An articulating surgical implement (1) comprising: an elongate body (2) having a proximal end (4) and a distal end (5) and a longitudinal axis (6) a grip (7) on the proximal end for holding the surgical implement a surgical implement head (8) formed on the distal end of the elongate body, and having surgical implement jaws (10, 11), the surgical implement head having a first joint (13) that allows the surgical implement jaws to move relative to each other to open and close for gripping or cutting a second joint (12) on the distal end of the elongate body for changing the angle of the surgical implement head relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body a mechanism comprising a control lever (35), a control rod (39) and a linkage arm (40) for changing the angle of the surgical implement head relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body through an angular range of movement by pivoting about an axis of rotation of the second joint and a mechanism comprising a pulley wheel (50) and a push/pull wire (51) for opening and closing the surgical implement jaws. The surgical implement head may be a rongeur and is operable at 90 degrees to the elongate body in either an upbite or downbite position. It has an angular range of movement of 180 degrees. A desired angle of the surgical implement head is selected by a user, for example for tissue removal from a target site.
