A clamp includes an opening structurally arranged to receive a fixation element with a cam driven jaw. The clamping assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw disposed relative to the first jaw. The first and second jaws may be cooperatively positioned to receive the fixation element. A sliding cam is configured to displace relative the first and second jaws. The sliding cam may be associated with the first and second jaws to force the first jaw to vertically displace relative to the second jaw. In one aspect, the sliding cam is structured to vertically displace the first jaw enough to permit an external fixation element to be received between the first and second jaws.
