Bandage distraction technique for ankle arthroscopy

In ankle arthroscopy, the joint space of the talocrural joint is often too narrow for insertion of the scope and instruments. Various distraction devi ces for this procedure have been used to widen the joint space. Bandage dis traction is effective and noninvasive, but it is difficult to extend the po sterior joint space sufficiently for insertion of the scope. Here we descri be a new bandage distraction method that can extend the posterior joint spa ce adequately. Using our method, the anterior and posterior joint spaces on direct lateral radiographs were measured after adding the distraction forc e in nine healthy volunteers (18 ankles; three men and 6 women). This was c ompared to a previously reported method. The posterior joint space was wide ned a greater amount when our new bandage distraction technique was used.