Vertebral fixing system

A bone fixing system, comprising:

• a connector having at least first and second openings in opposing faces of the connector, and a passage extending transverse to the openings, the passage configured to receive a rod therein;
• a flexible ligature extendable through the openings, the flexible ligature comprising first and second ends and an intermediate portion therebetween, the ligature extendable through the connector such that the first and second ends extend from the first opening and a loop portion formed by the intermediate portion extends from the second opening;
• and
• an adjustable locking member configured to threadingly engage the connector in a variety of positions to secure the flexible ligature to the connector, wherein the adjustable locking member presses first and second portions of the flexible ligature simultaneously against the connector when the flexible ligature is secured to the connector;
• wherein the first and second ends extend from the first opening of the connector directly adjacent one another.

A method for engaging a bone, comprising:

• inserting a portion of a flexible ligature through a connector such that the flexible ligature is inserted through a first opening, out a second opening of the connector, back through the second opening and out the first opening to form a loop extending from the second opening with first and second free ends of the flexible ligature extending from the first opening;
• introducing a rod into a passage of the connector transverse to the first and second openings;
• engaging first and second portions of the flexible ligature with an inner wall of the connector;
• tensioning the flexible ligature by pulling on the first and second free ends of the flexible ligature relative to the connector;
• and
• engaging an adjustable locking member with the connector to simultaneously secure the first and second portions of the flexible ligature relative to the connector.