Spinal distraction system

1. A method for distracting vertebrae, comprising:

inserting a first set of a plurality of fasteners into adjacent vertebrae in a first region;

inserting a fixated rod into the first set of the plurality of fasteners;

inserting a caudad end of the fixated rod into a single bearing connector;

inserting a second set of a plurality of fasteners into adjacent vertebrae in a second region;

loading a stop ring and a spring onto a sliding rod;

sliding an end of the sliding rod into the single bearing connector so that the spring is disposed between the single bearing connector and the stop ring;

inserting an opposite end of the sliding rod into the second set of the plurality of fasteners and

sliding the stop ring along a length of the sliding rod to a location spaced from the second set of the plurality of fasteners to compress the spring.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bearing connector includes a set screw, a bearing and a housing, wherein the housing has a top surface and a bottom surface that define a hollow.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the hollow is configured and dimensioned to receive the fixated rod.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bearing connector includes a first bore that extends from a first beveled side surface to a second beveled side surface.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the first bore is configured and dimensioned to receive a bearing.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the bearing includes a second bore configured and dimensioned to receive the sliding rod.

7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the first bore includes a concave inner surface.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spring abuts a beveled side surface of the bearing connector.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising extending a sleeve over at least a portion of a length of the spring.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising locking the fixation rod into the first plurality of fasteners.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising locking the sliding rod into the second set of plurality of fasteners.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising locking the stop ring.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising bending the sliding rod before the stop ring and the spring are loaded.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the caudad end of the fixation rod is inserted into a hollow of the bearing connector.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cephalad end of the sliding rod is inserted into a bearing of the bearing connector.

16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising compressing the spring a second time after a period of time to provide continuous distraction of the vertebrae.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bearing connector provides continuous alignment with the sliding rod and sagittal motion.