WO1994021201A1

WO1994021201A1 - Physical therapy ankle support

Info

Publication number: WO1994021201A1
Application number: PCT/AU1994/000128
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Henry Clifford Lester; Desmond John Horne
Original assignee: United Pacific Industries Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1993-03-15
Filing date: 1994-03-15
Publication date: 1994-09-29

Abstract

An ankle support including: (a) a body portion (1) adapted to substantially surround the ankle and the mid portion of the foot; (b) means (4) for tensioning the body portion; and (c) at least one rigid or semi rigid support (11) which in use extends from a position above the ankle to the mid foot portion.

Description

PHYSICAL THERAPY ANKLE SUPPORT

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a physical therapy ankle support.

Background of the Invention Physical therapy supports, eg. ankle and knee braces, have been developed to provide appropriate physical support to areas of the body which have been injured eg. strained. In sports such as football and tennis it is common for competitors to injure their joints necessitating these external supports to be applied to supplement the injured muscles, tendons etc. In one basic form, it is common to apply taping or strapping to an injured part of the body. These either adhere to the body or are provided with an adherent end to keep the strapping in place. The application of these types of supports is time consuming and requires a high degree of dexterity of the person applying them.

Consequently, investigations were carried out to devise joint specific supports which were easy to apply and remove from the particular part of the body. It is now quite common to have knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow and thigh supports.

In US patent No. 4,961,410 such type of supports are disclosed. In particular, a specific type of layered material from which such supports can be fabricated is disclosed . This material is said to provide light compression, retain body heat whilst stimulating the skin surface. This material is very flexible and can be readily fashioned to fit particular parts of the body.

In Australian Petty Patent No. 607674 another physical therapy support is disclosed which utilizes a "Velcro" tab. The main portion of the support enables the particular part of the body to be enveloped and is held firmly in place by a "Velcro" tab arrangement. This permits a more universal support to be designed for a particular portion of the body e.g. the knee which can be readily adjusted to suit a variety of human anatomical differences.

As mentioned, these patented supports are quite flexible and whilst providing some support may not be of enough support for an injured ankle, for example, which also may require bracing.

Consequently, as an alternative to the use of taping or strapping, semi rigid physical therapy supports have been developed. Typically these supports are comprised of non elastic materials eg. canvass which substantially surround the joint and have a laced portion to allow the material to be tightly bound around the joint. Ankle braces of this type are also constructed so that the non elastic material forms an open toe and heel with lacing extending up the instep of the foot.

Obviously these supports can be more quickly applied to the part of the body compared with conventional taping or strapping, however without more, the supports do not give sufficient rigidity to restrict the movement in the ankle.

Accordingly it is known to include a rigid or semi rigid support to the outer side of the upper leg and downward across the ankle to the heel in combination with either strapping or a lace-up support. This assists in providing greater support to the joint. The treatment of injuries to the muscles and tendons in the ankle region is assisted by the prevention of specific types of movement but allows others. In particular, lateral or sub-talar movements of the foot should be restricted but dorsi-plantar flexion of the foot such as those that occur in normal walking may be permitted. This maximises recovery of the tendons and muscles without undue restriction on the movement of a person.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to improvements in semi-rigid physical therapy supports which provide support for the ankle by restricting movement in certain directions but allowing movement in other directions.

Description of the Invention

According to a first embodiment of the invention, an ankle support is provided including a body portion adapted to substantially surround the ankle and the mid foot portion of the foot, means for tensioning the body portion, and at least one rigid or semi rigid support which in use extends from a position above the ankle to the mid foot portion.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rigid or semi rigid support in use extends from a position above the ankle across a substantial part of the mid foot portion. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the rigid or semi rigid support is adapted to minimize the sub-talar movement of the foot whilst allowing dorsi-plantar flexion. This support is preferably planar so as to fit closely to the contour of the ankle region. Typically the support will be fabricated of a polyurethane material having a hardness of the range 60 to 120 durometer and a thickness of range 2mm to 5mm. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the body portion includes an outer substantially non elastic layer (e.g. canvass/vinyl) and an inner layer of flexible material. As the inner layer is destined to to be in contact with the skin it will preferably provide light compression and retain body heat whilst stimulating the skin surface. The material disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,961,410 is a suitable material from which the inner layer may be fabricated. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the rigid or semi rigid support is located on an inner surface of the body portion. To this end a pocket may be formed on that inner surface to define where the support is to be located. In this way the exact positioning of the support can be determined to ensure proper functioning of the ankle support.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a separate pocket may be formed on either or both sides of the support so that the support may be used for either foot. More preferably, the pocket or pockets may include an opening to allow the rigid or semi rigid support to be easily inserted or removed. This opening is preferably in the inner layer. In this way the chances of the rigid or semi rigid support being dislodged is minimised.

Description of the Drawings

The invention is now illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a support embodying one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective front view of the support of Fig.1 with the laces removed and tongue pulled forward ;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a rigid or semi rigid support;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section of Fig. 2 along the line A-B with the pocket open;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view as in Fig. 4 with the pocket closed.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the support comprises a body portion (1) having a non-elastic outer layer (2) typically of canvass or other suitable material, and inner layer (3). Inner layer (3) is of material exhibiting high thermal retention characteristics and forms a lining in the brace which has the advantage of a comfortable fit for the person and heat retention to assist in the treatment of injuries to the muscles and tendons about the ankle. The support is also comprised of eyelets (4), tongue (5), and laces (6) which when fastened as shown in Fig. 1 form an open toe and heel.

The body portion (1) has two pockets (7,8) which are positioned on both sides of the brace. Access to the pockets (7,8) is via the openings (9,10) in inner layer (3). The pockets (7, 8) are formed by stitching through both the outer layer (2) and inner layer (3). The openings (9, 10) to the pockets (7,8) are more clearly shown in Fig. 2. The shape of the pockets (7, 8) are adapted to securely position and hold a support (11) the shape of which is shown in Fig. 3.

By the use of two pockets (7, 8) the brace is non left/right specific ie the support(s) (11) may be inserted in either or both for use on either the left or right foot. As indicated above Fig. 3 discloses a support (11) for use in the body portion (1). Support (11) is constructed of a semi rigid material, typically plastic. The significance of the shape is that when placed in position in either or both of the pockets (7,8) of the body portion (1), the support (11) extends from the distal leg downwardly across the ankle region and into the mid-foot region. This shape and its positioning in the body portion (1) of the support is significant in that it will allow the plantar-dorsi movement of the foot whilst minimising the sub-talar flexion of the foot.

As more clearly described in Figures 4 and 5 the support (11) is inserted through an opening (10) into the pocket (8) after which the support (11) is held in place by stitching forming the remainder of the pocket (8).

With further reference to drawings the operation of the support will now be described.

Prior to use of the ankle support by a person a support (11) is inserted through either openings (9) or (10) and into pockets (7) or (8) depending on whether the left or right ankle is affected. Under normal circumstances the support (11) will be inserted into the pocket situate on the outer side of the ankle. Of course, if circumstances require it, a support (11) can be inserted into both pockets (7,8).

Following the insertion of the support (11) into the pockets (7,8), the person inserts their foot into the body portion (1). The person then fastens the ankle support by lacing the body portion (1) by means of threading the laces (6) through the eyelets (4) to firmly secure the body portion (1) around the foot and ankle.

This support is easy to use and adapted for support of either foot. The rigid or semi rigid support insert extends into the mid foot region which helps to closely control the movement of the ankle.

Claims

1. An ankle support including:

(a) a body portion adapted to substantially surround the ankle and the mid portion of the foot; (b) means for tensioning the body portion; and

(c) at least one rigid or semi rigid support which in use extends from a position above the ankle to the mid foot portion;

2. An ankle support according to claim 1, wherein the rigid or semi rigid support in use extends from a position above the ankle across a substantial part of the mid foot portion;

3. An ankle support according to either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the rigid or semi rigid support is adapted to minimise sub-talar movement of the foot whilst allowing dorsi-plantar flexion.

4. An ankle support according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the support is planar.

5. An ankle support according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the rigid or semi rigid support is comprised of polyurethane material having a hardness of 60 to 120 durometer and a thickness of 2mm to 5mm.

6. An ankle support according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the body portion includes an inner and outer layer.

7. An ankle support according to claim 6 wherein the inner layer is a flexible material.

8. An ankle support according to claim 7 wherein the inner layer is adapted to provide light compression, retention of body heat and stimulation to the skin surface.

9. An ankle support according to claim 6 wherein the outer layer is substantially non-elastic.

10. An ankle support according to any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the outer layer is canvass or vinyl.

11 An ankle support according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the body, portion includes at least one pocket to receive the support.

12. An ankle support according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the body portion is adapted to substantially surround the ankle and the mid portion of either foot.

13. An ankle support according to claim 12 wherein the body portion includes two pockets, each adapted to receive the rigid or semi rigid support.

14. An ankle support according to claims 11 and 12 wherein the pocket or pockets include an opening through which the rigid or semi rigid support is received or removed.

15. An ankle support according to claim 14 wherein the opening is located in the inner layer of the body portion.

16. The ankle support which is substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the description and drawings.