Spinal support members having varying stiffnesses are disclosed. In one
embodiment, an elongated spinal prosthetic includes a pair of curved
elongated portions. The portions are formed of materials having different
stiffness characteristics such that the stiffness of the prosthetic
varies along its length. In another embodiment, an elongated spinal
implant includes a pair of threadedly engaged elongated sections. The
first section is formed of a first material having a first rigidity. The
second section has an inner portion formed of the first material and an
outer portion formed of a second material. The second material is less
rigid than the first material. In another embodiment, a modular spinal
rod is provided. The modular spinal rod includes a pair of connectable
rod portions with different stiffness characteristics. In yet another
embodiment, a kit for a modular spinal rod includes a plurality of
connectable modular rod portions having different stiffness
characteristics.