Therapeutic ankle orthosis

• US 5,902,259 A
• Filed: 12/27/1995
• Issued: 05/11/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary Wilkerson
• Original Assignee: Gary Wilkerson
• Inventors: Wilkerson, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, KIM M
• Application Number:
  US08/578,968
• Time in Patent Office: 1,231 Days
• Field of Search: 602/5, 602/16, 602/23, 602/27-29, 128/882
• US Class Current: 602/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/0158 with locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0127 for the feet A61F5/0111 takes precedence

Abstract

A therapeutic ankle orthosis including overlapping medial and foot shells pivotally interconnected to permit pivotal foot movement about the talocrural joint with the overlapping portions of the medial and foot shells secured together to protect against ankle ligament injury from rotation of the foot and leg in opposite directions in the horizontal plane, said ankle orthosis includes interactive effective means for accentuating the compression effect on the soft tissues surrounding the fibular malleolus for control of ankle swelling.

Claims

1. A therapeutic ankle orthosis comprising:

(a) an extended lateral shell having a positioning aperture corresponding to the fibular malleolus and having a lower end portion extending downwardly beneath that aperture;

(b) an extended medial shell adapted to fit beneath and upwardly about the tibial malleolus;

(c) a foot shell adapted to underlie the rear foot and having an upper medial side portion extending upwardly to overlap the lower end portion of the medial shell;

(d) pivot means connecting the lower end portion of the medial shell to the side portion of the foot shell permitting angular movement of the foot shell relative to the lateral shell about an axis substantially coincident with the functional axis of the talocrual joint,

(e) locking means for selectively preventing angular movement of the foot shell relative to the medial shell;

(f) securing means for holding together the overlapping lower end portion of the medial shell and the side portion of the foot shell forwardly of the pivot means to resist ankle inversion and eversion; and

(g) adjustable strap means for holding the shells in operative position on the leg and ankle and foot and for applying focal compression to control edema of the ankle.

2. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 1 wherein the lateral shell is contoured to match the lateral contour of the ankle and generally to fit the lower leg and ankle.

3. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 1 wherein the medial shell lower end portion overlaps the foot shell side portion.

4. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 3 wherein the pivot means is a rivet fixed to the foot shell side portion and extending outwardly through a hole in the overlapping medial shell lower end portion and having a head holding the overlapping side and end shell portions together.

5. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 1 wherein a curved slot is formed in one of the overlapping medial shell lower end portions and the foot shell side portion, the curve of the slot being centered about the axis of the pivot means, one end of the slot being approximately horizontally forward of the pivot means axis and the other end of the slot being at least about 45°

downwardly and forwardly of the pivot means axis when the orthosis is positioned on a leg and foot and said leg and foot are positioned vertically and horizontally, respectively.

6. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 5 wherein the slot is formed in the medial shell lower end portion and the lower end portion overlaps the foot shell side portion.

7. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 5 wherein the locking means comprises removable locking screw extending through the slot at one end thereof into threaded engagement with the other of the overlapping medial shell lower end portion and foot shell side portion.

8. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 7 wherein the slot is formed in the medial shell lower end portion, said lower end portion overlapping the foot shell side portion, and the removable locking screw is in threaded engagement with the foot shell side portion.

9. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 5 wherein the securing means comprises a post affixed to the other of the overlapping medial shell lower end portions and the foot shell side portion, the post extending through the slot intermediate the ends thereof when the leg and foot are vertical and horizontal, respectively, and a cap on the outer end of the post for holding that shell portion in which the slot is formed against the other shell portion.

10. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 9 wherein the slot is formed in the medial shell lower end portion, the lower end portion overlapping the foot shell side portion, and the post is affixed to the foot shell side portion.

11. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 1 which includes a U-pad disposed beneath and upwardly about the aperture of the lateral shell and having a vertical channel to facilitate edema drainage during application of focal compression.

12. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 1 which includes a pad on the inside of the medial shell.

13. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 1 wherein the shells are semi-rigid.

