CA2325233A1 - Stretching device for use in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a new and improved stretching device for the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or repetitive strain injury. The stretching device comprises a first wrist strap which is releasably secured around the wrist of the user and a pair of webbing straps extending from the wrist strap which are secured around the ball of the foot of the user. The foot is flexed applying traction to the bones of the wrist thus relieving the pressure on the median nerve and resulting in a decrease in the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The device is a simple and cost effective way to treat this injury.

Description

STRETCHING DEVICE FOR USE IN THE TREATMENT OF CARPAL TUNNEL
SYNDROME
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a stretching device for use in the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) or repetitive strain injury, and more particularly a stretching device adapted to apply traction to a user's wrist by stretching the user's hand away from their forearm.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The carpal tunnel is formed in the wrist by the carpal bones and the transverse carpal ligament. The tendons which flex the fingers and the median nerve pass from the forearm to the hand through the carpal tunnel. Wrist level median nerve entrapment, now more commonly known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, is caused by pressure on the median nerve in or near the carpal tunnel. During finger and wrist movement, the finger flexor tendons rub against each other and against the walls of the carpal tunnel. This in turn causes swelling or thickening of the tendons which then squeeze against the median nerve causing numbness, tingling, and pain in the wrist and hand. These are the primary symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. A
person with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may also experience in one or both hands, dry shiny skin, a burning sensation, weakness, and an inability to clench his/her hand into a fist.
Commonly, affected persons awake in the middle of the night in pain and find extensive numbness in the hand. The feeling of CTS pain may spread to the forearm, and in severe cases, as far as the shoulder.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome primarily affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 60, and poses a serious occupational health problem. Strenuous use of the hand such as sustained grasping, twisting, or turning, or frequent use of the hand in repetitive tasks such as typing or assembly line work, are believed to be aggravating factors.

In the past, various treatments have been designed to try to alleviate CTS
symptoms.
Traditional forms of treatment have included splinting of the wrist to limit the range of the motion during sleep and work. For example, U.S. Patent 5,478,306 to Stoner discloses a band of flexible material which is sized to be secured around the hand and adjacent forearm. The device of Stoner, however, does not provide active relief of the effects of CTS.
Another option is to give to the affected person cortisone shots. to decrease tendon inflammation.
If these types of treatments fail, the last resort is usually surgery to reduce the pressure on the median nerve.
Heretofore, however, CTS treatments have required the attendance of medical practitioners, often delaying relief from CTS symptoms for hours or even days.
U.S. Patent 5,632,726 to Repice et al discloses a device which is mounted on a traction machine to provide traction to the wrist of a person suffering from CTS. Such devices are cumbersome and unnecessarily expensive and must be operated by professionals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To at least partially overcome the disadvantages of previously known apparatus and methods for alleviating CTS symptoms, the present invention provides a stretching device for applying traction to a user's wrist, and which includes a wristband sized to encircle the wrist, and which is coupled to a tensioning strap which may be biased by the user to apply a forward tensioning force on the user's hand.
It is an object of the invention to provide a stretching device which effectively treats CTS
or repetitive strain injuries, without the need to use splints, drugs, surgery or otherwise attend to treatment by medical personnel.
It is another object of the invention to provide a device for treating CTS
which can be used by the individual user without the need for complicated or expensive intervention or assistance.

