Patent ID: 8206422

Claim:
A method of installing a vertebral stabilization system along a spinal segment of a patient through an incision, the vertebral stabilization system including a flexible member, a polymeric member, a first flange abutting a first end of the polymeric member and a second flange abutting a second end of the polymeric member, and a first annular hub extending from the first flange and a second annular hub extending from the second flange, the flexible member extending from the first hub, through a lumen of the first flange, through a lumen of the polymeric member, through a lumen of the second flange, and to the second flange, the method comprising: with a first end of the flexible member secured to the second annular hub, intra-operatively tensioning the flexible member between the first annular hub and the second annular hub prior to inserting the flexible member and the polymeric member through the incision of the patient; while intra-operatively tensioning the flexible member, seating a first threaded securing element within a threaded aperture of the first annular hub to secure the tensioned flexible member between the first annular hub and the second annular hub; inserting the tensioned flexible member and the polymeric member through the incision of the patient to the spinal segment; and installing the vertebral stabilization system at a first vertebral level of the spinal segment between a first vertebral fastener secured to a first vertebra and a second vertebral fastener secured to a second vertebra such that the first flange is positioned adjacent a saddle of the first vertebral fastener, the first hub is disposed within the saddle of the first vertebral fastener, the second flange is positioned adjacent a saddle of the second vertebral fastener, and the second hub is disposed within the saddle of the second vertebral fastener.