US Patent 12011195 Surgical implant and method of using same

A method of stabilizing a facet joint by providing a fixation member with a substantially stadium-shaped cross-section, forming a void having a substantially stadium-shaped cross-section within the facet joint and inserting the fixation member into the void. The void is formed by engaging a first drill guide with the facet joint having two drill guide paths and drilling two spaced-apart or slightly overlapping passageways within the face joint, followed by engaging a second drill guide with the facet joint and drilling a third passageway between the two other passageways. The fixation member includes a tapered, anti-migration section configured for engaging the opposing articular surfaces of the joint.