the aperture 44 the annulus stent 10 can then be rotated inside the disc annulus 42 such that the upper section 14 can be held back through the aperture 44 the lateral extensions 20 and 22 are then allowed to expand with the upper surface 28 contouring to the inside surface of the disc annulus 42 the upper section 14 can be positioned within or proximate to the aperture 44 in the subannular space such that the annulus stent 10 may be secured to the disc annulus using means well known in the art in an alternative method of securing the annulus stent 10 in the aperture 44 as shown in fig9 a first surgical screw 50 and second surgical screw 52 with eyeholes 53 located at the top of the screws 50 and 52 are inserted into the vertebral bodies illustratively depicted as adjacent vertebrae 54 and 56 after insertion of the annulus stent 10 into the aperture 44 a suture 40 is passed down though the disc annulus 42 adjacent to the aperture 44 through the eye hole 53 on the first screw 50 then back up through the disc annulus 42 and through the orifice 18 on the annulus stent 10 this is repeated for the second screw 52 after which the suture 40 is secured one or more surgical sutures 40 are placed at about equal distances along the sides of the aperture 44 in the disc annulus 42 reapproximation or closure of the aperture 44 is accomplished by tying the sutures 40 in such a fashion that the sides of the aperture 44 are drawn together the reapproximation or closure of the aperture 44 enhances the natural healing.