Medical procedure facilitation system

A method of assisting a patient who is recumbent or semi-recumbent on a bed or surgical table having lateral edges, the patient being subjected to a medical procedure that involves flexion, external rotation, and/or abduction of the lower extremity, the method comprising the steps of, not necessarily in the order presented:

• securing a pair of assist arms to the lateral edges of the bed or surgical table, the pair of assist arms being adapted to move in a plane that lies parallel to the lateral edges along a path of rotation;
• connecting a pair of bi-state spring assemblies to the assist arms for providing a rotational force to each assist arm that assists in raising and securing one or more positions of the patient's legs,
• wherein each assist arm has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein each bi-state spring assembly has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of each bi-state spring assembly is located a distance from the proximal end of the assist arm to which it is connected, wherein the rotational force from the pair of bi-state spring assemblies rotates the assist arm about the proximal end of the assist arm;
• linking pad sub-assemblies to the assist arms, the pad sub-assemblies offering support under the thighs of the patient;
• and
• mounting hand grips on the assist arms and/or the pad sub-assemblies that allow the patient to contribute to lifting forces.