A vertebral cleat and a vertebral support system employing the vertebral cleat is provided. Preferably, the vertebral cleat includes a base member having a superior and an inferior surface an elongate keel portion having a cutting edge thereon depending from the inferior surface of the base member and a spike portion depending from the inferior surface of the base member, the spike portion having a height that is greater than a height of the elongate keel portion. There is also provided a tool for grasping and implanting the vertebral cleat in a plurality of insertion configurations.
