An artificial functional spinal unit is provided comprising, generally, an
expandable artificial intervertebral implant that can be placed via a
posterior surgical approach and used in conjunction with one or more
artificial facet joints to provide an anatomically correct range of
motion. Expandable artificial intervertebral implants in both lordotic
and non-lordotic designs are disclosed, as well as lordotic and
non-lordotic expandable cages for both PLIF (posterior lumber interbody
fusion) and TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) procedures. The
expandable implants may have various shapes, such as round, square,
rectangular, banana-shaped, kidney-shaped, or other similar shapes. By
virtue of their posteriorly implanted approach, the disclosed artificial
FSU's allow for posterior decompression of the neural elements,
reconstruction of all or part of the natural functional spinal unit,
restoration and maintenance of lordosis, maintenance of motion, and
restoration and maintenance of disc space height.