Abstract: A monoblock implant for fusing a cervical motion segment includes (a) an interbody portion configured to be positioned between superior and inferior vertebral bodies, of the cervical motion segment, with a first side of the interbody portion facing a first uncinate joint of the cervical motion segment and a second side of the interbody portion facing a second uncinate joint of the cervical motion segment, (b) a first wing extending away from the first side to extend into the first uncinate joint, and (c) a second wing extending away from the second side to extend into the second uncinate joint.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a cervical spine segment utilizing uncinate joint stabilization, includes a stabilizing bridge for bridging across intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment to mechanically couple between a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers positioned in a respective pair of uncinate joints of the cervical spine segment. A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment utilizing uncinate joint stabilization includes (a) positioning a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers in respective uncinate joints of the cervical spine segment to stabilize the uncinate joints and thereby stabilize the cervical spine segment (b) and implanting, in intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment, a stabilizing bridge that mechanically couples between the uncinate joint stabilizers across intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a cervical spine segment utilizing uncinate joint stabilization, includes a stabilizing bridge for bridging across intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment to mechanically couple between a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers positioned in a respective pair of uncinate joints of the cervical spine segment. A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment utilizing uncinate joint stabilization includes (a) positioning a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers in respective uncinate joints of the cervical spine segment to stabilize the uncinate joints and thereby stabilize the cervical spine segment (b) and implanting, in intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment, a stabilizing bridge that mechanically couples between the uncinate joint stabilizers across intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a cervical spine segment utilizing uncinate joint stabilization, includes a stabilizing bridge for bridging across intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment to mechanically couple between a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers positioned in a respective pair of uncinate joints of the cervical spine segment. A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment utilizing uncinate joint stabilization includes (a) positioning a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers in respective uncinate joints of the cervical spine segment to stabilize the uncinate joints and thereby stabilize the cervical spine segment (b) and implanting, in intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment, a stabilizing bridge that mechanically couples between the uncinate joint stabilizers across intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment.

Abstract: A method for distracting a pair of uncinate joints of a cervical spine segment includes positioning a pair of distractor tips in intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment, and pushing the pair of distractor tips into the pair of uncinate joints, respectively, from the intervertebral disc space to at least partly distract the uncinate joints. A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment includes at least partly distracting the uncinate joints, thereby increasing height of the intervertebral disc space and, while maintaining distraction of the uncinate joints, placing an intervertebral device in the intervertebral disc space, the intervertebral device being configured to stabilize the cervical spine segment. A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment includes at least partly distracting the uncinate joints, and implanting uncinate joint stabilizers in the uncinate joints to stabilize the uncinate joints, thereby stabilizing the cervical spine segment.

Abstract: A system for distracting uncinate joints of a cervical spine segment includes two tapered elements and an actuator configured to couple with the tapered elements and change distance between the tapered elements, to insert the tapered elements into the uncinate joints, respectively, from the intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment includes inserting a respective uncinate joint stabilizer into each uncinate joint along a medial-to-lateral direction starting from intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment, and securing each uncinate joint stabilizer to the respective uncinate joint. A system for stabilizing a cervical spine segment includes a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers, each (a) elongated along a lengthwise dimension and configured for placement in the respective uncinate joint with the lengthwise dimension substantially oriented along an anterior-to-posterior direction of the cervical spine segment, (b) having height configured to define spacing of the respective uncinate joint, (c) and including a tapered portion for interfacing with superior and inferior surfaces of the respective uncinate joint and to enable insertion of the uncinate joint stabilizer into the respective uncinate joint from intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment includes implanting a respective uncinate joint stabilizer into each uncinate joint of the cervical spine segment to stabilize the uncinate joints and thereby stabilize the cervical spine segment, wherein each uncinate joint stabilizer has threads and the step of implanting includes threading each uncinate joint stabilizer into the respective uncinate joint along an anterior-to-posterior direction using the threads.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a cervical spine segment includes a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers for stabilizing a respective pair of uncinate joints. Each uncinate joint stabilizer is elongated along a lengthwise dimension and is configured for placement in the respective uncinate joint with the lengthwise dimension substantially oriented along an anterior-to-posterior direction of the cervical spine segment. Each uncinate joint stabilizer has height configured to define spacing of the respective uncinate joint. Each uncinate joint stabilizer includes a generally cylindrical portion with cylinder axis in the lengthwise dimension. The generally cylindrical portion has threads for threading the uncinate joint stabilizer into the respective uncinate joint along the anterior-to-posterior direction. The threads are interrupted by one or more fenestrations configured to accommodate bone graft material, bone growth, and/or tissue displaced from the respective uncinate joint by the uncinate joint stabilizer.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment includes implanting a respective uncinate joint stabilizer into each uncinate joint of the cervical spine segment to stabilize the uncinate joints and thereby stabilize the cervical spine segment, wherein each uncinate joint stabilizer has threads and the step of implanting includes threading each uncinate joint stabilizer into the respective uncinate joint along an anterior-to-posterior direction using the threads.

