A low profile orthopedic device (10) is used to fix and stabilize bones to correct anomalies in skeletal structure occurring naturally or by trauma. Bone screws (13) are screwed into bones by application of torque. Clamps (12) are movably attached to the screws. Each clamp includes a compression ring (14) having a skirt (26) with spaced inner annular ridges (20,20) that engage annular bulges (19,21) on the exterior walls (24) of clamp (12) when in the closed position. A connecting rod (11) connects several screws through slots (23) in the clamps. The clamps are tightened to hold the rod and the heads (15) of the bone screws in a pre-selected position by linear movement of the compression rings.
