Facet plate for implant expulsion prevention

A plate and an installation tool are provided for preventing a spinal facet joint implant from expulsing from its implant location between a superior and an inferior vertebra. A k-wire is used in cooperation with the plate and installation tool to guide them to the desired location. The plate includes a central threaded bore situated between one or two superior bone screw or bone connection barb bores and one or two inferior bone screw or bone connection barb bores. The installation tool includes a threaded plug at one end for receipt by the plate's central threaded bore for releasably holding the plate during installation. The installation tool has a superior structure and an inferior structure that can be a cannula or tang depending on the plate's form.