An orthopedic system includes a universal joint. The universal joint includes a ball from which a stem extends, a housing, and a connecting piece. The housing includes a first portion and a second portion that together define a spherical internal volume that is sized and configured to receive the ball therein. The first portion defines a first opening through which at least one of a portion of the ball or a portion of the stem extends, and the second portion defining a second opening therethrough. The connecting piece includes a first threaded stem portion, a second threaded stem portion, and a middle portion disposed between the first and second threaded stem portions. The first threaded stem portion is sized and configured to be received within the second opening defined by the second portion and to contact the ball to generate a frictional interference to lock the universal joint.
