13. A bone stabilization component comprising: a deflectable post mounted in a shield; the deflectable post having a mount at a proximal end; the mount extending beyond the shield; the deflectable post being configured to allow compliant deflection of the mount relative to the shield; and a connector attached to the shield and adapted to secure the shield to a bone anchor so that the deflectable post is substantially in-line with the bone anchor and the mount is exposed and adapted for connection of a bone-stabilizing rod; and wherein: the deflectable post comprises a flexible shaft located within a bore of the shield; the bore of the shield and the shaft are substantially coaxial with the shield; and a compliant sleeve is positioned within the bore of the shield between the flexible shaft and the shield.
14. The bone stabilization component of claim 13 , wherein: said shield is adapted to be secured to a bone anchor at a plurality of relative rotational positions; and said connector is adapted to secure the shield to the bone anchor in any one of the a plurality of relative rotational positions.