JP2009268785A - Knee joint movement device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a knee joint movement device for allowing a user to perform the normal movement of a knee joint (a movement to bend, stretch, or the like a knee straight without twisting) and also allowing any users different in body size to use the device. <P>SOLUTION: The tool is obtained by connecting four or more support bodies different in length (an H shape member, a plate-like member, or the like), so as to rotate the ends of the support bodies in a ring shape. In a state where one or more support bodies are stably arranged on a floor surface, the shape of the device is freely deformed so as to adjust the height of one connection part from the floor surface to be suitable for placing a leg to allow the lower end of the thighbone of a knee joint moving person to abut thereon. The knee joint is moved by moving a tibial bone in a state where the lower end of the thighbone is to abut onto a connection part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an instrument used for operating a knee joint. More specifically, when pain occurs due to the displacement of the positional relationship of the knee joint parts (femur, tibia, meniscus, etc.), it is used to restore the positional relationship, or to prevent it. The present invention relates to a device suitable for performing.

  Two crescent-shaped meniscuses exist in the gap between the knee joint surfaces composed of the human femur and tibia (see FIG. 1). The meniscus has functions such as dispersing / absorbing the impact generated when it runs or jumps, smoothes the movement of the knee joint such as bending / extension, and stabilizes the knee joint.

  As such knee joint disorders (hereinafter referred to as “knee joint disorders”), “meniscus injury”, “meniscus tear”, “Osgutt's disease”, “degenerative knee arthropathy” and the like are known. If the femur, tibia, meniscus and the like constituting the knee joint are in uniform contact with each other and move smoothly according to the operation of bending / extending the knee joint, the above-described obstacles do not occur. However, although the skeleton moves due to the action of muscles, the muscle force for moving the skeleton in and out and back and forth may differ. Due to this difference in muscle strength, muscle malfunction due to some reason, external force applied unexpectedly, etc., the movement of the knee joint surface becomes a biased movement different from the normal movement, and the entire knee joint contact surface There is a problem that the force is not applied evenly and the force is applied only to a specific part. As a result, the femur, tibia, meniscus and the like are displaced from the state where they are in uniform contact with each other, and a specific part is clogged. And if it is left as it is, the part will be worn or damaged. In more severe cases, the effect extends to the periphery of the knee joint and may damage ligaments, tendons, muscles, and the like.

  Symptoms of knee joint disorders such as the above include symptoms that cause the knee joint to feel clogged, symptoms that the knee joint cannot be stretched straight, pain that occurs, pain that does not cause pain at all, There are various things that cause pain when moving.

  Treatment methods for knee joint disorders vary depending on the symptoms, but when symptoms are mild, so-called conservative treatment (drugs, supporters, intra-articular injection, etc.) should be used, and when symptoms are severe, the meniscus is removed And so on.

  Here, the conservative treatment is performed by performing a normal operation of the knee joint in a daily life (an operation of bending and extending straight without twisting the knee). It is considered that the purpose is to return to the original position (position where the femur, tibia, meniscus, etc. contact each other equally). However, in the case of a painful symptom, the patient moves unconsciously to cover the affected area. As a result, a force is applied only to a specific part of the knee joint, and the positional relationship of the knee joint is further displaced, which may worsen the symptom. In addition, as a result of covering the affected area, the necessary knee joint movement cannot be performed, and there is a possibility that it will take time to completely cure. The action of unintentionally covering the affected part in daily life as described above is caused by a command reflexively issued from the brain when pain occurs, and the action is performed even if the patient is conscious of stopping. It is difficult to stop. In other words, when a knee joint disorder occurs, the normal operation of the knee joint, etc., as a treatment rather than the means of returning the positional relationship of the knee joint to the original position by the normal operation of the knee joint in daily life The person who performed (the operation of bending and extending straight without twisting the knee) can restore the position of the knee joint earlier, and as a result, various uncomfortable as described above. Symptoms can be improved early.

  In addition, treatment such as excision of the meniscus is performed when the symptom is severe, but the present inventor performed the above treatment even in a patient with severe symptom, and the positional relationship of the displaced knee joint. I think that most of the symptoms will be improved by going back. In other words, for patients with knee joint disorders, normal knee joint movements (such as straight bending / extension movements without twisting the knees) are actively performed, and the positional relationship of the displaced knee joints. It is thought that most symptoms can be improved by returning to the original position. Therefore, a device that allows the patient to easily perform normal knee joint movement (movement that flexes and extends straight without twisting the knee) and without burdening the body. Is desired.

