Abstract: A vertebral column implant for stabilization and stiffening of vertebral bodies of a vertebral column comprises first bone screws and second bone screws. First rigid connecting elements, are fixed in the first receiving means of the first bone screws. Second elastic connecting elements are fixed in second receiving means of the second bone screws. Each first connecting element is connectible to a second connecting element via coupling means. The coupling means are attached in a releasable way to a second bone screw, in which an end region of a second connecting element is held. The coupling means are connectible to an end region of a first connecting element. By means of this design, a rigid region of the vertebral column implant can be decoupled in a simple way from an elastic stabilizing region of the vertebral column implant.

Abstract: An instrument set for inserting a stabilization system into a vertebral column of a body incorporates means for inserting anchoring elements (1) into the respective vertebral bodies (2), means for inserting a stabilizing rod (24) into the fixed anchoring elements (1) and means (38) for fitting and bracing of the locking devices onto the anchoring elements. The means for inserting the anchoring elements (1) have a head and a shaft. The head is so constructed that it can be inserted into the U-shaped head part of the anchoring element (1). The shaft is equipped with first guide means, along which pliers (14) equipped with second guide means (20) are guided onto the head part of the anchoring element (1) and coupled with it. The means for inserting the rod and the means (38) for fitting and bracing the locking devices are equipped with further guide means (42), which interact with the second guide means (20) of the pliers.