Patent ID: 8449579

Claim:
A method for replacing facets of a mammalian vertebra, the method comprising: resecting the vertebra to provide first and second resected portions of the vertebra; attaching a first prosthesis to the first resected portion such that a first articulating surface of the first prosthesis is positioned to articulate against a first facet of an adjacent vertebra; attaching a second prosthesis to the second resected portion such that a second articulating surface of the second prosthesis is positioned to articulate against a second facet of the adjacent vertebra; and positioning a crosslink between adjacent spinous processes of the vertebra and attaching the crosslink to the first prosthesis and the second prosthesis; and wherein the crosslink is adjustable laterally with respect to the first and second prostheses, wherein attaching the crosslink to the first prosthesis comprises gripping the crosslink with a first gripping mechanism of a first coupling coupled to the first prosthesis at any of a plurality of positions along an axis of the crosslink, wherein attaching the crosslink to the second prosthesis comprises gripping the crosslink with a second gripping mechanism of a second coupling coupled to the second prosthesis at any of a plurality of positions along the axis, wherein attaching the crosslink to the first prosthesis further comprises: positioning flanges on either side of the crosslink and gripping the crosslink between the flanges, wherein gripping the crosslink between the flanges comprises rotating a first turnbuckle to urge the flanges together.