As an instrument for operating the knee joint, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are used. The inventions described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 both relate to an instrument that enables operations such as bending and extension of a knee joint in a sitting state. Certainly, the instrument as described above enables the person who performs the knee joint motion to perform the motion of the knee joint in an easy posture and without placing an excessive burden on the knee joint. However, since any of the devices described above is configured to operate the knee joint without fixing either the femur or the tibia, the operation of twisting the joint portion in the operation of the knee joint using the device May occur. Such an operation is inappropriate as an operation for returning the displacement of the positional relationship of the knee joint to the original position. Therefore, for the purpose of treating knee joint disorders, a practitioner who operates the knee joint using the above-described device needs to be conscious not to twist the knee joint, and is troublesome.
JP-A-11-128391 JP 2001-178847 A

  Therefore, the present invention provides an instrument that allows a knee joint operation person to easily perform a normal operation of the knee joint (an operation to bend or extend straight without twisting the knee). Is an issue. It is another object of the present invention to provide a knee joint motion instrument that can be used by all practitioners with different body sizes.

  As means for solving the above problems, the following inventions are provided.

  The ends of the supports (H-shaped member, plate-like member, etc.) having four or more different lengths are connected to each other in an annular manner so that they can rotate with respect to each other, and the shaft is arranged at the connecting portion so as to be the rotation axis of the rotation. The device is a device in which one or more supports are placed on the floor surface and stabilized, the shape of the device is freely deformed, and the height of one shaft from the floor surface is determined by the knee joint operator. Adjust the height to fit the foot so that the lower end of the femur hits, and the knee joint by moving the tibia with the foot placed on the axis so that the lower end of the femur hits I will provide a.

  Specifically, the following inventions are provided.

  In the first invention, the ends of the supports having different lengths of four or more are connected to each other in an annular manner so as to be mutually rotatable, and any one or more of the supports are arranged on the floor surface and are not arranged on the floor surface. Provided is a knee joint motion instrument that can move a knee joint by placing a foot so that the vicinity of the back side of the knee is in contact with a connecting portion between any two supports.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a knee joint motion instrument based on the first aspect, wherein the support is an H-shaped member, and the connecting portion is an axis arranged along the upper and lower sides of the H shape.

  The third invention is based on the first invention or the second invention, and the knee joint motion device is formed by connecting the ends of the support members having different lengths to each other in a polygonal shape so as to be mutually rotatable. A knee joint motion instrument is provided.

  The fourth invention is based on the third invention, and further, the distance between the adjacent connecting portions of the knee joint motion devices connecting the ends of the support members having four different lengths is 15 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 30 cm. In addition, a knee joint motion instrument that is connected in the order described above is provided.

  With the knee joint motion instrument of the present invention, the knee joint motion practitioner can easily perform normal knee joint motion (a motion to bend and extend straight without twisting the knee) in an easy posture. Can be done. As a result, in addition to effective treatment of meniscal injury, it can also have a preventive effect.

  Further, the knee joint motion instrument of the present invention can be deformed into an appropriate shape corresponding to a knee joint motion practitioner of any body size due to its characteristic structure. It can be used by a body-sized knee joint operator.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to these embodiment at all, and can be implemented with various aspects in the range which does not deviate from the summary.
<Outline of this embodiment>

  An example of the knee joint motion instrument of this embodiment is shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. As shown in the figure, for example, four support bodies (in the figure, H-shaped members) (0201) are connected in an annular shape. The connecting means is connected by shafts (0202) at the respective ends of the four supports. That is, the connecting portion connected by the shaft (0202) is configured to be rotatable, and the shape of the knee joint motion instrument is configured to be freely deformable by freely rotating the support (0201). Yes.

As an example of the usage method of the knee joint instrument of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, one or more supports are arranged on the floor (in the figure, two supports are arranged on the floor), and one shaft ( 0302 (A)) is adjusted to an appropriate height from the floor, and the foot is placed so that the lower end of the femur hits the axis (0302 (A)). Then, with the upper part of the tibia lightly pressed by hand (force in the direction indicated by the arrow (A) in the figure), move the tibia in the direction of the arrow (A) in the figure (the direction in which the knee joint is extended), and the knee joint To work. The motion of the tibia at this time may be moved by the practitioner using his / her own leg muscles or may be moved using his / her hand or the like. Alternatively, the assistant may operate the knee joint by holding the tibia portion of the practitioner's foot with his hand or the like and moving it up and down. The person who performs the knee joint motion can perform the motion in a comfortable posture (sitting state, sleeping state, etc.).
<Configuration of this embodiment>
<< Composition of knee joint movement instrument >>

The knee joint motion instrument of the present embodiment is configured by connecting end portions of supports having four or more different lengths in an annular manner so as to be rotatable relative to each other.
<<< support >>>

