Abstract: A connection assembly connects a bone engaging fastener to an elongate member. In one example, the assembly includes a fastener connector that has two integrally formed portions. The first fastener connector portion is for location adjacent to the bone and has an opening through which the fastener can extend and into the bone. The second fastener connector portion has one part of a ball and socket connection. The assembly includes a member connector that has two integrally formed portions. The first member connector portion has another part of the ball and socket connection engaged with the part of the ball and socket connection of the fastener connector. The second member connector portion has an aperture for receiving the elongate member. In a specific example, the opening in the fastener connector is an elongate slot. An associated method is used to connect the bone engaging fastener to the elongate member.

Abstract: An apparatus (10, 110) for use in retaining vertebrae (V) of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship includes a longitudinal member (12, 112) having a longitudinal axis (13, 113) extendable along the spinal column. A hook (14, 114) connects the longitudinal member (12, 112) to a vertebra (V) of the spinal column. The hook (14, 114) is connectable with the longitudinal member (12, 112) and engageable with the vertebra (V). The hook (14, 114) has a first portion (16, 116) which extends adjacent a first surface (64, 164) of the vertebra (V) when the hook is connected with the vertebra. A second portion (18, 118) of the hook (14, 114) extends adjacent a second surface (62, 162) of the vertebra (V) when the hook is connected with the vertebra so that the vertebra is received between the first and second portions (14, 114 and 18, 118).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in retaining vertebrae (12) of a spinal column (14) in a desired spatial relationship. The apparatus (10) comprises a spinal rod (16) for extending along the spinal column (14) and a hook shaped coupling member (24). The spinal rod (16) is laterally insertable into the hook shaped coupling member (24). The apparatus (10) further comprises a part for attaching to at least one vertebra (12) and a connecting element (66) for extending laterally between the hook shaped coupling member (24) and the part. The connecting element (66) has a first end (70) for attaching to the hook shaped coupling member (24) and a second end (72) for attaching to the part. The hook shaped coupling member (24) is rotatable in a first plane relative to the first end (70) of the connecting element (66) to enable a change in an angular position of the spinal rod (16) relative to the connecting element (66).

Abstract: An apparatus (10, 110) for use in retaining vertebrae (V) of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship includes a longitudinal member (12, 112) having a longitudinal axis (13, 113) extendable along the spinal column. A hook (14, 114) connects the longitudinal member (12, 112) to a vertebra (V) of the spinal column. The hook (14, 114) is connectable with the longitudinal member (12, 112) and engageable with the vertebra (V). The hook (14, 114) has a first portion (16, 116) which extends adjacent a first surface (64, 164) of the vertebra (V) when the hook is connected with the vertebra. A second portion (18, 118) of the hook (14, 114) extends adjacent a second surface (62, 162) of the vertebra (V) when the hook is connected with the vertebra so that the vertebra is received between the first and second portions (14, 114 and 18, 118).