Patent ID: 8109977

Claim:
A method of providing spinal fixation, comprising the steps of: advancing a first fixation device that comprises a body having a first portion that forms a bone anchor and a second portion that forms a proximal end into a first vertebra; advancing a second fixation device that comprises a body having a first portion that forms a bone anchor and a second portion that forms a proximal end into a second vertebra; coupling a first portion of a fixation structure to the first fixation device; coupling a second portion of the fixation structure to the second fixation device; securing the first portion of the fixation structure to the first vertebra by advancing a first proximal anchor distally along the body of the first fixation device and proximally retracting the body of the first fixation device with respect to the first proximal anchor; and securing the second portion of the fixation structure to the second vertebra by advancing a second proximal anchor distally along the body of the second fixation device and proximally retracting the body of the second fixation device with respect to the second proximal anchor.