The present disclosure provides staples, and corresponding staple guides, for applying a compressive force between biological elements. The staples may include a bridge portion and a pair of tines extending from the bridge portion configured for implantation into biological elements. The tines may be spaced a first distance in a first state of the bridge portion. The bridge portion may be elastically deformable into a second state with the pair of tines spaced a second distance that is greater than the first distance and the tines pre-loaded to apply a compressive force therebetween. The guides may include a staple engagement portion operable to maintain the biased state of the staple, and/or a drill guide portion operable to facilitate the formation of apertures spaced the second distance in the biological elements.