AU7940601A - Orthopaedic brace - Google Patents

Description

1 ORTHOPAEDIC BRACE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with an orthopaedic brace for use in the rehabilitation of damaged joints. The invention finds particular application where it is desired to reduce bone-to-bone contact, for example to promote cartilage regeneration at the opposing surfaces of a joint.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION It is known that some types of injuries and degenerative diseases cause damage to the cartilage of joints such as the knee joint or cervical inter-vertebrate joints.

In such cases there may be bone-to-bone contact at the joint, which is painful for the patient and reduces the likelihood of cartilage regeneration.

In the past certain techniques have been used to address the above 15 problem. For example gravity traction devices have been used. Such devices are applied to a bed-ridden patient in order to apply tension, commonly known as o traction, across the knee thereby reducing compression between the femur and tibia at the knee-joint. Gravity traction devices may also be applied to other joints.

A disadvantage of these devices is that the patient is restricted to bed during their application. Often the patient is restricted to bed for lengthy periods which is inconvenient. Furthermore, muscle or bone wasting may occur during lengthy bed rest which is also undesirable.

o* It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which overcomes, or at least alleviates, the above problems.

S 25 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided an orthopaedic brace for placing a joint, defined by at least first and second bone members, under tension, said brace including: a first attachment means for attachment to a patient's body at a position for exerting force on the first bone member; a second attachment means for attachment to a patient's body at a second position for exerting opposing force on the second bone member; a tensioning member interconnecting the first and second attachment means for applying said forces to the joint.

Preferably the tensioning member is configured to operatively allow flexing of the joint.

In a preferred embodiment the tensioning member includes first and second elongate members interconnected by at least one resilient member.

It is advantageous if the tensioning member further includes an adjuster for operatively varying the tensioning force applied across said joint.

In a preferred embodiment the adjuster includes threaded rod to allow variation in the spacing between the tensioning member and one or the other, or both, of the elongate members.

The resilient member may include one or more springs. Alternatively other components may be used, for example a suitable type of shock absorber may be incorporated.

~15 According to one embodiment, particularly suited for application to a knee :.joint one of the first attachment means is simply a connector such as a pin or bolt to be received through a hole through the heel of a shoe worn by a patient.

Alternatively the first attachment means may comprise an ankle strap or surgical pins.

20 Either or both attachment means may be rigid in which case they may be either hinged or two-part in order to allow placement around a body part.

S* The brace may be adapted for use, for example, upon the knee joint lumbar thoracic or cervical intervertebrate joints or the elbow joint or any other joint which may benefit from traction.

S BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate typical preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein: Figure 1 is a diagram of the anterior view of a knee joint.

Figure 2 is a front view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 2 in use.

Figure 4 is a rear view of a further embodiment of the invention in use.

Figure 5 is a side view of a third embodiment of the invention in use.

Figure 5A is a rear view of the apparatus of Figure DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to Figure 1 there is depicted an anterior view of a knee joint 1. The joint is defined by the femur bone 3 and the tibia bone 5. Due to osteoarthritic degeneration of the cartilage of the joint there is marked joint space narrowing of the medial aspect of the knee joint as indicated at region 7. As a result of the narrowing, bone-to-bone interactions may occur which are painful and undesirable.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is depicted a first embodiment of the present invention configured for application to a knee joint. The knee brace 10 of Figure 3 includes a first attachment means in the form of hip support 12 for securing to the thigh and hence to the femur. A second attachment means in the form of a bolt 13 is passed through a sleeve formed in the heel of a shoe to be worn by the patient. The first and second attachment means are connected by a tensioning member comprising splints 14-20 springs 22 and 24 and adjustment means comprising threaded rods 26 and 28 and locking nuts 30 and 32. The oeo oi upper ends of springs 22 and 24 are welded to splints 14 and 18 respectively.

The lower ends of springs 22 and 24 are welded to threaded rods 26 and 28 respectively. Threaded rods 26 and 28 pass through brackets 34 and 36 formed at the upper ends of splints 16 and Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a side view of the apparatus of 25 Figure 2 in use about the leg 38 of a patient. In use hip support 12 is secured about the top of the thigh of the patient as shown. The support 12 may be secured by a buckle and strap arrangement or alternatively a hook and loop system may be used.

Bolt 13 is then passed through a hole in a shoe 40 worn by the patient.

Nuts 30 are then adjusted in order to space splints 14 and 16 from each other so that opposing forces are applied on splints 14 and 16 as shown by arrows 42 and 44. Straps 17 and 19 may be passed around the thigh and shin as shown in order to prevent splints 18 and 14 and 20 and 16 respectively from bowing out.

The above arrangement forces the femur and tibia away from each other thereby reducing the likelihood of bone-to-bone interactions and increasing the likelihood of cartilage regeneration at the damaged joint.

It will be noted that the patient is able to flex the joint so that mobility may be achieved.

