An orthopedic distraction sock for circumscribing at least a portion of an
appendage, the distraction sock comprising a hollow braided sleeve having
opposing open ends and including a non-braided tether mounted to the
sleeve so that tension on the tether constricts the sleeve. The instant
invention also includes a method of securing the relative position of an
ankle during an arthroscopic procedure, the method comprising: (a)
retarding movement of an upper leg; (b) sliding a constrictable sleeve
axially over at least a majority of a foot, the sleeve including a distal
open end and a proximal open end nearer an ankle than the distal open
end; (c) mounting the sleeve to a support structure; and (d) tensioning
the sleeve by increasing a distance between the support structure and the
foot to constrict the sleeve circumferentially around the foot to
securely mount the sleeve to the foot, where tensioning of the sleeve,
after retarding movement of the femur, is operative to maintain the
relative orientation between the foot and a lower leg.