  The knee joint motion instrument of the present embodiment is configured by “supports having four or more different lengths”. Here, the conceptual diagram of an example of a support body is shown to FIG. 4 (A)-(C). The support of this embodiment may be an H-shaped member as shown in FIG. The “length” of such a support is indicated by (a) in the figure. The length is desirably about 15 to 50 cm. The width (A) is preferably about 20 to 30 cm, and the thickness (U) is preferably about 2 to 3 cm. However, the length, width, and height are not limited to the above-mentioned range, but within the range that can function as a knee-joint operating device used as described above with reference to FIG. If there is, it can be designed freely. The width (d) of the member of the spanning portion (0401) can be freely designed within the range of the length of the support (a: 15 to 50 cm). For example, it may be the same as the width of other members (2 to 3 cm), or may be 10 cm or 15 cm. Furthermore, it may be configured to have the same length as the support and may be a plate-like support as shown in FIG. Further, the number of spanning portions (0401) is not particularly limited, and for example, two spanning portions may be provided as shown in FIG. Furthermore, you may provide three and five span parts. The width of the spanning portion at this time can be freely designed as long as the sum of the widths of all the spanning portions is within the range not exceeding the length of the support (15 to 50 cm). Note that the function of the spanning portion (0401) is to reinforce the toughness of the knee joint operating instrument that is used on the foot. Therefore, as long as the function can be achieved, the shape is not particularly limited, and for example, the bridging portion may be configured in a hooked shape. Such a support can be prepared using wood, a plastic molded product, a light metal processed product made of aluminum or the like, a metal processed product made of iron or the like, and the like.

In addition, as for the four or more support bodies which comprise the knee-joint movement instrument of this embodiment, it is desirable that all lengths differ. However, the support body of the same length may be contained in four or more support bodies.
<<< Linkage of supports >>>

  The knee joint motion instrument of the present embodiment is configured by “connecting the ends of four or more supports in an annular manner so as to be rotatable relative to each other”. The “end portion of the support” corresponds to both end portions in the length (A) direction of the support shown in FIGS. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 (A), the means for “linking the supports so as to be rotatable” may be configured such that the two supports are rotatably connected using a roll-shaped shaft (0501). Good. In FIG. 5A, two supports are rotatably connected by inserting and arranging an axis (0501) along the upper or lower side of the H shape of the support that is an H-shaped member. In such a case, the supports can rotate approximately 360 degrees. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5B, a hinge (0501) may be used for connection. The rotation angle in such a case is limited by the movable range of the hinge.

  The supports need to be able to rotate freely but must be able to be fixed at an arbitrary angle. Therefore, it is desirable that the supports are connected with a strength that satisfies the above requirements. Alternatively, a stopper or the like for fixing at an arbitrary angle may be provided. As the stopper, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a stopper bar (0601) configured to be non-bendable and a stopper bar insertion port (0602) may be provided on the side surface of the support. This is because when the stopper bar (0601) is inserted into the stopper bar insertion slot (0602) at an arbitrary angle, the stopper bar serves as a retentive bar, and the angle between the two supports becomes smaller than the arbitrary angle. By preventing this, an arbitrary angle is maintained.

  The knee joint motion instrument of this embodiment connects the supports in an annular manner so as to be rotatable by means as shown in FIG. 5 (A) or (B). FIG. 2 is an example of a knee joint motion instrument according to the present embodiment, in which four supports (H-shaped members) are connected in an annular shape. In addition, although FIG. 2 showed the example which connected the four support bodies cyclically | annularly, the number of support bodies is not restrict | limited especially, Five support bodies may be connected cyclically, and seven support bodies are attached. You may connect cyclically | annularly. The number is an arbitrary design matter. However, considering the convenience when using the knee joint motion instrument, it is desirable that the number of supports is about four. Further, the distance between adjacent connecting portions (the distance indicated by (a) in FIGS. 7A and 7B) is 15 cm in consideration of the method of using the appliance and the size of a general human body. To about 40 cm.

More preferably, as shown to FIG. 8 (A) and (B), the knee-joint movement apparatus of this embodiment is comprised from four support bodies, and the distance of the four connection parts which connect them is respectively , 15 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, and 30 cm, and it is desirable that they are connected in an annular shape so as to be in the above order. FIG. 8B is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the knee joint operating instrument of FIG. 8A viewed from the side.
<< How to use the knee joint movement device >>

  In the knee joint motion instrument of the present embodiment, any one or more supports are arranged on the floor surface, and the connection part between any two supports not arranged on the floor surface is in the vicinity of the back side of the knee. It is configured to exercise the knee joint with the foot on. That is, any one or more supports disposed on the floor surface serve as a foundation, and any two support members not disposed on the floor surface connect the feet of the knee joint operation operator. It plays the role of the part to put.