It will be realised that the adjustment member is not essential to the operation of the device but is very convenient. In its absence the springs could be pre-compressed prior to securing the brace to the patient.

Variations to the apparatus are of course possible. For example, in place of bolt 13 an ankle strap could be attached to the bottom of splints 16 and 20 for attachment directly to the ankle of the patient. In that case shoe 40 would not be required. Furthermore, spring 22 could be replaced with another resilient member, for example a hydraulic shock absorber may find application. Preferably a shock absorber would be hingedly attached to one or other of the splints in order to allow for flexion of the joint. Other suitable alternatives are also possible.

While the invention has thus far been explained with reference to the knee joint it may be straightforwardly applied to other body joints. Figure 4 depicts a 20 rear view of an embodiment of the invention in use to provide traction to the back and may be useful correcting spinal curvature (scoliosis). In that figure a rigid .upper holding ring 52 is located around a patient's upper-chest and beneath the arms. The holding ring is padded and hinged, by means of hinge 53, at the centre back and is fastened at the front. Pockets 54 receive springs 56.

S 25 Preferably the springs are maintained substantially parallel by means of a padded fabric guide 58 which includes two sleeves 60 and 62 connected by a web 64.

Springs 56 are welded to threaded rods 66 which are engaged by one end of respective turnbuckles 68. The opposite end of each turnbuckle engages a threaded rod 70 which is welded to a spring 72. The lower end of each spring 72 is received in a respective pocket 74 of lower holding ring 76. The lower holding ring is of similar design to that of the upper one except shaped for placement about the hips. Padding 78 cushions the patient from turnbuckles 68.

In use the upper and lower holding rings 52 and 76 are firstly fitted.

Springs 72 and 56 are then located in the upper and lower pockets 54 and 74.

Turnbuckles 68 are then rotated in order to force threaded rods 66 and 70 away from each other thus compressing springs 56 and 72 and placing the spine under tension as indicated by arrow pairs 80 and 82. The same arrangement as shown in Figure 4 is repeated on the front side of the patient's body.

Although the embodiment of Figure 4 has four spring and turnbuckle assemblies (two at the front and two at the rear) this number could be varied.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 5A, another embodiment of the invention is depicted in use. The embodiment of Figure 5 is used to place cervical vertebrae in traction and includes a helmet or headstrap 90 with a rigid headbrace 96 which fits under the rear of the skull as shown. A shoulder harness 92, including hinges 93, fits under the arms and around the upper chest of the patient. Rigid should brace 94 extends over the shoulders and is attached at the front and rear to harness 92. An adjustable tensioning assembly 98, similar to that described in relation to Figure 4 and comprising springs 102 received into respective pockets 107, threaded rod 104 and turnbuckles 100 as previously described, is connected .between headbrace 96 and shoulder brace 94 on both sides. In use turnbuckles 100 are adjusted in order compress the springs of each tensioning assembly °oooo thereby forcing headbrace 96 and shoulder brace 94 apart and so placing cervical vertebrae of the patient in traction as is desired as shown by arrows 105 and 106.

Although the brace of the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments adapted for the knee, cervical intervertebrate and lumbar intervertebrate joints, it will be understood that the invention may also be S 25 applied to other joints such as the elbow. Furthermore, the invention may also S°find application in the field of veterinary medicine.

It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

Claims (8)

1. An orthopaedic brace for placing a joint, defined by at least first and second bone members, under tension, said brace including: a first attachment means for attachment to a patient's body at a position for exerting force on the first bone member; a second attachment means for attachment to a patient's body at a second position for exerting opposing force on the second bone member; a tensioning member interconnecting the first and second attachment means for applying said forces to the joint.

2. An orthopaedic brace according to claim 1, wherein said tensioning member is configured to operatively allow flexing of the joint.

3. An orthopaedic brace according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said tensioning member includes first and second elongate members interconnected at least one resilient member. °ooo• An orthopaedic brace according to claim 3, wherein said tensioning member includes an adjuster for operatively varying the tensioning force applied across said joint. *aa.. ooo An orthopaedic brace according to claim 4, wherein said adjuster includes threaded rod to allow variation in the spacing between the tensioning member and one or the other, or both, of the elongate members.

6. An orthopaedic brace according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said resilient member includes one or more springs.

7. An orthopaedic brace according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said joint is a knee joint, said first attachment means being a connector engaging the heel of a shoe worn by a patient.

8. An orthopaedic brace according to claim 7, wherein said connector includes a pin or bolt to be received through a hole through said heel.

9. An orthopaedic brace according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said first attachment means comprises means selected from ankle straps or surgical pins. An orthopaedic brace according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein either or both said attachment means are rigid and either hinged or two-part in order to allow placement around a body part.

11. An orthopaedic brace substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to the accompanying drawings. THIS FIFTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER 2001. JANE LOUISE FOUNTAIN BY .:PARA PIZZEYS PATENT TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS