Apparatus for removing an osteophyte

An apparatus for removing an osteophyte from a bone in a patient's body, the bone including a first surface and a second surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a means for removing the osteophyte from the bone;
• and
• a means, coupled to the removing means, for positioning the removing means relative to at least the first surface of the bone;
• wherein the positioning means includes a generally planar surface and further includes a means for limiting the position of the removing means relative to at least the second surface of the bone, and the removing means includes a non-smooth surface extending at least one of arcuately and angularly relative to the generally planar surface.

An apparatus for removing an osteophyte from a bone including a first surface and a second surface, the apparatus comprising:

• an elongated member including a generally planar smooth surface and a blunt end;
• and
• a burr including a generally convex non-smooth surface extending from the generally planar smooth surface of the elongated member at a location proximal to the blunt end, and further including a smooth surface facing generally toward the blunt end of the elongated member;
• wherein the generally planar smooth surface of the elongated member is positioned to guide against the first surface of the bone and the generally convex non-smooth surface of the burr is positioned to rasp the second surface of the bone.

An apparatus for removing an osteophyte from a bone in a patient's body, the bone including a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a means for removing the osteophyte from the first surface of the bone;
• a means, coupled to the removing means, for positioning the removing means relative to at least the second surface of the bone;
• and
• a means, coupled to the positioning means, for limiting a position of the removing means relative to at least the third surface of the bone.