Surgery: splint – brace – or bandage – Orthopedic bandage – Splint or brace
Patent
1997-01-21
1998-11-03
Donnelly, Jerome
Surgery: splint, brace, or bandage
Orthopedic bandage
Splint or brace
602 16, 602 26, A61S 510
Patent
active
058301666
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The invention concerns an orthotic device to support the foot, especially in the case of paralyses, which are caused by damage to the peroneal muscle or the peroneal nerve, consisting of a splint and a foot support.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known, in the case of specific paralyses, to fix the foot by means of an orthotic device, the calf splint and foot support of which are connected to each other either rigidly and stationarily or through leaf springs. Such paralyses arise especially in the case of damage to the peroneal muscle or the peroneal nerve that controls it, as they may be caused for instance by the sequelae of apoplexy. The paralysis means that the concerned person is no longer able to control the foot consciously and as a result the foot drops downward and thereby turns inward, which is termed inversion or supination. Owing to this turning movement there is a risk of irreversible damage if walked upon.
Orthotic devices to support the foot are known in two embodiments. In one embodiment the calf splint is connected stationarily to the foot support, whereby the foot support and the calf splint form an angle of approx. 90.degree..
Through this, the foot is rigidly fixed. The disadvantage thereby is that the orthotic device not only prevents a turning of the foot inwards, an upward and downward movement in the joint is also impossible, which makes walking very difficult. Moreover, there is the risk of a stiffening of the ankle, as it is fully, rigidly fixed. With the other embodiment the foot support is connected by means of a lateral leaf spring assembly to the splint. Consequently, an upward and downward movement of the foot is possible in principle, however the spring power and the range of the spring cannot be adapted to the individual needs of the patient as no possibility worth mentioning for adjustments and setting is given. In addition, a defined rotation axis is not created.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
On this basis it is the objective of the invention to develop an orthotic device to support the foot, especially in the case of impairment of the peroneal muscle or the peroneal nerve, in such a way that the foot is fixed in such a manner that a lateral turning is prevented, however an upward and downward movement of the foot is possible and the spring power, which acts in the direction of the upward movement of the toes, can be adapted to the individual needs of the patient.
In accordance with the invention this problem is solved therein that the calf splint and the foot support are connected through a hinge at the level of the ankle, the rotation axis of which lies essentially perpendicular to the lateral surface of the foot and contains a spring, the spring power of which acts in the direction of the upward movement of the toes. The orthotic device is mounted as follows: The calf splint lies against the calf and is connected by means of the hinge to the foot support, which is also enclosed by the shoe.
Since the foot muscles of the paralysed foot cannot be contracted, it drops downward and executes an inward turn. The orthotic device prevents on the one hand a lateral turning of the ankle and in the manner that the joint can only be moved in the upward and downward movement of the foot. This is achieved through the position of the rotation axis, which lies perpendicular on the lateral surface of the foot so that it coincides with a rotation axis of the ankle. On the other hand, dropping down is compensated for by the spring power that counteracts this movement, which is set in such a way that in the resting position of the foot it holds a balance with the gravitational force of the foot. During walking, the spring is deflected from this resting position which means that when the foot is lifted this returns to the resting position.
As the hinge is located immediately laterally besides the ankle, the ankle can be moved, only the lateral turning movement is prevented. The patient's walking is made significantly eas
REFERENCES:
patent: 1851241 (1932-03-01), Dresser
patent: 4865024 (1989-09-01), Hersley et al.
patent: 4958643 (1990-09-01), Poinsiera
patent: 5358469 (1994-10-01), Patchel et al.
patent: 5399154 (1995-03-01), Kipis et al.
Donnelly Jerome
Schindler Edwin D.
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