Patent ID: 8323319

Claim:
A method for compressing or distracting portions of a spine, comprising: positioning a connecting part on a spinal rod, wherein the spinal rod is positioned along a portion of the spine, wherein the connecting part includes a first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member moveable relative to each other between a first position and a second position, the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member configured to capture the spinal rod when in the second position, and wherein at least one of the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member has an opening to receive at least one of a first end and a second end of a ligature therethrough; passing the first end of the ligature through the opening; passing the second end of the ligature through the opening to define a loop between the first end and the second end of the ligature, the loop extending from the connecting part to encircle a bone and being adjustable in length when the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member are in the first position; moving the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member relative to each other into the second position to capture the spinal rod; and securing the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member in the second position with the rod captured therebetween, the loop being fixed in length when the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member are secured in the second position with the rod therebetween.