An apparatus and method for locating the position of a spinal implant in an intradiscal space patient during surgery, comprising a spinal implant formed of radiolucent material and a releasably attached inserter comprising a positioning element including thereon a marker of material more radiopaque than the material of the spinal implant. The positioning element extends into the implant such that the marker is positioned at a predetermined location within the implant, the positioning element with the radiopaque maker being removable from the spinal implant after insertion. In a particular method of locating the position of the spinal implant, the spinal implant is inserted from the lateral approach.