Variable Stiffness Hammertoe K-Wire and Methods for Use

An apparatus comprising:

• a wire having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein a first portion of the wire including the first end comprises a shape set superelastic region, and wherein a second portion of the wire including the second end comprises a straight superelastic region that is configured to return to a straight configuration after bending;
• and
• a sleeve including a lumen, wherein the first portion of the wire is removably positioned at least partially in the lumen of the sleeve, wherein the first portion of the wire is in a constrained state when the first portion of the wire is positioned at least partially in the lumen of the sleeve, wherein the first portion of the wire is substantially straight in the constrained state, wherein the first portion of the wire is in an unconstrained state when the first portion of the wire is removed from the lumen of the sleeve, and wherein the first portion of the wire has a non-zero angle with respect to the second portion of the wire in the unconstrained state.

A method comprising:

• introducing a second end of a wire into a joint, wherein a superelastic portion of the wire including the second end is configured to return to a straight configuration after bending to thereby maintain the joint in a straightened position;
• and
• cutting a first end of the wire.

A method comprising:

• introducing a second end of a wire into a joint, wherein a straight superelastic region including the second end of the wire is configured to return to a straight configuration after bending to thereby maintain the joint in a straightened position;
• and
• removing a first end of the wire from a lumen of a sleeve to transition the wire from a constrained state to an unconstrained state, wherein the first end of the wire has a non-zero angle with respect the second end of the wire in the unconstrained state.