Abstract: A method for distracting a pair of uncinate joints of a cervical spine segment includes positioning a pair of distractor tips in intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment, and pushing the pair of distractor tips into the pair of uncinate joints, respectively, from the intervertebral disc space to at least partly distract the uncinate joints. A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment includes at least partly distracting the uncinate joints, thereby increasing height of the intervertebral disc space and, while maintaining distraction of the uncinate joints, placing an intervertebral device in the intervertebral disc space, the intervertebral device being configured to stabilize the cervical spine segment. A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment includes at least partly distracting the uncinate joints, and implanting uncinate joint stabilizers in the uncinate joints to stabilize the uncinate joints, thereby stabilizing the cervical spine segment.

Abstract: A tool for distracting uncinate joints of a cervical spine segment includes two connector arms configured to access the cervical spine segment through soft tissue anterior to the cervical spine segment. The connector arms form respective receptacles for holding extensions coupled to respective distractor tips so as to position the distractor tips at distal ends of the connector arms and in the cervical spine segment. The tool further includes a control coupled to proximate ends of the connector arms and configured to adjust distance between the connector arms, at least at the distal ends, to distract the uncinate joints with the distractor tips. A system for distracting uncinate joints of a cervical spine segment includes a pair of distractor tips for insertion into the uncinate joints, respectively, along a medial-to-lateral direction from intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment, to distract the uncinate joints.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a cervical spine segment utilizing uncinate joint stabilization, includes a stabilizing bridge for bridging across intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment to mechanically couple between a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers positioned in a respective pair of uncinate joints of the cervical spine segment. A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment utilizing uncinate joint stabilization includes (a) positioning a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers in respective uncinate joints of the cervical spine segment to stabilize the uncinate joints and thereby stabilize the cervical spine segment (b) and implanting, in intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment, a stabilizing bridge that mechanically couples between the uncinate joint stabilizers across intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a cervical spine segment includes a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers for stabilizing a respective pair of uncinate joints. Each uncinate joint stabilizer is elongated along a lengthwise dimension and is configured for placement in the respective uncinate joint with the lengthwise dimension substantially oriented along an anterior-to-posterior direction of the cervical spine segment. Each uncinate joint stabilizer has height configured to define spacing of the respective uncinate joint. Each uncinate joint stabilizer includes a generally cylindrical portion with cylinder axis in the lengthwise dimension. The generally cylindrical portion has threads for threading the uncinate joint stabilizer into the respective uncinate joint along the anterior-to-posterior direction. The threads are interrupted by one or more fenestrations configured to accommodate bone graft material, bone growth, and/or tissue displaced from the respective uncinate joint by the uncinate joint stabilizer.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a cervical spine segment includes inserting a respective uncinate joint stabilizer into each uncinate joint along a medial-to-lateral direction starting from intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment, and securing each uncinate joint stabilizer to the respective uncinate joint. A system for stabilizing a cervical spine segment includes a pair of uncinate joint stabilizers, each (a) elongated along a lengthwise dimension and configured for placement in the respective uncinate joint with the lengthwise dimension substantially oriented along an anterior-to-posterior direction of the cervical spine segment, (b) having height configured to define spacing of the respective uncinate joint, (c) and including a tapered portion for interfacing with superior and inferior surfaces of the respective uncinate joint and to enable insertion of the uncinate joint stabilizer into the respective uncinate joint from intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment.

Abstract: A system for distracting uncinate joints of a cervical spine segment includes two tapered elements and an actuator configured to couple with the tapered elements and change distance between the tapered elements, to insert the tapered elements into the uncinate joints, respectively, from the intervertebral disc space of the cervical spine segment.