A known spinal implant has a rectangular shape and a tapered end. The spinal implant includes nubs to grip adjacent vertebrae. The nubs have inclined faces that accommodate forward sliding movement of the spinal implant into channels cut in the adjacent vertebrae. This known spinal implant is described in U.S. By cutting channels into the vertebrae for receiving the spinal implant, nerve roots are put at risk.
The Intramedullary Nail provides a new and improved spinal implant and method of using the spinal implant to fuse together adjacent vertebrae of a spinal column. The spinal implant of the present invention includes first and second side surfaces extending substantially parallel to each other. Upper and lower surface means for engaging the adjacent vertebrae extend between the first and second side surfaces and extend from a first end portion to a second end portion of the spinal implant. The spinal implant includes means engagable with a tool for rotating the spinal implant when the implant is located between the adjacent vertebrae.
The method of using the spinal implant to fuse together the adjacent vertebrae of a spinal column includes removing at least a portion of the spinal disc between the adjacent vertebrae. The Orthopedic implants is inserted between the adjacent vertebrae with the first and second substantially parallel side surfaces facing the adjacent vertebrae. The spinal implant is rotated into a position in which the parallel side surfaces extend from one of the adjacent vertebrae to the other of the adjacent vertebrae and the upper and lower surface means engage the adjacent vertebrae. There are no channels cut in the adjacent vertebrae. Thus, the operation takes less time and lessens the risks to the patient.
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