A connecting rod for an external fixation device, the connecting rod defining a longitudinal axis and comprising: a telescopic housing comprising: a housing body having an axial bore defined therethrough, a first joint coupled to an end portion of the housing body; a first rotating member received in the first joint, wherein the first rotating member is operable to rotate relative to the first joint about a first axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod, and the first rotating member comprises a first connection mechanism operable to releasably couple the first rotating member to a first fixator ring; an adjustment sleeve slidably disposed within the axial bore, the adjustment sleeve and the telescopic housing being releasably coupled by a fastener; and an externally threaded elongated member threadably coupled the adjustment sleeve, the elongated member comprising: a threaded rod, a second joint coupled to an end portion of the threaded rod; a second rotating member received in the second joint, wherein the second rotating member is operable to rotate relative to the second joint about a second axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod, and the second rotating member comprises a second connection mechanism operable to releasably couple the second rotating member to a second fixator ring, characterized in that the first and second joints each comprise a socket, the respective rotating member comprises a ball member, and the ball member is disposed in the socket, the socket comprises a plurality of recessed portions defined in a wall of each socket allowing for increased range of motion of the ball member in the socket. a telescopic housing comprising: a housing body having an axial bore defined therethrough, a first joint coupled to an end portion of the housing body; a first rotating member received in the first joint, wherein the first rotating member is operable to rotate relative to the first joint about a first axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod, and the first rotating member comprises a first connection mechanism operable to releasably couple the first rotating member to a first fixator ring; a housing body having an axial bore defined therethrough, a first joint coupled to an end portion of the housing body; a first rotating member received in the first joint, wherein an adjustment sleeve slidably disposed within the axial bore, the adjustment sleeve and the telescopic housing being releasably coupled by a fastener; and an externally threaded elongated member threadably coupled the adjustment sleeve, the elongated member comprising: a threaded rod, a second joint coupled to an end portion of the threaded rod; a second rotating member received in the second joint, wherein the second rotating member is operable to rotate relative to the second joint about a second axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod, and the second rotating member comprises a second connection mechanism operable to releasably couple the second rotating member to a second fixator ring, characterized in that the first and second joints each comprise a socket, the respective rotating member comprises a ball member, and the ball member is disposed in the socket, the socket comprises a plurality of recessed portions defined in a wall of each socket allowing for increased range of motion of the ball member in the socket. a threaded rod, a second joint coupled to an end portion of the threaded rod; a second rotating member received in the second joint, wherein the second rotating member is operable to rotate relative to the second joint about a second axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod, and the second rotating member comprises a second connection mechanism operable to releasably couple the second rotating member to a second fixator ring, characterized in that the first and second joints each comprise a socket, the respective rotating member comprises a ball member, and the ball member is disposed in the socket, the socket comprises a plurality of recessed portions defined in a wall of each socket allowing for increased range of motion of the ball member in the socket.