Methods and devices are provided for replacing a spinal disc. In an
exemplary embodiment, artificial disc replacements and methods are
provided wherein at least a portion of a disc replacement can be
implanted using a posterolateral approach. With a posterolateral
approach, the spine is accessed more from the side of the spinal canal
through an incision formed in the patient's back. A pathway is created
from the incision to the disc space between adjacent vertebrae. Portions
of the posterolateral annulus, and posterior lip of the vertebral body
may be removed to access the disc space, leaving the remaining annulus
and the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments in tact. The disc
implant can be at least partially introduced using a posterolateral
approach, yet it has a size that is sufficient to restore height to the
adjacent vertebrae, and that is sufficient to maximize contact with the
endplates of the adjacent vertebrae.