Patent ID: 7604654

Claim:
A method for locking relative positions of first and second vertebrae, the method comprising: providing access to a first stabilizer comprising a hollow first member attached to the first vertebra, a hollow second member attached to the second vertebra and telescopically engaged with_the first member such that the second member is translatable toward and away from the first member to permit stabilized motion of the second vertebra with respect to the first vertebra, and a first substantially elongate resilient member positioned within a cavity defined by engagement of the first and second members along a longitudinal axis of the cavity, such that the first and second members cooperate to keep the first resilient member substantially straight; and inserting a first locking component through a plurality of apertures formed in the first member and into contact with a portion of the second member disposed within the first member to lock the first stabilizer to substantially prevent translation of the second member toward and away from the first member, wherein the inserting step includes placing prongs of a clip in the apertures.