It is another object of the invention to provide a stretching device which can be used by a person suffering from CTS in home or office environments, and which effectively relieves the compression of the median nerve at the wrist.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a stretching device adapted to apply traction to a user's wrist to relieve the pressure on the median nerve, and which produces a resulting decrease in the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
A further object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive stretching device for use in the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which may be easily and economically manufactured.
To at least partially achieve the foregoing objects, the invention provides a stretching device adapted to provide a tensioning force between a user's forearm and hand. The stretching device comprises a wristband adapted to be encircled about the wrist of a person suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and a tensioning strap which is attached to the wristband. Most preferably, the wristband has a size selected to substantially prevent its sliding movement past the user's hand once it has been positioned about the wrist. By way of non-limiting example, the wristband may comprise webbing strap made of nylon or flexible or semi-flexible cloth or material, an oval or circular ring capable of encircling the wrist, or a cuff, moulded or otherwise, or any combination of the above elements.
The tensioning strap is used to apply a tensioning force on the wristband in a forward direction distally outward from, and generally parallel to, the longitudinal extent of the forearm.
The tensioning strap may, by way of non-limiting example, comprise webbing strap made of nylon or other flexible fiber or cloth material, an elastomeric webbing strap or tubing, or in a less preferred embodiment, may comprise a rigid or semi-rigid rod or member. In a simplified construction, the tensioning strap could be formed as a continuous loop secured at each of its ends to the wristband, however, more preferably, the tensioning strap is adjustable in length to permit use of the stretching device by users of different heights. With the wristband secured about the user's wrist, the forward tensioning force on the wristband causes a distal edge portion of the wristband to press forward against the base of the hand at the area where the hand joins with the wrist. The application of a forward tensioning force to the user's hand while the user's forearm is pulled in the opposite direction or held in a generally fixed position applies traction to the user's wrist, causing a reduction of the compression of the transverse carpal ligament and an opening of the carpal tunnel to alleviate pressure on the median nerve. Such tensioning also stretches the tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel.
The user may apply tension to the tensioning strap by attaching it to a door handle, jamb or other fixed object, and pulling backward. Most preferably, however, the tensioning strap is sized to extend about the foot of the user's outstretched leg, whereby the user can tension the tensioning straps by holding his or her arm in place and flexing his or her foot in a forward manner.
Optionally, the tensioning strap can also be provided with a foot harness to ensure that the tensioning strap remains properly positioned at the ball of the user's foot. Such harness could be made sizable in order to fit snugly over the user's shoe or foot.
In use, with the wristband in place about the user's wrist, the end of the tensioning strap which is remote from the wristband is engaged by the user's foot. To apply traction, the user tensions the tensioning strap by extending his or her foot forwardly while holding his or her forearm in a fixed orientation to resist such motion, with or without assistance from the other arm. The forward extension of the user's foot tensions the tensioning strap and applies a forward stretching force against the base of the user's hand where the hand merges with the wrist.
In one aspect, the invention provides a stretching device which includes a wristband configured to be releasably secured to the wrist of a person suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and includes one or more adjustable webbing or tensioning straps attached to the wristband and extending therefrom adapted so as to be wrapped around the user's foot or feet.

Accordingly, in another aspect, the invention resides in a stretching device actuatable by a user's foot for applying a forward tensioning force to a user's wrist comprising, a wristband having a longitudinal length selected to substantially encircle said wrist while preventing sliding movement past said user's hand, a tensioning member extending from a lateral edge of said wristband, said tensioning member being engageable by said foot, whereby the flexure of said foot applies a tensioning force on said tensioning member and wristband.
Accordingly, in another aspect, the invention resides in a stretching device for use in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome comprising:
a wristband having a longitudinal length selected to substantially encircle a user's wrist, a flexible tensioning strap extending from a first end to a second end, said first end of said tensioning strap being secured to said wristband at a plurality of locations along the longitudinal length of said wristband, said second end being adapted for releasable engagement by a biasing member selected from a door handle, a door jamb, furniture and a user's foot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a stretching device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention prior to attachment to a user;

