Patent ID: 8728124

Claim:
A method of supporting vertebral members, the method comprising the steps of: coupling a rod coupler to an elongated spinal rod extending along a longitudinal axis, the rod being previously secured in proximity to the vertebral members, the rod coupler including a channel formed between first and second walls, the channel sized to accept the spinal rod in a lateral direction between the first and second walls; adjusting the rod coupler along the longitudinal axis to a desired position on the spinal rod; adjusting the rod coupler about the longitudinal axis to a desired angular position about the spinal rod; securing the rod coupler to the spinal rod; coupling an extender rod including an elongated rod body to the rod coupler such that the rod body extends parallel to the longitudinal axis; adjusting the extender rod about an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis to a desired angular position relative to the rod coupler; securing the extender rod to the rod coupler; and securing the rod body to a vertebral body.