Patent ID: 7938831

Claim:
A method of at least partially inserting an implant into a bone and/or cartilage of a spine comprising: a) selecting an implant, said implant including a head and a lower portion connected to the head; b) selecting a sleeve that includes a side wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a cavity and a removable cap in said opening in said top wall, said top wall having an opening into said cavity, said cavity designed to at least partially telescopically receive said lower portion of said implant; c) forming an opening in said bone and/or cartilage of said spine; d) at least partially inserting said sleeve into said opening; e) allowing a period of time to pass after said sleeve is inserted in said opening in said bone and/or cartilage and prior to said lower portion of said implant being at least partially inserted and secured into said cavity of said sleeve; f) removing said cap from said top opening after passage of said period of time, said period of time enabling said sleeve to at least partially set in said opening in said bone and at least partially allow bone to grow about said sleeve before said lower portion of said implant is at least partially inserted and secured into said cavity of said sleeve; and, g) at least partially inserting and securing said lower portion of said implant into said cavity of said sleeve.