A method of implanting an intervertebral prosthesis in a disc located
between a pair of adjacent vertebrae of a patient. Damaged or diseased
nucleus pulpous is removed from the disc using minimally invasive
techniques. The adjacent vertebrae are positioned in a lordotic
condition. A mold adapted to contain a biomaterial is positioned between
the adjacent vertebrae. A flowable biomaterial is delivered into the mold
using minimally invasive techniques so that the adjacent vertebrae are in
the lordotic condition. The flowable biomaterial is allowed to at least
partially cure so that the adjacent vertebrae are in a lordotic-neutral
position. The step of positioning the pair of adjacent vertebrae in a
lordotic condition may include positioning the patient in extension,
displacing spinous processes of the adjacent vertebrae to a compressed
configuration, suturing spinous processes of the adjacent vertebrae to a
compressed configuration, and/or delivering the flowable biomaterial into
the mold at sufficient pressure to distraction the adjacent vertebrae to
a lordotic position. One or more preformed prostheses can be substituted
for, or combined with, the mold.