A new device to aid knee surgery. A leg-positioning mechanism

A novel leg-positioning and holding mechanism has been developed to facilitate knee surgery. The normal thigh tourniquet is used as the point of attachment of the mechanism. The knee may be placed in any of the positions desired for knee surgery by means of a single control lever. To facilitate alignment during arthroplasty a pointer has been incorporated to indicate the midline of the limb. The leg positioner has proved useful during knee arthroplasty, high tibial osteotomy, arthroscopic procedures, and ligament reconstruction. Its use has reduced fatigue, freed the assistant for other tasks, and held the limb more firmly than was possible hitherto.