Figure 2 shows a partial perspective view showing the attachment of the stretching device of Figure 1 to the wrist of a user;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the stretching device shown in Figure 1 in an operational configuration used to apply a stretching force to the user's hand at the wrist;
Figure 4 shows a second perspective view of the stretching device shown in Figure 3 and illustrating a preferred manner of applying a stretching force to the user's hand at the wrist;
Figure 5 shows an alternate construction of the stretching device shown in Figure 1 featuring a tension indicator, and Figure 6 shows an alternate embodiment of the stretching device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Reference is made to Figures l and 2 which show a stretching device 10 used in the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurring in a user's wrist 12 (Figure 2).
Figure 1 shows the device 10 as including a flexible wristband 14 and a tensioning strap 16.
The wristband 14 is adapted to be releasably secured about the user's wrist 12 and most preferably is made from rectangular Nylon webbing 18 having a lateral width of between 1 and 3 inches and a longitudinal length of between 6 and 10 inches. The wristband 14 is secured in position about the wrist 12 by means of a releasable hook and loop fastener which comprises loop fastener portion 22 which is spaced toward one longitudinal end portion, and a hook fastener portion 24 spaced toward the other end. The loop fastener portion 22 and hook fastener portion 24 have longitudinal lengths selected to permit the wristband 14 to be adjustably secured about wrists of differing circumferences, while substantially preventing the sliding movement of the wristband 14 forwardly past the user's hand 26 (Figure 2). When the webbing 18 is positioned encircling the wrist 14, as shown in Figure 2, the loop fastener portion 22 and hook fastener portion 24 are engaged, releasably securing the end portions together.
Figures 1 and 3 show best the tensioning strap 16 as being joined to the wristband 14 so as to extend as an elongated loop about the foot 30 (Figure 3) of the user's outstretched leg 32.
The tensioning strap 16 is comprised of two elongated flexible nylon webs 36,38 which each _7_ extend from respective proximal ends 36a,38a to respective distal ends 36b, 38b. The proximal ends 36a, 38a are attached to the wristband 14 by stitching so as to extend from a distal edge 29 of the wristband 14 in an orientation generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the webbing 18. The webs 36,38 are made from webbing having a width between about 1 and 3 inches. As will be described, the webs 36,38 are secured to the webbing 18 at longitudinally spaced positions selected so that when the wristband 14 is secured about the wrist 12, the webs 36,38 extend across the palm 27 and back 28 of the user's hand 26, respectively. At distal end 36b, a buckle 40 is included for adjustably and releasably securing the distal end 38b thereto so as to provide the tensioning strap 16 as a connected loop. Figure 1 shows best the web 36 as having a shorter length than web 38. It is to be appreciated that the overall length of the web 36 is selected so that when the distal ends 36b,38b are joined, the buckle 40 locates along a side portion of the outstretched tensioning strap 16 spaced from the users' foot 30.
In Figures 2, 3, and 4, the device 10 is shown whereby the webs 36,38 are spaced from each other such that when the wristband 14 is placed about a user's wrist 12, the webs 36,38 locate approximately on opposite sides of the user's arm 34. As will be described, with this configuration the wristband 14 provides an evenly balanced forward tensioning force on the user's hand 26 during the use of the device 10. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the wristband 14 is preferably aligned so that the planar surface of the webs 36,38 run along opposing sides of the outstretched hand, with the lateral width of one webbing strap 36 juxtaposed to the palm 27 of the hand 26, and the lateral width of the other webbing strap 38 juxtaposed to the back 28 of the hand 26.
In use the wristband 14 is secured about the user's wrist 12 by wrapping the webbing 18 snugly about the wrist 12 with the web 36 oriented to extend across the palm 27 of the hand 26 and the web 38 oriented to extend across the back 28 of the user's hand 26.
With the wristband 14 secured in position, the distal end 38b of web 38 is looped about the ball of the user's foot 30, and inserted through buckle 40, securing it to web 36. The overall length of the loop of the tensioning strap 16 as formed by the web 36,38 is adjusted to extend to marginally less than the length of the user's outstretched leg 32 when the arm 34 of the user is held in an orientation with _$_ the user's forearm bent at about ninety degrees parallel to the outstretched leg, as shown in Figure 3. Once the desired tensioning strap 16 length has been determined for a particular user, the tensioning strap 16 is looped around the ball of the foot 30 without need for significant length adjustment.
As shown in Figure 4, to relieve the symptoms of CTS, the ball of the foot 30 is flexed in forward motion as shown in the direction of arrow 50, while the user's forearm is held rigidly in position parallel to the tensioning force at the user's side. Optionally, the user's free hand 52 may be used to assist in resisting the forearm from forward movement. The flexure of the foot 30 tensions the tensioning strap 16 which in turn pulls the wristband 14 against the user's hand 26. As the wristband 14 is pulled forwardly, its distal edge 29 presses against the base of the hand 26 where the hand 26 joins with the wrist 12. The forward tensioning force of the tensioning strap 16 and the resistance of the user's arm 34 to forward motion causes a stretching at the wrist 12, and applies traction thereto. The traction is preferably applied in cycles, which for example, preferably comprises 5 seconds of applied tension followed by 5 seconds of rest for about 3 minutes.
The application of traction to the wrist 12 of the user helps to open the carpal tunnel which reduces pressure on the median nerve and results in a decrease in the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The stretching device 10 is an effective and simple way to treat this injury and relieve the suffering of those persons affected.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrates a buckle 40 as being used to secure the ends of the webs 36,38, the invention is not so limited. Other mechanisms to permit adjustment of a two-part tensioning strap are also possible and will now become apparent. In a less preferred embodiment the tensioning strap 16 could be provided as a single continuous strap secured at each of its proximal ends directly to the wristband 14. In further embodiment, the tensioning strap 16, whether a single continuous strap or a connected pair of individual straps, could comprise elastomeric webbing or other elastomeric material to provide a more gradual increase in force to the wristband 14.

