Patent ID: 6974479

Claim:
A method for retaining a prosthetic spinal implant in an intervertebral disc space, said method comprising: (a) implanting a prosthetic spinal implant member in an intervertebral disc space; (b) providing a first L-shaped blocking member having an anchoring end and a blocking end, wherein said blocking end is free and unconnected to a prosthetic spinal implant; and (c) positioning the blocking end of said first L-shaped blocking member in an intervertebral disc space in a position effective to block said prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from the intervertebral disc space; and (d) securing the anchoring end of said first L-shaped blocking member to a vertebra in a manner in which the blocking end of said first L-shaped blocking member is maintained in a position effective to block said prosthetic spinal implant from being expelled from the intervertebral disc space.