GB2528103A

GB2528103A - Anti-dislocation garment for hip

Info

Publication number: GB2528103A
Application number: GB1412274.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chukwuemeka Okwudili Nnene
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-10
Filing date: 2014-07-10
Publication date: 2016-01-13
Also published as: GB201412274D0

Abstract

A lightweight, user-friendly ergonomic device to help stabilise a hip joint after a total hip replacement which can be worn in similar fashion to a garment, incorporating elastic materials that oppose the forces leading to hip dislocation. The device incorporates resistance bands 1, 4, 5, 6 ,7 of material that limit the movement of the joint when it is placed in positions that predispose to dislocation. There is a facility for the use of a zipper 3 to allow ease of donning and removal and panels can be added to allow bodily functions.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Anti-Dislocation Garment (AUG) for Hip-

Background-

Stabilisation Garments for Hip after Total Hip Replacement (THR) This invention relates to a garment that helps to stabilise an unstable or dislocating hip joint or prevent dislocation of the joint and reduce injury when an external force is applied. The garment can have specific applications in preventing or limiting joint injury, in this case the dislocation of a total hip replacement.

Joint dislocations and injuries occur when an external force Is applied to a joint in a vulnerable position. Before a dislocation occurs there are protective mechanisms in the body that are overcome and fail. These are the ligaments and muscles that stabilise the joint.

Rather than acting merely as cushioning or padding the garments work by providing elastic tension in specific directions to augment the natural protective mechanisms of joints and oppose the dislocating forces.

Hip dislocation occurs in 1-2 percent of hip replacements.

A stable hip is a combination of component alignment, joint position, ligament integrity and muscle tone. After a post-operative hip dislocation component alignment is already pre-determined. The ligaments are torn or stretched and the muscle tone is often poor due to laxity or damage.

Most abduction braces work by using bulky and cumbersome metal or plastic struts to hold the hip in an abducted position. The anti-dislocation garment acts by augmenting the forces that keep the hip in joint and opposing those that dislocate the hip.

Most dislocations are posterior and occur when the hip is flexed beyond 90 degrees and in the internally rotated adducted position. The ADG augments the extension and abduction forces and counteracts the internal rotation forces. Some dislocations occur with the hip in extension and external rotation and specific garment designs can be prepared to oppose these forces

Statement of Invention

The present invention proposes the use of garments which have specific areas of reinforcement with an elastic type material working in conjunction with and to augment the natural forces in the body to protect a joint and limit excessive movement The invention can be worn in a similar manner to a garment rather than an orthosis and has application in preventing the dislocation of an unstable total hip replacement.To overcome a dislocation, the present invention makes use of elastic panels to act in opposition to the dislocating forces and can be worn like a garment allowing ease of use.

This requires knowledge of the anatomical structures that are stretched or torn during the injury or dislocation and the protective mechanisms that limit the damage. Usually the joint capsule is torn or stretched with associated injury to the gluteus medius and minimus muscles. The garment helps to augment the action of these structures.

Advantages The garments will be easy to apply and of minimal bulk They will be more comfortable and ergonomic in general than existing braces They will offer additional resistance to the forces that cause injury over and above the natural protective mechanisms of the body.

The ADG5 for hip is lighter and less cumbersome than hip braces or devices which rely solely on padding and can therefore allow easier activity and functions. It relies on a stable fixation above the joint and a stable attachment distally. This allows the specifically placed and contoured elastic within the garment to replicate muscle contraction and oppose dislocating or injurious forces. The devices can incorporate judiciously placed padding to improve safety and joint stability.

Introduction to drawings

An example of the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 Shows an example of the anti-dislocation garment (ADG) for the hip from the anterior view.

Figure 2 Shows an example of the anti-dislocation garment (ADG) for the hip from the posterior view.

Figure 3: Shows an example of the anti-dislocation garment (ADG) for the hip from the side view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The garment consists of a pair of elasticated close-fitting short trousers as in Fig 1 which have a horizontal reinforced band 1 that sits above the antero-superior iliac spine and another horizontal reinforced band 6 that is at the level of the lower thigh! There is a vertical lateral band 4 that extends from the iliac crest to to the lower band. This creates an abduction force augmenting the function of the gluteus medius and minimus. There is a posterior vertical band 8 that runs from the postero-superior iliac spine posteriorly over the buttock and down to the lower horizontal band. This creates an extension force at the hip. There are addition al horizontal bands 7 that create an external rotation force at the hip and oblique bands S that create a combined external rotation and flexion force similar to the action of Sartorius. These reinforced bands are created by incorporating a high tension elastic material over the fabric of the base garment. Multiple layers can be added to enhance the effect.

Due to the high elasticity of the material, the forces generated and the general age of the main target population the garment is donned by means of a central zip 2 and incorporates a panel 3 to permit bodily functions. This reduces the frequency of removal of the garment allowing it to perform its intended function.

Key to Figures 1. Superior Horizontal elasticated support band- 2. Zip facility 3. Panel to allow bodily functions 4. Lateral vertical band S. An Oblique band 6. Inferior horizontal band 7. Additional horizontal bands 8. Posterior vertical band

Claims

CLAIMSFirst Claim 1. A lightweight device utilising elastic type sections contoured and aligned to best advantage to help replicate or combat muscle function and stabilise the hip joint and prevent or oppose excessive movement at the joint which can be worn like a garment in conjunction with /under regular clothing.

Dependant Claim
2. A lightweight device according to claim one utilising elastic type sections contoured and aligned to best advantage to help replicate or combat muscle function and stabilise the hip, which can be worn like a garment in conjunction with /under regular clothing.
3. A protective garment according to claim one in which the garment incorporates sections of elastic type material with a reinforced upper and lower section to provide a counter-balance for the elastic sections.
4. A lightweight device according to claim one where a zipper can be added to permit easy application.
5. A lightweight device according to claim one where panels can be provided to permit bodily functions.
6. A lightweight device according to claim one with facility for padding to be added to provide additional protection in case of falls.