Compound spinal rods function as part of the dynamic stabilization prosthesis to provide load sharing with motion preservation as part of a dynamic stabilization prosthesis. Compound spinal rods are used to span from one vertebra to an adjacent vertebra. Compound spinal rods include a first rod connected by a linkage to a second rod. The linkage allows for movement of the first rod relative to the second rod. The movement permitted by the compound spinal rod is designed to enhance the ability of a dynamic stabilization prosthesis to more closely approximate the natural kinematics of the spine without impairing stabilization of the spine.