  Specifically, in the case of the knee joint motion instrument shown in FIG. 2, two supports are arranged on the floor, and the back side of the knee is placed on the shaft (0202 (A)) which is a connecting portion between the other two supports. You will have to put your feet so that the area is close. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the knee joint motion practitioner puts his / her foot on the knee joint motion device. From this state, the knee joint operator may perform flexion / extension of the knee joint by moving his / her lower leg in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure using the muscles of his / her foot. . Alternatively, the assistant may hold the lower part from the knee of the knee joint operation person's foot and move it in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure to perform the bending / extending operation of the knee joint of the person. Furthermore, the practitioner may hold the lower part from the knee of his / her foot with his / her hand and move the knee joint in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure to perform the bending / extending operation of the knee joint. By performing the operation of the knee joint by the above-described means, the practitioner can perform an easy posture without putting extra force on other parts of the body.

  Note that the shape of the knee joint motion instrument in use shown in FIG. 12 is merely an example, and the knee joint motion instrument of the present embodiment can be used by being transformed into any other shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 (A), a single support is placed on the floor, and a foot is placed so that the connecting portion (0802 (A)) is in the vicinity of the back side of the knee in the shape shown in the figure. May be used. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, a single support is placed on the floor surface, and the shape is as shown in the figure, with the feet placed so that the connecting part (0902 (A)) is near the back of the knee. Alternatively, FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram simply showing the knee joint operating device as viewed from the side. In addition, in order to enable the practitioner to put his / her feet comfortably, the height of the connecting part on which the feet are placed can be adjusted so that it is deformed in any shape and hits the back of the knee. Is possible.

In addition, you may give a protection member to a connection part so that it may not hurt when putting a foot | leg so that the back of a knee may hit. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, a protective member (1003) having appropriate elasticity may be covered on the shaft (1002) that is the connecting portion. The protective member (1003) uses a raw material such as cloth or leather to produce an outer cover, and inside it is packed with a urethane sponge, a piece of cloth, feathers, etc. to provide an appropriate elasticity. It may be as prepared. As the other protective member, as shown in FIG. 11, a member (1103) provided so as to cover the connecting portion with cloth or vinyl may be used. FIG. 11 illustrates the knee joint motion instrument using a plate-like support, but the same protective member can be used in other knee joint motion instruments using a support of an H-shaped member. it can.
<< Usage of knee joint motion devices for the treatment of knee joint disorders >>

Hereinafter, a method for using a knee joint motion device for the treatment of knee joint disorders (such as “meniscus injury”, “meniscus tear”, “Osgutt's disease”, “degenerative knee arthropathy”) will be described.
<Operation of bending the knee joint (FIGS. 13A and 13B)>

  This operation is an effective healing operation for a knee joint disorder in which pain occurs when the knee joint is bent.

  First, a knee joint motion instrument is placed on the floor surface, deformed into an appropriate shape, and then put on a foot as shown in FIG. At this time, care should be taken to place the foot so that the upper end portion of the tibia hits the shaft that is the connecting portion. That is, a force in a direction as indicated by an arrow (A) in the drawing is applied to the upper end portion of the tibia. Then, the lower end portion of the femur is lightly pressed with a hand or the like so that the force in the direction shown by the arrow (A) in the figure is applied to the lower end portion of the femur.

  In the state (FIG. 13A), as shown in FIG. 13B, the lower part (tibia) from the knee is moved in the direction of bending the knee. The movement may be realized by the knee joint operator using the muscles of his / her foot, or by the assistant moving the knee joint operator by holding the lower part from the knee of the leg. Alternatively, it may be realized by moving the knee joint operation person by holding the lower part from the knee of the foot with his / her hand or the like. Also during the operation, the lower end of the femur is kept lightly pressed with a hand or the like so that a force in the direction shown by the arrow (A) in the figure is applied to the lower end of the femur.

  This operation is performed against the force of the arrow (A) in the figure received by the upper end portion of the tibia from the shaft that is the connecting portion of the knee joint motion instrument.

  Here, the symptoms that cause pain when the knee joint is bent are caused by the tibia being pulled too strongly by the muscle when the knee joint is bent (femur, tibia, half moon) This is due to the displacement of the positional relationship between the plate and the like.

