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

A method for the pretreatment of an intervertebral disc (D) prior to the introduction of a disc prosthesis or implant includes removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus (N) of the intervertebral disc (D) to expose at least a portion of the endplate (E1, E2) of an adjacent vertebrae (V1, V2) to the disc (D). A fluent treatment material is then injected into the disc space (C) to come into contact with the portion of the endplate (E1, E2) to accommodate a disc prosthesis, implant or graft subsequently introduced into the disc space (C). Different fluent treatment materials are provided that depend upon the condition of the vertebral endplates (E1, E2).