An intervertebral disc implant having a body with a greater height than
width comprised of a resilient material and an elongate cavity for
receiving a key to maintain the spacing between the vertebrae adjacent an
intervertebral disc when implanted into the space from which a portion of
the disc is removed. To distribute and cushion against compression loads,
and to mimic the normal kinematics of the intact, healthy intervertebral
disc, the key is removed after the body is implanted into the disc space
and a frame that both provides resistance to compression and tension
loads and translates the axis of rotation of the spinal column
anteriorally and posteriorally as the patient bends and rotates is
inserted into the cavity in the implant body. The frame does not extend
all the way into the cavity in the body and the portion of the cavity
into which the frame does not extend is filled with a hydrogel.