An apparatus to facilitate securing a spinal rod to an anchoring device, the anchoring device having an open end and a locking cap, the apparatus comprising:a bodyan anchor engaging portion located at a distal end of the bodya rod persuader comprising a first and a second section, the second section being freely rotatable with respect to the first section and having a connecting element for releasable attachment to the locking cap anda locking shaft adapted for engagement with the second sectionwherein rotational actuation of the first section causes longitudinal advancement of the locking cap toward the spinal rod to urge the spinal rod toward the open end of the anchoring device andwherein rotational actuation of the locking shaft causes rotational movement of the second section thereby enabling rotational advancement and engagement of the locking cap to the open end of the anchoring device.
