System and method for the pretreatment of the endplates of an intervertebral disc

A method for the pre-treatment of an intervertebral disc prior to the introduction of a disc prosthesis or implant includes removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc to expose at least a portion of the endplate of an adjacent vertebra to the disc. A fluent treatment material is then injected into the disc space to come into contact with the portion of the endplate. The fluent treatment material is operable to prepare the portion of the endplate to accommodate a disc prosthesis, implant or graft subsequently introduced into the disc space. Different fluent treatment materials are provided that depend upon the condition of the vertebral endplates.