METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRACTING A JOINT

摘要

A method for creating space in a joint formed at the convergence of two bones, the method comprising:
applying force to a body part so as to separate the two bones from one another by a distance which is greater than the distance that they are normally separated from one another when the joint is in a healthy state, whereby to distract the joint and create an intrajoint space;inserting an assembly of three balloons into the intrajoint space while the assembly of three balloons is in a contracted condition;expanding the assembly of three balloons within the intrajoint space; andreducing the force applied to the body part so that the joint is supported on the assembly of three balloons, with the two bones remaining separated from one another by a distance which is greater than the distance that they are normally separated from one another when the joint is in a healthy state.

主权项

1. A method for creating space in a joint formed at the convergence of two bones in a hip joint, the method comprising:
applying force to a body part so as to separate the two bones from one another by a distance which is greater than the distance that they are normally separated from one another when the hip joint is in a healthy state, whereby to distract the hip joint and create an intrajoint space; inserting at least one balloon into the intrajoint space while the at least one balloon is in a contracted condition, wherein at least part of the at least one balloon is inserted into the acetabular fossa; expanding the at least one balloon within the intrajoint space; and reducing the force applied to the body part so that the hip joint is supported on the at least one balloon, with the two bones remaining separated from one another by a distance which is greater than the distance that they are normally separated from one another when the hip joint is in a healthy state.