Similarly, although the preferred embodiment describes the loop formed by the tensioning strap 16 as being sized to extend about the user's foot 30, the invention is not so limited. If desired, a longer or shorter tensioning strap 16 could be provided with the tensioning strap 16 configured to be secured to a fixed object, such as a door knob or desk, and tension applied by the user pulling his or her arm 34 in a backward direction, with or without the assistance of the user's free hand 52.
Although the preferred embodiment describes the tensioning strap 16 as being secured to the wrist strap 14 at a pair of opposed locations, the invention is not so limited. It is to be appreciated that the tensioning strap 16 could be joined to the wristband 14 by three, four or more radially placed straps, which are positioned to provide a substantially even tensioning force on the wristband 14.
In an alternate construction as shown in Figure 5 the tensioning strap 16 is formed as a single strap joined to the wristband 14 through two connecting straps 54,55.
The tensioning strap 16 in this embodiment also features a foot loop 58 at its furthest end.
Optionally, the tensioning strap 16 may further include a tension measuring device 56, such as a spring gauge or scale, which enables the user to objectively observe the optimum amount of tension and better control this self administered therapy.
In an alternate embodiment, the wristband 14 may be provided with a quilted collar or other suitable padding (not shown) along its distal edge 29 for increased user comfort.
While in the preferred embodiment the tensioning strap 16 is fixed to the wristband 14 by stitching, other constructions are also possible. For example, the proximal ends of the tensioning strap 16 may be formed as eyelets or loops, with the wristband 14 passing through both eyelets thereby interlocking the wristband 14 to the tensioning strap 16. Such an arrangement would allow the proximal ends of the tensioning strap 16 to be freely positioned about the perimeter of the wristband 14.

In a further embodiment as shown in Figure 6, a wrist-engaging strip 80 is provided. The wrist-engaging strip 80 sized to span approximately half of the circumference of the wrist 12 and includes eyelets 82 at both of its ends. A tensioning-cinching loop 84 is passed through both eyelets 82 of the wrist-engaging strip 80, thereby interlocking the tension-cinching loop 84 and the wrist-engaging strip 80. Optionally, the longitudinal length of the tensioning-cinching loop 84 may be adjustable through use of an adjustable fastener 86. To position the stretching device according to this embodiment, the user places his or her wrist 12 proximate to a portion of the tensioning-cinching loop 84 and slides the wrist-engaging strip 80 toward the wrist 12. Then, when a forward force is applied at the far end of the tension-cinching loop 84, in the same manner as the tensioning strap 16 shown in Figures 3 and 4, the wrist-engaging strip 80 and the portion of the tension-cinching loop 84 proximate to the wrist 12 are forced together and grip the wrist 12 at the base of the hand 26. This embodiment of the invention disposes of the need for dedicated attaclunent means at the wrist 12 , such as hook and loop fasteners.
Although the invention has been described and illustrated in connection with certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto.
Many modifications and variations will now be obvious to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the invention cover all alternate embodiments as may be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (19)

