Patent ID: 8333789

Claim:
A system for replacing at least a portion of a natural facet joint that controls motion between a first vertebra and a second vertebra, the system comprising: a fixation member implantable in a pedicle of the second vertebra; an inferior facet joint implant comprising: an inferior articular surface shaped to replace a natural inferior articular surface of the second vertebra; an inferior strut comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is securable to the fixation member and the second end is operably attached to an attachment mechanism, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises an expandable member, a shell over the expandable member, and a locking nut that is actuatable to move the attachment mechanism from an adjustable configuration to a locked configuration, wherein the locking nut is directly in contact with the expandable member; and a crosslink operably attached to the inferior strut, wherein the orientations of the second end, the inferior articular surface, and the crosslink are all adjustable relative to each other until a locked configuration in which the second end, the inferior articular surface, and the crosslink are rigidly secured to each other.