A steerable system and methods for accessing bone. A control mechanism includes a handle configured to be detachably secured to a trocar. The handle includes a drive shaft coupled to a sliding shaft such that relative rotation is prevented and relative translation is permitted. A rod having a preformed bend is removably disposed within the cannula. The rod is prevented from rotating relative to the drive shaft such that a deflection plane of the preformed bend is predefined relative to each of the sliding shaft, the handle, and the trocar when the handle is coupled to the trocar. Rotating a sliding ring of the handle translates the drive shaft to advance the rod beyond the trocar such that the preformed bend extends laterally out of the trocar in the deflection plane. The rod may be removed from the cannula, and material may be injected through the cannula.
