Patent ID: 7785350

Claim:
A method for assembling a connecting element for stabilizing a spinal column segment, comprising: providing a first end member with a first rod portion and a first end wall at an end of the first rod portion, the first rod portion including a bore extending therealong that opens at the first end wall; providing a second end member with a second rod portion and a second end wall at an end of the second rod portion, the second rod portion including a bore extending therealong that opens at the second end wall; positioning the first rod portion and the second rod portion along respective ones of first and second axial extensions extending alone a longitudinal axis of a bumper assembly until the first and second end walls engage respective ends of a bumper portion between the first and second axial extensions and an end of each of the axial extensions remote from the bumper portion is positioned adjacent a respective outer end of the first and second rod portions remote from the corresponding end wall of the respective rod portion, wherein the bumper portion includes an outer wall extending between the ends of the bumper portion; and pivoting the first and second end members relative to one another by compressing the bumper portion between the first and second end walls and flexing at least one of the first and second axial extensions relative to the bumper portion while radially constraining the outer wall of the bumper portion about the longitudinal axis within at least one of the first and second end members, wherein: each of the rod portions extends from the respective end wall to an outer end of the rod portion along the longitudinal axis opposite the end wall; each of the axial extensions extends from the bumper portion to an end adjacent a respective outer end of the rod portions; the ends of the axial extensions are each engaged to a constraining member, the constraining members each being engaged with the respective outer end of the rod portions; and the bores of the rod portions each open at the outer end of the respective rod portion and the constraining members each include an inner sleeve positioned in the opening of the axial bore of the respective rod portion and an outer sleeve defining a lip in abutting engagement with the outer end of the respective rod portion.