screws through the anterior plate and into the vertebral body above or below the anterior plate.