Patent ID: 8888817

Claim:
A connecting element comprising: a rigid first end portion configured to engage a first anchor; an opposite rigid second end portion configured to engage a second anchor that is spaced apart from the first anchor; a rigid third portion positioned between the first and second end portions configured to engage a third anchor positioned between the first and second anchors; a first flexible portion positioned between the first and third portions; and a second flexible portion positioned between the second and third portions, wherein at least one of the first and second flexible portions have an outer surface that is free of any grooves or cuts, wherein a first coupling member extends through the first flexible portion and into the rigid first end portion and the third portion, the first coupling member including a first end fixed to one of the rigid first end portion and the third portion and a second end axially moveable in the other of the rigid first end portion and the third portion to allow the rigid first end portion and the third portion to move relative to one another along an axis defined by the connecting element.