CPC A61F 2/447 (2013.01) [A61B 17/7059 (2013.01); A61F 2/30749 (2013.01); A61F 2/30771 (2013.01); A61F 2/4455 (2013.01); A61F 2/4611 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30092 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30131 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30405 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30471 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30537 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3054 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30579 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30624 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30841 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3085 (2013.01); A61F 2002/4633 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. A method of stabilizing adjacent vertebrae, the method comprising:
inserting an expandable interbody implant in a disc space between the adjacent vertebrae, wherein the expandable interbody implant includes two lateral legs joined by at least one hinge plate, each lateral leg having an upper endplate and a lower endplate that are configured to move away from each other to cause an expansion in height of the expandable interbody implant;
expanding the expandable interbody implant to engage the adjacent vertebrae;
inserting a plate on a posterior edge of the disc space, the plate having an opening extending therethrough; and
positioning an anchor through the opening in the plate, wherein the anchor is flexible such that the anchor has a straight configuration and is bendable into a curved configuration.
|