A clamp assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw cooperatively positioned to receive the fixation element. A gate is displaceable relative to the first jaw and moveable between an open condition where the gate and the first jaw form an opening of a first size allowing introduction of the fixation element between the first and second jaws and a locking condition where the opening formed by the gate and the first jaw has a second size that prevents removal of the fixation element out from between the first and second jaws.
