damage or degeneration of the disc the vertebral body replacement member of the present invention generally is useful to replace a vertebral disc that has degenerated due to traumatic injury vertebral displacement disease i e autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis etc or any other pathological condition of the spinal column that may injure or shift the intervetebral discs the vertebral body replacement member of the present invention provides support to the adjacent vertebrae of the patient 39 s spine to help maintain the separation between the vertebrae while also preserving the natural curvature of the spine and further enabling regenerative bone growth and adjustment of the intervertebral spacing between the adjacent vertebrae to accommodate growth or expansion therebetween it is generally contemplated that the vertebral body replacement member of the present invention can be made from any bio compatible or physically inert material or combination of such materials having the mechanical strength capable of maintaining the intervetebral space between adjacent vertebrae as indicated in fig2 and 3 without impinging upon nerves and or restricting movement and further bone growth or regeneration of the spinal column discs adjacent the intervetebral space in which the present invention is mounted examples of such materials can include bone such as bone sections from a femur or other bones of the patient or from donors metal materials such as titanium titanium alloys stainless steel chrome cobalt and other similar materials as well as various polymeric materials such as methyl methacrylate mma urethane polyacetal material reinforced polymers such as carbon fiber or polyether keytone polycarbonates polypropylene polyamides and.