Patent ID: 7172628

Claim:
A method of placing a disc prosthesis comprising two solid compressible cylinders between adjacent spinal vertebrae comprising the steps of: (a) forming an enlarged partially circular space from the back and to one side of the space between adjacent vertebrae previously occupied by a degenerated disc; (b) forming additional spaces within the interiors of the adjacent vertebrae that intersect the enlarged space between the vertebrae; (c) placing a solid compressible cylinder in the spaces within the interiors of the adjacent vertebrae by compressing the solid compressible cylinder using pliers apparatus having opposing semi-cylindrical jaws for closing on and compressing the cylinder and then pushing the compressed cylinder from the closed jaws of the pliers into the spaces within the interiors of the adjacent vertebrae wherein the compressed cylinder expands to its original shape; and (d) repeating steps (a), (b) and (c) from the back and at the other side of the space between adjacent vertebrae.