Distraction frame for effecting hip distraction

1. A distraction frame for use with a surgical table, wherein the surgical table comprises a base that contacts a floor, the distraction frame comprising:

a table mount for removably mounting the distraction frame to the base of the surgical table so that the distraction frame can be selectively used with the surgical table;

at least one horizontal strut mounted to the table mount;

at least one vertical strut mounted to the at least one horizontal strut; and

at least one distractor mounted to the at least one vertical strut, wherein the at least one distractor is configured for connection to a limb of a patient and for applying a distraction force to the limb of the patient;

wherein the table mount comprises a first portion positioned in front of a front of the base of the surgical table when the table mount is fixed to the surgical table and at least one second portion that extends along a side of the base portion, and the at least one second portion is configured to transfer directly to the floor a force moment imposed on the table mount when the at least one distractor applies a distraction force to the limb of a patient.

2. A distraction frame according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises at least one outrigger mounted to the first portion, wherein the at least one outrigger extends away from the at least one vertical strut.

3. A distraction frame according to claim 2 wherein the at least one horizontal strut extends away from the table mount.

4. A distraction frame according to claim 2 wherein the at least one outrigger is mounted to the first portion so as to be laterally adjustable relative to the base of the surgical table.

5. A distraction frame according to claim 2 wherein the at least one outrigger comprises a pair of outriggers, and further wherein the pair of outriggers extend on either side of the base of the surgical table.

6. A distraction frame according to claim 2 wherein the at least one outrigger comprises at least one bracket for disposition between the base of the surgical table and the floor, and further wherein the at least one outrigger comprises at least one support for contacting the floor.

7. A distraction frame according to claim 6 wherein the at least one support transfers directly to the floor a force moment imposed on the table mount when the at least one distractor applies a distraction force to a limb of a patient.

8. A distraction frame according to claim 6 wherein the at least one support is located further away from the first portion than the at least one bracket.

9. A distraction frame according to claim 6 wherein the at least one bracket is moveable with respect to the first portion of the table mount.

10. A distraction frame according to claim 6 wherein the at least one bracket has an adjustable length.

11. A distraction frame according to claim 6 wherein the at least one support has an adjustable length.

12. A distraction frame according to claim 6 wherein the at least one support extends laterally to the base of the surgical table.

13. A distraction frame according to claim 6 wherein the at least one horizontal strut is on one side of the at least one bracket and the at least one support is on an opposite side of the at least one bracket.

14. A distraction frame according to claim 1 wherein the table mount comprises a surface for selectively contacting the floor, and further wherein the table mount comprises at least one wheel for selectively supporting the surface of the table mount above the floor.

15. A distraction frame according to claim 1 wherein the at least one horizontal strut is pivotally mounted to the table mount.

16. A distraction frame according to claim 1 wherein the at least one horizontal strut has a length, and the length of the at least one horizontal strut is telescopically adjustable.

17. A distraction frame according to claim 1 wherein the at least one horizontal strut comprises at least one caster for selectively rollably supporting the at least one horizontal strut on the floor, and further wherein the distraction frame comprises at least one foot peg for selectively supporting the at least one caster above the floor.

18. A distraction frame according to claim 17 wherein the at least one foot peg has an adjustable length.

19. A distraction frame according to claim 1 wherein the at least one vertical strut is movably mounted to the at least one horizontal strut.

20. A distraction frame according to claim 1 wherein the at least one vertical strut has a length, and the length of the at least one vertical strut is telescopically adjustable.

21. A distraction frame according to claim 1 wherein the at least one vertical strut has a weight, wherein the at least one vertical strut is configured to carry a weight, and wherein the at least one vertical strut is configured to counterbalance at least a portion of the weight of the at least one vertical strut and/or at least a portion of the weight carried by the at least one vertical strut.

22. A distraction frame according to claim 21 wherein the at least one vertical strut comprises a gas cylinder to counterbalance at least a portion of the weight of the at least one vertical strut and/or at least a portion of the weight carried by the at least one vertical strut.

23. A distraction frame according to claim 1 wherein the second portion comprises at least one bracket for disposition between the base of the surgical table and the floor, wherein the first portion of the table mount is disposed on a first side of the at least one bracket, and wherein the second portion further comprises at least one support for contacting the floor that is disposed on a second side of the at least one bracket that is opposite the first side.

24. A distraction frame according to claim 23 wherein the at least one support is configured such that when the at least one distractor applies a distraction force to the limb of a patient the at least one support pushes into the floor.

25. A method for distracting a limb of a patient, the method comprising:

providing a distraction frame for use with a surgical table, wherein the surgical table comprises a base that contacts a floor, the distraction frame comprising:

a table mount that removably mounts the distraction frame to the base of the surgical table;

at least one horizontal strut mounted to the table mount;

at least one vertical strut mounted to the at least one horizontal strut; and

at least one distractor mounted to the at least one vertical strut, wherein the at least one distractor is configured for connection to the limb of a patient and for applying a distraction force to the limb of the patient;

wherein the table mount comprises a first portion positioned in front of a front of the base of the surgical table when the table mount is fixed to the surgical table and at least one second portion that extends along a side of the base portion, and the at least one second portion is configured to transfer directly to the floor a force moment imposed on the table mount when the at least one distractor applies a distraction force to the limb of a patient;

positioning the patient on the surgical table;

connecting the limb of the patient to the at least one distractor; and

applying a distraction force to the limb of the patient using the at least one distractor.