Patent ID: 8366718

Claim:
A method for introducing an intervertebral disc prosthesis into an intervertebral disc compartment formed between a first and a second vertebrae, the method comprising the steps of: a) exposing an access canal to the intervertebral disc compartment; b) connecting a first fixing element carried by a first slide to the first vertebra; c) connecting a second fixing element carried by a second slide to the second vertebra; d) adjusting the position of the first and second vertebrae by adjusting the distance between the first and second slides, which adjusts the distance between the first and second fixing elements; e) adjusting the angle between the first and second vertebrae by adjusting the angle between the first and second fixing elements independent of adjusting the distance between the first slide and the second slide; f) inserting an intervertebral disc prosthesis into the intervertebral disc compartment; and g) removing material from at least one vertebra between steps a) and b), between steps d) and f), or both.