An intervertebral disc and facet joints prosthesis includes (i) an
intervertebral disc prosthesis element having an upper rigid prosthesis
endplate, a lower rigid prosthesis endplate, and a core interposed
between and attached to the rigid endplates, and (ii) at least one facet
joint prosthesis element, each facet joint prosthesis element including
an upper facet joint prosthesis component and a lower facet joint
prosthesis component. The upper facet joint prosthesis component is
constructed to cooperate with its respective lower facet joint prosthesis
component, the upper facet joint prosthesis component being rigidly fixed
to the upper endplate and the lower facet joint prosthesis component
being rigidly fixed to the lower endplate. The prosthesis may be
implanted by surgical procedures involving a posterior or postero-lateral
approach.