DE202021001349U1 - Stretching device for stretching the rotatory muscles of the forearm for therapy and prevention of the tennis elbow and the golfer's elbow - epicondylitis - Google Patents

Abstract

Stretching device for stretching the rotatory muscles of the forearm is characterized by the fact that it stretches the forearms in both directions of rotation (supination, pronation).

Description

The underlying problem

The invention relates to the basic consideration that the central problem of epicondylitis (tennis elbow, golfer's elbow) is not an overload syndrome. It is likely caused by the shortening of several muscles in the forearm. These muscles are primarily responsible for generating external rotation (supination) and internal rotation (pronation). If you stretch these rotators, it can have a healing effect.

However, the stretching exercises on these muscles are difficult for the layperson to understand and perform. It is therefore logical to develop a device for this purpose.

Troubleshooting

The stretching device described here is intended to guide and maintain the stretching exercises required for this on the patient. The patient should be able to manually control the intensity of the stretching.

The stretching device should enable him to do exercises that he would be able to carry out only with difficulty without the device and which would cause the greatest possible stretching and healing effect.

Basically, the hand of the arm to be stretched is fixed in two different positions of a device ( 2 , 3rd ). It is practical to use two different devices or modules for this. A module fixes the hand in an overstretched position of the wrist (dorsiflexion, 2 ) and another module in a flexed position of the wrist (palmar flexion, 3rd ). Both modules can rotate around an axis that coincides with the longitudinal axis of the forearm. In addition, the forearm can be fixed to the module by means of a cuff in order to reduce the rotational forces that act on the wrist.

The patient fixes one hand in the module, makes the necessary settings on the device with the other hand using operating elements (rotary knobs, levers) and also using operating elements, lets the module rotate in the desired stretching direction. The movements of the control elements are transferred to the device, e.g. by levers, tie rods, drive belts, cables or servomotors. The rotation warps the forearm and the desired rotatory muscles are stretched.

After stretching long enough in both directions, you swap one module for the other and extend the arm again in both directions of rotation. Then treat the other arm. The hand modules could be equipped with plug and click connections to enable quick, tool-free replacement. For example, you can also use a rotatable or foldable changing device (revolver, lens change). The entire device can also be controlled and regulated by a sensor-equipped computer.

Regardless of the position of the corresponding arm (e.g. retroversion - rear, upper position): it must be extended in the elbow. There are a number of design options. For example, small devices for mounting on a table (arm hangs down vertically) and devices on the wall that allow stretching in the retroversion (rear, upper position;) or in the anteversion (hold-up) are possible.

• Die Tischvariante ist seitlich an einer Tischplatte befestigt. Man kann die Hand in zwei verschiedenen Aufnahmemodulen platzieren. Eines für die Beuge- und eines für die Streckposition (im Handgelenk). Die Rotationsachse ist senkrecht positioniert. Man verwendet dieses Gerät bei herunterhängendem gestrecktem Arm. An die Höhe der Hand kann man das Gerät anpassen. Es werden zwei verschiedene Aufnahmemodule verwendet. Eines für die Überstreckung (Dorsalextension), und eines für die Beugung (Palmarflexion).

Table variant ( 5 ):

• The table version is attached to the side of a table top. You can place your hand in two different recording modules. One for the flexion and one for the extension position (in the wrist). The axis of rotation is positioned vertically. This device is used with an extended arm hanging down. The device can be adjusted to the height of the hand. Two different recording modules are used. One for hyperextension (dorsiflexion) and one for flexion (palmar flexion).

• Das Dehnungsgerät ist als größeres Gerät zur Wandmontage oder zur Montage in einem frei stehenden Gestell gedacht. Es soll einen entspannten, gestreckten Arm in eine hintere, obere Position (Retroversion) vorsichtig führen und dort halten.

Variant retroversion (restraints, 1 ):

• The expansion device is intended as a larger device for wall mounting or for mounting in a free-standing frame. It should carefully guide a relaxed, extended arm into a rear, upper position (retroversion) and hold it there.

In contrast to the other device variants, this position stretches the flexor muscles of the elbow. Some of these muscles also have the task of rotating the forearm. Therefore, the highest therapeutic effectiveness of all variants can be achieved in this position.

During the exercise, it is necessary to slightly fix the upper body of the person exercising in a vertical position, e.g. with a cushion in front of the chest and one behind the waist, in order to prevent an evasive movement forwards. As with the other variants, two different hand modules are used again.

Anteversion variant (lead, Fig. 4)

The device should carefully guide a relaxed, stretched arm into a front shoulder-high position (anteversion) and hold it there. As with the other variants, two different hand modules are used again.

The invention has the advantage that it stretches the rotational muscles of the lower part of the body and thus treats the epicondylitis syndrome. The exercises described can easily be carried out independently after a brief introduction to the device. It would be very complicated to do these exercises without this tool.

Figure list

• 1 Variant for stretching the rotatory muscles backwards with a free-standing frame
• 2 Hand module for stretching in hyperextension (dorsiflexion)
• 3rd Hand module for stretching in the flexion of the wrist (palmar flexion)
• 4th Wall mounting variant for stretching the rotatory muscles in advance (anteversion)
• 5 Variant for stretching the rotatory muscles with the arm hanging down

List of reference symbols

1

free-standing frame

2

vertical linear bearing for upward movement of the hand (stretching of the extended arm in the shoulder joint to the rear)

3

Module for holding the hand - rotates around the longitudinal axis of the forearm in both directions

4th

Padding to block the pelvis (avoiding evasive movements)

5

Pad to block the chest (avoiding evasive movements)

6th

Hyperextension pad to fix the hand in hyperextension

7th

Overstretching module - hand rest (palm) - guides the hand in the adjustable overstretching and rotates around the axis of rotation

8th

Overstretching module - axis of rotation for stretching the rotator muscles

9

Flexion module - pad to fix the hand in flexion

10

Flexion module - axis of rotation for stretching the rotator muscles

11

Flexion module - hand rest (back of the hand) - guides the hand in adjustable flexion and rotates around the axis of rotation

Claims (6)

Stretching device for stretching the rotatory muscles of the forearm is characterized by the fact that it stretches the forearms in both directions of rotation (supination, pronation). A stretching device for stretching the rotatory muscles of the forearm is characterized by the fact that it stretches the forearm by means of suitable recording modules for the corresponding hand, both in the hyperextension (dorsiflexion) of the wrist and in the overbending (palm flexion) of the wrist. Stretching device for stretching the rotatory muscles of the forearm is characterized by the fact that it does not matter in which position the arm to be stretched is positioned by the device (e.g. in the hold, the restraint, in a horizontal sideways position, in an upward position or in a hanging down position). However, a device that performs the rotating stretch in a rear, upper position (retroversion) is preferable because it also stretches the flexor muscles of the elbow. Stretching device for stretching the rotatory muscles of the forearm is characterized in that the slow movements of the device are brought about by the user through control elements via appropriate remote control elements, for example via cables, chains, drive belts or servomotors. Stretching device for stretching the rotatory muscles of the forearm is characterized by the fact that it can be controlled and regulated by a sensor-equipped computer. Stretching device for stretching the rotatory muscles of the forearm is characterized by the fact that, in the variant that leads the arm backwards, the upper body prevents evasive movements of the trunk by means of fixing pads at chest and pelvic level.

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