An artificial spinal disc is provided for unilateral insertion from the
posterior side of the patient and includes a pair of plate members with a
bearing associated with one plate member and a depression associated with
the other for permitting limited flexibility of patient movement. An
outrigger is provided which includes rods extending through the pedicles
on one side of each of two adjacent vertebrae and posts connected to the
rods which provide an artificial facet joint. A method of insertion of
the artificial spinal disc hereof includes cutting channels for receiving
longitudinally extending ribs on the plate members and removing the
natural facet joint in order to permit insertion of the artificial spinal
disc. A tool for insertion of the artificial spinal disc acts as a drill
guide for creating a passage through the pedicles.