Patent ID: 8162994

Claim:
A method of stabilizing a portion of a human spine, comprising: securing a first bone fastener to a first vertebra; securing a second bone fastener to a second vertebra; coupling a first portion of an elongate member to the first bone fastener, comprising: coupling an adjustable member to the first bone fastener, wherein the adjustable member is coupled to the first portion of the elongate member, and wherein the adjustable member is capable of translating along a length of the first portion of the elongate member to adjust an effective length of the elongate member spanning the distance between the first and second bone fastener, and wherein the adjustable member comprises a thread configured to engage a complementary thread disposed along a length of the elongate member; coupling a second portion of an elongate member to the second bone fastener, comprising: disposing a first damper on an interior side of the second bone fastener facing the first bone fastener; and disposing a second damper on an exterior side of the second bone fastener opposite the interior side and facing away from of the first bone fastener; and rotating the adjustable member to adjust a position of the adjustable member along a length of the first portion of the elongate member such that the elongate member has a desired effective length for spanning a distance between the first and second bone fastener.