GB2456766A

GB2456766A - Hinged ankle brace

Info

Publication number: GB2456766A
Application number: GB0801099A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Collington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-01-22
Filing date: 2008-01-22
Publication date: 2009-07-29
Also published as: GB0801099D0

Abstract

A hinged ankle brace comprises a shoe-like structure C attached to a rigid brace B by means of a hinge A. The brace is fastened to the leg and the shoe to the foot by means of straps. The swaps maybe connected to each other by means of buckles, hook and look fastening or similar. The brace allows the foot to move in an up and down motion, but prevents sideways motion. The brace supports the supination of the foot and helps with the pronation of the foot and leg.

Description

Medical shoe This invention relates to a device that helps to stabilize the lower leg and foot and to keep the suprnation of the foot in line. It also helps with the pronation of the leg to the foot, through the ankle.

The use of other leading medical shoes can lead to other difficulties. The use of the boot and bar method can lead to complication with the hips and even displacement of joints. Further more the mobility of a child is also hindered together with no support within the main ankle area. Which many believe can cause a relapse of the club foot.

The use of my invention does keep the ankle stabilized throughout the whole walking, crawling process. Without any hindrance to the person, helping them to feel confident in everyday movement. The rigidness of the invention also helps to make sure there is no relapse of a club foot when used in that type of therapy as it keeps the supination of the foot perfectly inline.

The invention has a joint that mimics the anide to a certain degree but keeps it in a stable position but with the up and down motion only. The invention is rigid throughout the base and rear leg clamp. The straps to hold the invention in position on the foot and to the leg are made of leather and Velcro. But will have variations to straps so they could be buckled, or other type of fastening strap. The actual size of the invention will vary to accompany the person who will be wearing the invention The joint means the hinged motion is within the area of the ankle joints relative to the person who wears the invention.

Stable means that the foot and lower leg are in a solid position apart from the hinge that allows up and down movement but no side to side movement.

Supmation: -supination of foot is a combination of inward rotation at the anide, adduction of the hindfoot, inversion of the forefoot, and medial arch elevation; -supination is 3 planes of motion simultaneously: -adduction -inversion -plantarfiexion Pronation: -pronation is also 3 planes of motion simultaneously -abduction of forefoot; -eversion of hindfoot; -dorsiflexion -medial arch depressed; -deficiency of medial forefoot post.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

-I-

Figures 1 & 2. Shows a rigid unit that is fitted to a foot and leg and fastened using straps.

Figure 3. Shows a fastening device that is in Velcro used to fasten the invention to the leg and foot.

Figure 4. Shows a fastening device with an alternative clamping mechanism.

Figure 5. Shows a fastening device with another clamping mechanism.

In Figure 1, a hinge A is used to connect the rigid units of the leg support B to the foot support C. Point A is freely hinged around the rotation as shown by H. B and C are made veiy rigid to accompany the foot and leg and would be made from a sturdy compound, these are covered inside with a padding material to make comfortable. The exterior of B and C would be covered in a material or left bare. The base of C, which is E is made of a none slip material. D is a padded material again used for comfort. F and G are part of the fastening system to fasten the invention in place to the foot and leg.

In Figure 2, this shows the opposite side of the invention just to show the other half of the fastening system that is used A and B. In Figure 3, A, this is the connecting strap that is used in figure 1, F and 0 this is attached to figure 1, B and C. B is a looped material for B to go through and be tightened so that C connects to D when folded onto itself. B is the connecting strap that is used in figure 2, A and B which are attached to figure 2 C and D. In Figure 4, A, this is the connecting strap that is used in figure 1, F and 0 this is attached to figure 1, B and C. B is used to connect C. C is looped through B and tightened and D will then go through C to fasten. C is the connecting strap that is used in figure 2, A and B which are attached to figure 2 C and D. In FigureS, A, this is the connecting strap that is used in figure 1, F and 0 this is attached to figure 1, B and C. C is fed through B which is tightened and the push clamp holds C in place using a ratchet type system. C is the connecting strap that is used in figure 2, A and B which are attached to figure 2 C and D.

Claims

Claims 1. A rigid unit that supports the anide and allows it to move in an up and down motion with no side to side motion.
2. A rigid unit that supports the foot inline.
3. A rigid unit that supports the supination of the foot.
4. A rigid unit that helps with the pronation of the foot and leg.
5. A rigid unit that holds the leg and foot inline but with movement.