1. A stretching device actuatable by a user's foot for applying a forward tensioning force to a user's wrist comprising, a wristband having a longitudinal length selected to substantially encircle said wrist while preventing sliding movement past said user's hand, a tensioning member extending from a lateral edge of said wristband, said tensioning member being engageable by said foot, whereby the flexure of said foot applies a tensioning force on said tensioning member and wristband.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tensioning member comprises a pair of flexible webs, each of said webs being elongated in a longitudinal direction and extending from a respective proximal end portion to a distal end portion, the proximal end portion of each of said webs being secured to said wristband, and a coupling device for securing the distal end portion of a first one of said pair of webs to the distal end portion of the second other one of said webs.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said coupling device permits the releasable and adjustable coupling of the distal end portions of said first and second webs.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wristband comprises an elongated flexible member extending from a first end portion to a second end portion, and a coupling device for releasably securing said flexible member about at least a portion of said wrist, said coupling device including a hook fastener coupled to said first end and a loop fastener coupled to said second end so as to releasably engage said hook fastener when said flexible member is positioned about said wrist.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tensioning strap further includes a locating device to assist in locating a portion of said tensioning strap across the ball of said user's foot.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wristband further comprises padding along said lateral edge, and when said wristband is positioned about said user's wrist, said lateral edge comprising a distal edge portion spaced closest to said user's hand.

7. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said flexible webs are secured to said wristband at positions selected such that when said wristband is positioned about said user's wrist, said flexible webs assume an orientation extending along substantially opposed sides of said user's hand.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein each of said webs includes generally planar lateral surfaces, whereby upon the application of the tensioning force, the planar surface of a first one of said pair of webs substantially orients in juxtaposition with a first palm side of said user's hand, and the planar surface of said second other of said pair of webs substantially orients in juxtaposition with a second back side of said user's hand.

9. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of said webs includes generally planar lateral surfaces, whereby upon the application of the tensioning force, the planar surface of a first one of said pair of webs substantially orients in juxtaposition with a first palm side of said user's hand, and the planar surface of said second other of said pair of webs substantially orients in juxtaposition with a second back side of said user's hand.

10. A stretching device for use in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome comprising:
a wristband having a longitudinal length selected to substantially encircle a user's wrist, a flexible tensioning strap extending from a first end to a second end, said first end of said tensioning strap being secured to said wristband at a plurality of locations along the longitudinal length of said wristband, said second end being adapted for releasable engagement by a biasing member selected from a door handle, a door jamb, furniture and a user's foot.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said tensioning strap comprises a loop having a longitudinal length substantially corresponding to a longitudinal length of said user's outstretched leg.

12. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said tensioning strap comprises a planar flexible web extending from a first end portion to a second end portion, said first and second end portions of said web being secured to said wristband at positions selected such that when said wristband is positioned about said user's wrist, said first and second end portions of said web assume an orientation along substantially opposite sides of said user's hand.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said web includes a substantially planar lateral surface, wherein on the engagement by the biasing member, the planar surface of the first end portion of the web orients substantially in juxtaposition with a first palm side of said user's hand, and the planar surface of the second end portion orients substantially in juxtaposition with a second back side of said user's hand.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said tensioning strap comprises a first strap member, a second strap member, and a connector for adjustably coupling a portion of said first strap member to a portion of said second strap member.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said wristband comprises an elongated flexible member extending from a first wristband end portion to a second wristband end portion, and a coupling device for releasably securing said flexible member about at least a portion of said wrist, said coupling device including a hook fastener coupled to said first wristband end portion and a loop fastener coupled to said second wristband end portion so as to releasably engage said hook fastener when said flexible member is positioned about said wrist.

16. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said second end of said tensioning strap is engageable by said user's foot, said tensioning strap being elongated in a forward direction and having a length approximately corresponding to the length of said user's outstretched leg, whereby the flexure of said user's foot applies a forward tensioning force on said tensioning strap.

17. A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said second end of said tensioning strap is engageable by said user's foot, said tensioning strap being elongated in a forward direction and having a length approximately corresponding to the length of said user's outstretched leg, whereby the flexure of said user's foot applies a forward tensioning force on said tensioning strap.

18. A device as claimed in claim 12 wherein immediately adjacent each of said first and second end portions said web extends in an orientation generally perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of said wristband.

19. A device as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a tension gauge for providing the user with a visual indication of the tensioning force applied by the tensioning strap.