A medical navigation system having a surgical pointer is provided. The surgical pointer is used in the medical navigation system. The surgical pointer comprises an external sheath and an internal tool having a proximal end and a distal end. The internal tool is contained at least partially within the external sheath. The internal tool has a tip at the distal end that extends beyond the external sheath. The tip engages a surface of a patient. The internal tool further has a tracking marker trackable by the navigation system. The surgical pointer further has a linking component contained at least partially within the external sheath and interfacing with the internal tool. The linking component is configured to control pressure exerted by the tip on the surface of the patient.
