Method and apparatus for a simulated weight-bearing positioning system

A simulated weight-bearing positioning apparatus, comprising:

• a base comprising a narrow slot and a wider receiving region;
• a footpad movable relative to the base between a stowed position and a deployed position;
• a non-circular lower pin coupled to the footpad;
• and
• wherein the non-circular lower pin is configured to prevent downward movement of the footpad through the narrow slot when the footpad is in a first rotational orientation, and to permit downward movement of the footpad through the narrow slot when the footpad is in a second rotational orientation.

A method of positioning a patient's foot in a simulated weight-bearing position, comprising:

• placing a simulated weight-bearing apparatus beneath at least a portion of a patient's leg, the simulated weight-bearing apparatus comprising a base and a footpad movable relative to the base;
• moving the footpad from a stowed position relative to the base through a first movement;
• rotating the footpad relative to the base after the first movement;
• engaging the footpad with the base in a deployed position at a selected angle;
• positioning a plantar surface of the patient's foot against the footpad;
• and
• maintaining the patient's foot in a simulated weight-bearing position while imaging or surgery is performed.