Orthopedic traction tower system

1. An orthopedic traction tower system for applying traction to a patient's arm, comprising:

a base defining a plane and configured to receive and support the patient's upper arm;

a tower arm including a first end, a middle portion spaced at a distance from the patient's forearm, and a second end for applying tractive forces to a distal end of the patient's arm; and

a joint connecting the first end to the base and including a first pivot mechanism configured to allow the tower arm to pivot around a first pivot axis that is substantially orthogonal to the plane defined by the base, the first pivot mechanism being under the elbow joint of the patient's arm and the first pivot axis extending through the base and the elbow joint when the upper arm is received and supported by the base, the joint also including a second pivot mechanism configured to allow the tower arm to pivot around a second pivot axis that is substantially parallel to the plane defined by the base,

wherein the tower arm is configured to be pivoted around the first pivot axis while the orientation of the patient's forearm relative to the base remains constant.

2. The orthopedic traction tower system of claim 1 , wherein pivoting the tower arm, combined with the space between the tower arm and the patient's forearm, provides access to the forearm from any desired direction.

3. The orthopedic traction tower system of claim 1 , wherein the second pivot mechanism is configured to allow the tower arm to pivot through a range of at least about 90 degrees.

4. The orthopedic traction tower system of claim 1 , wherein the first pivot mechanism is configured to allow the tower arm to pivot through a range of at least about 180 degrees.

5. The orthopedic traction tower system of claim 1 , wherein the first pivot axis is substantially co-linear with a longitudinal axis of the patient's forearm.

6. The orthopedic traction tower system of claim 1 , wherein the first end, the second end, and the middle portion are each substantially linear.

7. The orthopedic traction tower system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first end, the second end, and the middle portion is at least partially curved.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to receive the patients upper arm with the upper arm in a predefined position.

9. A method of applying tractive forces to a distal end of a patient's arm with an orthopedic traction tower system including a base defining a plane and connected to a tower arm by a joint, the joint including a first pivot mechanism and defining a first pivot axis that is substantially orthogonal to the plane and also including a second pivot mechanism defining a second pivot axis that is substantially parallel to the plane, the method comprising:

positioning an upper arm of the patient's arm so that it is supported by the base, with the elbow joint of the patient's arm disposed over the first pivot mechanism and the first pivot axis extending through the elbow joint;

securing the distal end of the patient's arm to the second end; and

pivoting the tower arm around the first and second axes to provide a desired orientation of the patients arm,

wherein the step of pivoting includes a step of rotating the tower arm around the first pivot axis while the orientation of the patient's forearm relative to the base remains constant.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein securing the distal end of the patient's arm to the second end includes securing at least one of the patient's fingers with at least one fingertrap.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising exerting a desired amount of tractive forces on the distal end of the patient's arm.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of rotating includes rotating the tower arm without changing the angle between the patient's forearm and upper arm, the pronated/supinated position of the patient's forearm/hand, or the tractive forces on the patient's arm.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising rotating an adjustment joint positioned along the middle portion to select a desired orientation of at least one of the patient's hand and wrist relative to the patient's forearm.

14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising rotating an adjustment joint positioned along a middle portion of the tower arm to select a desired orientation of at least one of the patient's hand and wrist relative to the patient's forearm.

15. The method of claim 9 , further comprising a step of securing the patient's upper arm to the base.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of positioning includes a step of positioning the patient's upper arm in a predefined position.