A spinal screw for positioning within bone for use in surgical procedures, the spinal screw having a head and a shaft, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A through-hole extends from the head through the shaft to the distal end of the shaft. The through-hole defines a longitudinal axis of the spinal screw and a spring is positioned within the shaft. A retractable tip element is also positioned within the through hole of the shaft and is operationally coupled to the spring.