Simplified Setup to Achieve Distraction for Toe Arthroscopy

Abstract

Toe arthroscopy has historically had limited applications but is beginning to emerge as a viable treatment option for select toe pathologies, and continues to have expanding indications as technology and techniques improve. Toe arthroscopy has used a multitude of distraction techniques to perform the procedures but all have had limited success. Thus, we propose a simple toe arthroscopy distraction technique that uses an external positioning arm to allow the surgeon to apply manual traction in multiple positions without the use of an assistant, external weights, or any reprocessed sterile equipment.