Patent ID: 8709046

Claim:
A method for replacing a facet of a mammalian vertebra, the method comprising the steps of: resecting at least a portion of the facet; implanting a fixation element into a resected facet, the fixation element having a distal end with a bone engaging surface, after the implanting step, introducing a connecting element over a proximal end of the fixation element, the connecting element allowing polyaxial adjustment of a prosthetic facet relative to the fixation element; polyaxially rotating the prosthetic facet relative to the fixation element such that the prosthetic facet is positioned to articulate against a second facet; and fixedly attaching the prosthetic facet to the fixation element, wherein the prosthetic facet comprises a curved articulating surface, an angled flat that extends from the rear of the curved articulating surface, and a semi-spherical bone engaging surface, wherein the angled flat is positioned between a back side of the curved articulating surface and the semi-spherical bone engaging surface.