An artificial intervertebral disc (10) includes housing members (12,14) including spaced inner surfaces (16,18) facing each other and oppositely facing outer surfaces (20,22) for engaging spaced apart vertebral surfaces. Bearing surfaces (24,26) extend from each of the inner surfaces for engaging each other while allowing for low friction and compression resistant movement of the housing members relative to each other while under compression. Load sharing pads (32,34) are disposed between the inner surfaces and about at least a portion of the bearing surfaces for sharing absorption compressive loads with the bearing surfaces while limiting the relative movement of the housing members.
