Methods and apparatus for joint distraction

A method of treating a patient's hip joint, the hip joint having an acetabulum comprising a joint surface, an acetabular fossa comprising a recessed region in the joint surface of the acetabulum, and a femoral head, said method comprising:

• providing an elongate member having a proximal end for manipulation by the hand of a user, a distal end carried by said proximal end and directable by said proximal end, and an expandable member disposed near the distal end, wherein a distal portion of said elongate member is substantially more flexible than a proximal portion of said elongate member;
• using said proximal end of said elongate member to advance said expandable member into the hip joint between the femoral head and the acetabulum;
• using said proximal end of said elongate member to position said expandable member into the acetabular fossa;
• expanding said expandable member so as to separate the femoral head from the acetabulum, and using said expanded expandable member to maintain separation between the femoral head and the acetabulum, wherein when said expandable member is expanded, said expandable member remains in the acetabular fossa with said expanded expandable member contacting no more than about 50% of the joint surface of the acetabulum outside of the acetabular fossa;
• and
• performing a therapeutic procedure on the hip joint while said expandable member is expanded within the acetablular fossa.