Patent ID: 8052727

Claim:
A method of inserting a spinal stabilization system into a patient, the spinal stabilization system including a flexible element configured to be secured to first and second anchor members within the patient's body, each of the first and second anchor members having a housing including an open slot defined between opposing legs of the housing, the method comprising: coupling the flexible element with a sheath; inserting the sheath and the flexible element through a first location on the patient's skin and along a path through the patient's body generally toward the second anchor member simultaneously; retracting the sheath to expose a first portion of the flexible element within the patient's body; positioning the exposed first portion of the flexible element in the slot of the second anchor member; advancing a spacer over the flexible element such that the spacer is positioned between the first and second anchor members after the first portion of the flexible element is positioned in the slot of the second anchor member; retracting the sheath to expose a second portion of the flexible element within the patient's body; and after advancing the spacer over the flexible element to a position between the first and second anchor members, positioning the exposed second portion of the flexible element in the slot of the first anchor member.