A spinal stabilization system includes a connecting rod and a bone screw. The connecting rod includes an elongate rounded section, an elongate head portion, and a neck portion connecting the elongate rounded section with the elongate head portion. The bone screw includes a head portion defining a slot, a shank extending longitudinally from the head portion, and a set screw configured to secure the connecting rod in the slot. The slot includes a leading end portion configured to receive the elongate rounded section of the connecting rod and a trailing end portion configured to threadably engage the set screw, wherein the slot is flared such that elongate rounded section of the connecting rod is pivotable about the leading end portion of the slot.
