Surgical implant device for the translation and fusion of a facet joint of the spine

The present invention provides a surgical implant device and method for the translation/distraction and subsequent stabilization/fusion of a facet joint of a spine, including: a body that is selectively disposed at least partially between articulating surfaces of the facet joint; and one or more protruding structures disposed about the body, wherein, when the body is selectively rotated, the one or more protruding surfaces are configured to engage the articulating surfaces of the facet joint and move them with respect to one another. Optionally, the surgical implant device also includes a joint-spanning structure coupled to the body, wherein the joint-spanning structure is configured to substantially fill a space between the articulating surfaces of the facet joint and hold it in a moved configuration.