Patent ID: 8066741

Claim:
A prosthesis for replacing a posterior element of a first natural vertebra of a spine, the first natural vertebra comprising a natural vertebral body, right and left natural pedicles extending from the natural vertebral body, a natural posterior arch extending between the natural pedicles, right and left natural superior articular processes extending from the natural posterior arch and the natural pedicles, and right and left natural inferior articular processes extending from the natural posterior arch, the prosthesis comprising: a right prosthetic mount that attaches the prosthesis to a right natural pedicle location of the first vertebra; a left prosthetic mount that attaches the prosthesis to a left natural pedicle location of the first vertebra; an interconnecting structure formed monolithically with the prosthetic mounts and extending therebetween; and a first articular structure coupled to the interconnecting structure to constrain motion of the first vertebra relative to an adjacent second vertebra of the spine by articulating with a natural or prosthetic articular structure on the second vertebra; wherein, after the prosthesis is attached to the first vertebra, the prosthesis contacts the first vertebra exclusively at the natural pedicle locations.