A fixation device, comprising: an elongated element (1, 100) extending along a central axis (2, 102), having a total length L and including: a proximal section (5, 105) formed of a material that is substantially non-absorbent of electromagnetic radiation within a preselected wavelength range; a distal section (3, 103) formed of a material that is substantially non-absorbent of electromagnetic radiation within the preselected wavelength range, the distal section including a pointed distal tip (10, 110) at a distal-most point along the central axis (2, 102), the pointed distal tip (10, 110) configured to be impacted through a cortex of the bone; and a middle section (4, 104) axially arranged between the proximal and distal sections, the middle section (4, 104) formed of a material that is substantially absorbent of electromagnetic radiation within the preselected wavelength range, wherein the elongated element (1, 100) is configured to transform, in response to an application of electromagnetic radiation within the preselected wavelength range, from: a first insertion configuration, to a second activated configuration, in which the middle section (4, 104) softens and melts in response to the application of the electromagnetic radiation. an elongated element (1, 100) extending along a central axis (2, 102), having a total length L and including: a proximal section (5, 105) formed of a material that is substantially non-absorbent of electromagnetic radiation within a preselected wavelength range; a distal section (3, 103) formed of a material that is substantially non-absorbent of electromagnetic radiation within the preselected wavelength range, the distal section including a pointed distal tip (10, 110) at a distal-most point along the central axis (2, 102), the pointed distal tip (10, 110) configured to be impacted through a cortex of the bone; and a middle section (4, 104) axially arranged between the proximal and distal sections, the middle section (4, 104) formed of a material that is substantially absorbent of electromagnetic radiation within the preselected wavelength range, a proximal section (5, 105) formed of a material that is substantially non-absorbent of electromagnetic radiation within a preselected wavelength range; a distal section (3, 103) formed of a material that is substantially non-absorbent of electromagnetic radiation within the preselected wavelength range, the distal section including a pointed distal tip (10, 110) at a distal-most point along the central axis (2, 102), the pointed distal tip (10, 110) configured to be impacted through a cortex of the bone; and a middle section (4, 104) axially arranged between the proximal and distal sections, the middle section (4, 104) formed of a material that is substantially absorbent of electromagnetic radiation within the preselected wavelength range, wherein the elongated element (1, 100) is configured to transform, in response to an application of electromagnetic radiation within the preselected wavelength range, from: a first insertion configuration, to a second activated configuration, in which the middle section (4, 104) softens and melts in response to the application of the electromagnetic radiation. a first insertion configuration, to a second activated configuration, in which the middle section (4, 104) softens and melts in response to the application of the electromagnetic radiation.