An anchoring element, such as a bone screw, may comprise an at least partially threaded shaft having a core and a longitudinal channel. An elongated element movable with the channel may be a tensioning element, for example affixed to the distal portion, and/or a rigid element. The core may have one or more lateral cut-outs, which may be V-shaped, at the distal portion. Each cut-out may be backed by an effective hinge that may be displaced from the longitudinal axis, and may have a transverse slit between the hinge and an opposite surface of the core from the cut-out. Upon axial movement of the elongated element, e.g. toward a proximal end of the shaft, the distal portion may deflect to an angle from the shafts longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the anchoring element may be pre-biased to deflect and maintained straight by a rigid element until axial movement of the rigid element.
