What is the primary focus of surgical distraction?

The primary focus of surgical distraction is to achieve separation of joint surfaces without damaging ligaments. This technique is often employed in orthopedic surgeries to realign bone fragments or to create space in a joint while ensuring that the surrounding connective tissues, particularly the ligaments, remain intact. By preserving the ligaments, the procedure minimizes the risk of subsequent complications and promotes better healing and stability of the joint post-surgery.

Other options, although relevant in the context of joint health and surgeries, do not specifically capture the mechanism and intention behind surgical distraction. For instance, while alignment of joint surfaces and increasing joint mobility are beneficial outcomes, they are not the specific aim of distraction. Similarly, reducing swelling post-operatively is a part of post-operative management but is not a direct focus of the distraction technique itself during surgery.