FLEXIBLE BONE REAMER

1 . A bone reamer comprising:

a shaft including a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible portion disposed between the proximal and distal ends; and

a cutting element carried by the shaft, the cutting element including a cutting surface facing the distal end of the shaft such that the distal end is offset from the cutting surface.

2 . The bone reamer of claim 1 , wherein the cutting element includes a plurality of radially extending cutting arms.

3 . The bone reamer of claim 2 , wherein the cutting element includes a propeller-shaped profile.

4 . The bone reamer of claim 1 , wherein the cutting element includes circular profile.

5 . The bone reamer of claim 1 , wherein the shaft defines a cannula.

6 . The bone reamer of claim 1 , wherein the cannula includes a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

7 . The bone reamer of claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the second portion is aligned with the flexible portion of the shaft.

8 . The bone reamer of claim 1 , wherein the cutting element is monolithically formed with the shaft.

9 . A bone reaming system comprising:

a bone reamer including a shaft and a cutting element carried by the shaft, the shaft including a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible portion disposed between the proximal and distal ends; and

a guide including body portion having a boss extending along a first longitudinal axis, a hub extending along a second longitudinal axis, and a cannula formed within the boss and the hub and extending along the first longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis forming an angle α with the first longitudinal axis.

10 . The bone reaming system of claim 9 , the guide further comprising a flange portion supported by the body portion, the flange portion including a first surface extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second axis.

11 . The bone reaming system of claim 10 , wherein the flange portion includes a second surface opposing the first surface, the second surface defining a substantially spherical profile.

12 . The bone reaming system of claim 9 , wherein the hub includes a tapered outer surface.

13 . The bone reaming system of claim 9 , wherein the body portion includes a channel disposed about the hub, the channel extending in a direction substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis.

14 . The bone reaming system of claim 13 , wherein the channel includes a stop surface extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis.

15 . The bone reamer of claim 9 , wherein the shaft defines a cannula.

16 . The bone reamer of claim 15 , wherein the cannula includes a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

17 . The bone reamer of claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the second portion is aligned with the flexible portion of the shaft.

18 . The bone reamer of claim 9 , wherein the cutting element is monolithically formed with the shaft.

19 . The bone reamer of claim 9 , wherein the cutting element includes a cutting surface facing the distal end of the shaft such that the distal end is offset from the cutting surface

20 . A method of reaming a bone, the method comprising:

providing a reaming guide having a first portion extending along a first longitudinal axis and a second portion extending along a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis defining a non-parallel angle with the first longitudinal axis;

anchoring the first portion of the reaming guide to the bone;

coupling a reamer to the second portion of the reaming guide, the reamer having a shaft and a cutting element carried by the shaft;

bending the shaft portion; and

rotating the reamer about the hub portion.