Devices and methods for creating wedge-shaped recesses

1. A method of creating a wedge-shaped recess in a bone, the method comprising:

creating a cylindrical recess within a bone, the cylindrical recess comprising cylindrically-shaped side walls and a bottom surface, wherein the cylindrical recess comprises a longitudinal axis;

positioning a tool within the cylindrical recess, wherein a distal end of the tool comprises a tapered end, the tapered end of the tool being sized and configured to be placed within the cylindrical recess; and

radially expanding an articulating cutter of the tool and rotating the tool to remove additional bone along the cylindrical side walls and to create a wedge-shaped recess;

wherein the articulating cutter is expanded radially outwardly at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis; and

wherein, after the wedge-shaped recess is formed, a diameter of the bottom surface of the wedge-shaped recess is larger than a diameter of a surface opening of the wedge-shaped recess.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tool is cannulated, and wherein the tool is positioned over a guide pin to place a distal end of the tool near a targeted location of the recess.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the diameter of the bottom surface to the diameter the surface opening is between 1.05 and 1.3.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the diameter of the bottom surface to the diameter the surface opening is at least 1.1.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the bottom surface is 5% to 25% larger than the diameter the surface opening.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the recess is located within or near at least one of a toe, finger, ankle, knee, shoulder, hip or other joint.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the surface opening is 5 mm to 20 mm in diameter.

8. A method of creating a wedge-shaped recess in a bone, the method comprising:

creating a cylindrical recess, the cylindrical recess comprising cylindrically-shaped side walls and a bottom surface, wherein the cylindrical recess comprises a longitudinal axis; and

creating a wedge-shaped recess by removing additional bone from the cylindrically-shaped side walls;

wherein creating the wedge-shaped recess comprises actuating an articulating cutter of a tool and rotating the tool;

wherein actuating an articulating cutter comprises radially expanding the articulating cutter radially outwardly at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis; and

wherein, after the wedge-shaped recess is formed, a diameter of the bottom surface of the wedge-shaped recess is larger than a diameter of a surface opening of the wedge-shaped recess.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the tool is cannulated, and wherein the tool is positioned over a guide pin to place a distal end of the tool near a targeted location of the recess.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein a ratio of the diameter of the bottom surface to the diameter the surface opening is between 1.05 and 1.3.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein a ratio of the diameter of the bottom surface to the diameter the surface opening is at least 1.1.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the diameter of the bottom surface is 5% to 25% larger than the diameter the surface opening.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the recess is located within or near at least one of a toe, finger, ankle, knee, shoulder, hip or other joint.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the surface opening is 5 mm to 20 mm in diameter.