Non-invasive distraction system for ankle arthroscopy

A non-invasive distraction system for ankle joint arthroscopy comprising in combination:

• an operating table for supporting a patient in a generally supine position;
• a leg holder adapted to adjustably support the leg of the patient posteriorly of the knee joint to maintain the leg in a selected position between slightly flexed and acutely flexed, said leg holder attached directly to the operating table below the knee and including means for adjusting the height to the knee joint above the table;
• distraction means including an elongate body having an axially adjustable length and having first and second ends, said first end adapted to be attached to the foot of the patient;
• an adjustable clamp attached to one edge of said table, said clamp including clamping means for selective positioning of said clamp along said table edge and means for attaching the second end of said elongate body to the table to permit said elongate body to be positioned spaced from the bottom of the foot of the patient with the axis of said elongate body disposed generally axially of the lower leg to establish an initial foot support position and to provide an initial level of ankle joint distraction;
• means for adjusting the length of said elongate body to vary said initial level of ankle joint distraction;
• and
• means for hinging the operating table on a line transverse to sad table edge between the leg holder height adjusting means and said adjustable clamp to define a hinged table end of supporting said clamp and said distraction means below the top of said table.

A method for providing non-invasive ankle joint distraction to facilitate ankle arthroscopy, said method comprising the steps of:

• (1) supporting the patient on a table in a generally supine position;
• (2) adjustably positioning a leg of the patient to selectively maintain the leg between slightly flexed and acutely flexed positions by supporting the leg with a support beneath the knee joint, said support adjustably attached to one lateral edge of the table for moving the support vertically and pivoting the support in any of three planes of rotation with respect to the table;
• (3) pivotally attaching one end of a lever arm to one edge of the table;
• (4) attaching a first end of an axially adjustable distraction device to the foot of the patient, and attaching a second end of the distraction device to the other end of the lever;
• (5) manually rotating said one end of the lever arm about the pivotal connection of said other end in a generally vertical plane to impose a tensile load on said distraction device to provide an initial level of ankle joint distraction;
• (6) clamping said other end of the lever arm to maintain said initial lever of ankle joint distraction;
• and,
• (7) adjusting the length of said distraction device to vary said initial level of ankle joint distraction.