Intervertebral disc nucleus replacement implants and methods are provided.
The nucleus replacement implant, which is configured to reside within an
intervertebral disc nucleus space, includes a core support structure,
including a rotatable member and multiple vertebral support structures.
The vertebral support structures are disposed in spaced relation with the
rotatable member positioned therebetween. The implant further includes an
elastic body at least partially surrounding the core support structure.
When the rotatable member is in the first orientation, the implant is in
a compressed height configuration to facilitate insertion of the implant
into the intervertebral disc nucleus space, and when the rotatable member
is in the second orientation, the implant is in an extended height
configuration to facilitate use of the implant as a prosthetic
intervertebral disc nucleus replacement.