Therefore, as described above, by applying an appropriate bending force (arrow (A) in the figure) to the upper end of the tibia and bending the knee joint, the tibia is strengthened. It is possible to perform a normal knee joint operation (operation to bend straight without twisting the knee) while moderately suppressing pulling. As a result, the position of the displaced meniscus is returned to an appropriate position.
<Operation to extend the knee joint (FIGS. 14A and 14B)>

  This operation is an effective healing operation for a knee joint disorder that causes pain when the knee joint is extended.

  First, a knee joint motion instrument is placed on the floor surface, deformed into an appropriate shape, and then put on a foot as shown in FIG. At this time, care should be taken to place the foot so that the lower end portion of the femur hits the shaft that is the connecting portion. That is, a force in the direction shown by the arrow (A) in the figure is applied to the lower end of the femur. Then, the upper end portion of the tibia is lightly pressed with a hand or the like so that a force in the direction indicated by the arrow (A) in the figure is applied to the upper end portion of the tibia.

  In the state (FIG. 14A), as shown in FIG. 14B, the lower part (tibia) from the knee is moved in the direction of extending the knee. The movement may be realized by the knee joint operator using the muscles of his / her foot, or by the assistant moving the knee joint operator by holding the lower part from the knee of the leg. Alternatively, it may be realized by moving the knee joint operation person by holding the lower part from the knee of the foot with his / her hand or the like. Also during this operation, the upper end portion of the tibia is kept lightly pressed with a hand or the like so that a force in the direction shown by the arrow (A) in the figure is applied to the upper end portion of the tibia.

  This operation is performed against the force of the arrow (A) in the figure received from a hand or the like that is lightly pressed by the upper end portion of the tibia.

  Here, symptoms that cause pain when the knee joint is extended are caused by the tibia being pulled too strongly by the muscle when the knee joint is extended. This is due to the displacement of the positional relationship between the plate and the like.

Therefore, as described above, the tibia is strengthened by performing the operation of extending the knee joint while applying an appropriate force (arrow (A) in the figure) in the opposite direction to the operation of extending the knee to the upper end portion of the tibia. It is possible to perform a normal knee joint operation (a motion of extending straight without twisting the knee) while moderately suppressing pulling. As a result, the position of the displaced meniscus is returned to an appropriate position.
<Effect of this embodiment>

  With the knee joint motion instrument of the present embodiment, the knee joint motion practitioner can easily perform normal knee joint motion (without twisting the knee) in an easy posture (sitting state, sleeping state, etc.). In addition, it is possible to perform a straight bending / extending operation). As a result, in addition to effective treatment of knee joint disorders (such as meniscus injury), a preventive effect thereof can be obtained. Further, the knee joint motion instrument of the present embodiment can be deformed into an appropriate shape corresponding to a knee joint motion practitioner of any body size due to its characteristic structure. It can be used by knee joint motion practitioners of all body sizes.

Illustration for explaining the knee joint Example 1 of a knee joint motion instrument of this embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method of using the knee joint motion instrument of the present embodiment. Example 1 of the support of the present embodiment Example 2 of the support of the present embodiment Example 3 of the support of this embodiment Connecting means 1 of the support of this embodiment Connecting means 2 of the support of this embodiment An example of means for fixing the shape of the knee joint motion instrument of this embodiment FIG. 1 for explaining the concept of the distance between connecting portions according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 for explaining the concept of the distance between the connecting portions of this embodiment. Example 2 of knee joint motion instrument of this embodiment Example 3 of knee joint motion instrument of this embodiment Example 4 of knee joint motion instrument of this embodiment An example 1 of the protection member of the connection part of this embodiment Example 2 of the protective member for the connecting portion of this embodiment FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a method for using the knee joint motion instrument of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a method of using the knee joint motion instrument according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of using the knee joint motion instrument of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

0201 Support body 0202 Connecting part (shaft)

Claims (4)

  Ends of supports with four or more different lengths are connected to each other in an annular manner so that they can rotate with each other, and any one or more supports are arranged on the floor surface, and any two supports not arranged on the floor surface A knee joint motion device that allows you to exercise your knee joint by placing your feet so that the back of the knee is in contact with the joints between the bodies.   2. The knee joint motion instrument according to claim 1, wherein the support is an H-shaped member, and the connecting portion is a shaft arranged along an upper side and a lower side of the H shape.   The knee joint motion instrument according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the knee joint motion instrument is formed by connecting ends of support bodies having four different lengths in a polygonal shape so as to be rotatable relative to each other.   The distances between the adjacent connecting parts of the knee joint motion devices in which the ends of the support bodies having four different lengths are connected are 15 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, and 30 cm, and are connected in the order described above. The knee joint movement instrument according to claim 3.