Patent ID: 8206418

Claim:
A method comprising: positioning an assembly proximate a natural facet joint of a spine, the assembly comprising a superior facet joint implant comprising a superior articular surface shaped to replace a natural superior articular surface of a first vertebra of the spine, an inferior facet joint implant comprising an inferior articular surface shaped to replace a natural inferior articular surface of a second vertebra of the spine, and a deformable coupler coupled to the superior and inferior facet joint implants; securing the superior facet joint implant to the first vertebra of the spine; securing an inferior fixation portion of the inferior facet joint implant to a pedicle of the second vertebra of the spine; and detaching the coupler from the superior and inferior facet joint implants, wherein the deformable coupler comprises a clip having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being linked by a connecting portion that is deformable, wherein when the connecting portion is flexed, the first end rotates about a first axis and the second end rotates about a second axis.