a coupling mechanism 26 sized for coupling to the setscrew recess 308 of the polyaxial screw head 304 coupling of the alignment mechanism 20 coupling mechanism 26 to the setscrew recess 308 may occur after insertion of the engagement mechanism 10 into the drive feature 306 of the shank of the polyaxial screw in use during a surgical procedure the engagement mechanisms is first deployed such that the drive feature 306 of the shank 302 of the polyaxial screw is properly engaged by the hex tip 18 of the engagement mechanism during insertion of the engagement mechanism 10 to engage the drive feature 306 of the shank of the polyaxial screw 302 the alignment mechanism 20 is oriented in a retracted position wherein the first collar 22 engages a second stop position 14 of the engagement mechanism upon engagement of the engagement mechanism with the drive feature 306 of the shank 302 of the polyaxial screw the first collar 22 may be moved to engage a first stop position 12 engagement of this first stop may occur following depression of a spring loaded release button 70 associated with the first collar 22 such that the first collar 22 is initially disengaged from the second stop 14 and is capable of moving to a first stop 12 position the orientation of the first collar 22 over the first.