14. A therapeutic ankle orthosis comprising:

(a) an extended lateral shell having a positioning aperture corresponding to the fibular malleolus and having a lower end portion extending downwardly beneath that aperture;

(b) an extended medial shell adapted to fit beneath and upwardly about the tibial malleolus;

(c) a foot shell adapted to underlie the rear foot and having an upper medial side portion extending upwardly to overlap the lower end portion of the medial shell;

(d) pivot means connecting the lower end portion of the medial shell to the side portion of the foot shell permitting angular movement of the foot shell relative to the lateral shell about an axis substantially coincident with the functional axis of the talocrual joint;

(e) locking means for selectively preventing angular movement of the foot shell relative to the medial shell;

(f) securing means for holding together the overlapping lower end portion of the medial shell and the side portion of the foot shell forwardly of the pivot means to resist ankle inversion and eversion; and

(g) adjustable strap means for holding the shells in operative position on the leg and ankle and foot wherein the strap means comprises a strap fixed at one end to a forward portion of the foot shell and threaded through first slots in the lateral shell, a second strap fixed at one end to a rearward portion of the foot shell and threaded through second slots in the lateral shell and adjustably securable at its opposite end to said buckling means, and one or more leg straps affixed at one end to the upper portion of a side shell and adjustably secured at its opposite end to said upper portion of the medial shell.

15. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 14 wherein the lateral shell is movable up and down and forwardly and rearwardly with straps comprising the cross-strap mechanism sliding in their respective lateral shell first and second slots to locate the medial shell in a selected position relative to a user'"'"'s fibular malleolus.

16. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 14 wherein the straps comprising the cross-strap mechanism are affixed to the underside of the lateral side of the foot shell.

17. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 14 wherein the buckling means securing the ends of the first and second straps overlies the medial shell aperture.

18. A therapeutic ankle orthosis comprising:

(a) an extended lateral shell having an aperture adapted to receive the fibular malleolus and having a lower end portion extending downwardly beneath that aperture;

(b) a foot shell adapted to underlie the rear foot and having an upper medial side portion extending upwardly to overlap the lower end portion of the medial shell;

(c) pivot means connecting the lower end portion of the medial shell to the side portion of the foot shell permitting angular movement of the foot shell relative to the medial shell about an axis substantially coincident with the functional axis of the talocrual joint, and

(d) locking means for selectively preventing angular movement of the foot shell relative to the lateral shell comprising;

(i) a curved slot formed in one of the overlapping medial shell lower end portions and foot shell side portion, the curve of the slot being centered about the axis of the pivot means, and one end of the slot being approximately horizontally forward of the pivot means axis and the other end of the slot being at least about 45°

downwardly of the pivot means axis when the orthosis is positioned on the leg and foot and said leg and foot are positioned vertically and horizontally, respectively;

(ii) removable locking screws extending through the slot at each end thereof into threaded engagement with the other of the overlapping medial shell lower end portions and foot shell side portion; and

(e) adjustable strap means for holding the shells in operative position on the leg and ankle and foot and for applying focal compression to control edema of the ankle.

19. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 18 wherein the slot is formed in the medial shell lower end portion, said lower end portion overlapping the foot shell side portion, and the removable locking screws are in threaded engagement with the foot shell side portion.

20. A therapeutic ankle orthosis comprising:

(a) an extended lateral shell having a positioning aperture corresponding to the fibular malleolus and having a lower end portion extending downwardly beneath that aperture and having a vertical molded channel therein;

(b) a foot shell adapted to underlie the rear foot and having an upper medial side portion extending upwardly to overlap the lower end portion of the medial shell;

(c) pivot means connecting the lower end portion of the medial shell to the upper side portion of the foot shell permitting angular movement of the foot shell relative to the medial shell about an axis substantially coincident with the functional axis of the talocrual joint, and

(d) securing means for holding together the overlapping medial shell lower end portion and the foot shell side portion forwardly of the pivot means to resist ankle inversion and eversion comprising;

(i) a curved slot formed in one of the overlapping medial shell lower end portions and foot shell side portion, the curve of the slot being centered about the axis of the pivot means, one end of the slot being approximately horizontally forward of the pivot means axis and the other end of the slot being at least about 45°

downwardly and forwardly of the pivot means axis when the orthosis is positioned on the leg and foot and said leg and foot are positioned vertically and horizontally, respectively;

(ii) a post affixed to the other of the overlapping medial shell lower end portions and the foot shell side portion, the post extending through the slot intermediate the ends thereof when the leg and foot are vertical and horizontal, respectively; and

(iii) a cap on the outer end of the post for holding that shell portion in which the slot is formed against the other shell portion; and

(e) adjustable strap means for holding the shells in operative position on the leg and ankle and foot, and for applying focal compression to control edema of the ankle.

21. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 20 wherein the slot is formed in the medial shell lower end portion, the lower end portion overlaps the foot shell side portion, and the post is affixed to the foot shell side portion.

22. A therapeutic ankle orthosis comprising:

(a) an extended lateral shell having a positioning aperture corresponding to the fibular malleolus and having a lower end portion extending downwardly beneath that aperture;

(b) a rigid extended medial shell adapted to fit beneath and upwardly about the tibial malleolus;

(c) a foot shell adapted to underlie the rear foot and having an upper lateral side portion extending upwardly to overlap the lower end portion of the medial shell;

(d) adjustable strap means for holding the shells in operative position on the leg and ankle and foot comprising;

(i) a strap fixed at one end to a forward portion of the foot shell and threaded through first slots in the lateral shell and adjustably secured at its opposite end to buckling means above the overlapping shell portions, a second strap fixed at one end to a rearward portion of the foot shell and threaded through second slots in the lateral shell one or more leg straps affixed at one end to the to upper portion of a side shell and adjustably secured at its opposite end to said upper portion of a shell.

23. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 22 wherein the lateral shell is movable up and down and forwardly and rearwardly with the straps comprising the cross-strap mechanism sliding in their respective lateral shell slots to locate the lateral shell in a selected position relative to a user'"'"'s fibular malleolus.

24. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 22 wherein the straps comprising the cross-strap mechanism are affixed to the underside of the lateral side of the foot shell.

25. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 22 wherein the buckling means securing the ends of the first and second straps overlies the medial shell aperture.

26. A therapeutic ankle orthosis comprising:

(a) a rigid lateral shell having a positioning aperture corresponding to the fibular malleolus and having a lower end portion extending downwardly beneath that aperture, the lateral shell being contoured generally to fit the lower leg and ankle;

(b) a U-pad disposed beneath and upwardly about the aperture of the lateral shell and releasably secured to the inside of the lateral shell;

(c) a rigid extended medial shell adapted to fit beneath and upwardly about the tibial malleolus;

(d) a pad covering and being releasably secured to the inside of the medial shell;

(e) a foot shell adapted to underlie the rear foot and having an upper medial side portion extending upwardly to overlap behind the lower end portion of the medial shell;

(f) pivot means connecting the lower end portion of the medial shell to the upper side portion of the foot shell permitting angular movement of the foot shell relative to the lateral shell about an axis substantially coincident with the functional axis of the talocrural joint, the pivot means comprising a rivet fixed to the foot shell side portion and extending outwardly through a hold in the overlapping medial shell lower end portion and having a head holding the overlapping side and end shell portions together;

(g) a curved slot formed in the overlapping medial shell lower end portion, the curve of the slot being centered about the axis of the pivot means, one end of the slot being approximately horizontally forward of the pivot means axis and the other end of the slot being at least about 45°

downwardly and forwardly of the pivot means axis when the orthosis is positioned on the leg and foot and said leg and foot are positioned vertically and horizontally, respectively;

(h) locking means for selectively preventing angular movement of the foot shell relative to the medial shell comprising removable locking screws extending through the slot at each end thereof into threaded engagement with the overlapping foot shell side portion;

(i) securing means for holding together the overlapping lower end portion of the medial shell and the side portion of the foot shell forwardly of the pivot means to resist ankle inversion and eversion comprising a post affixed to the foot shell side portion and extending through the slot intermediate the ends thereof when the orthosis is positioned on the leg and foot and said leg and foot are positioned vertically and horizontally, respectively, and a cap on the outer end of the post for holding the lateral shell lower end portion against the foot shell side portion; and

(j) adjustable strap means for holding the shells in operative position on the leg and ankle and foot.

27. A therapeutic ankle orthosis according to claim 26 wherein the strap means comprises a strap fixed at one end to a forward portion of the foot shell and threaded through slots in the lateral shell secured at its opposite end to buckling means above the overlapping shell portions, a second strap fixed at one end to a rearward portion of the foot shell and threaded through slots in the lateral shell and turned back upon and adjustably secured to itself, and one or more leg straps affixed at one end to the upper portion of the lateral shell and adjustably secured at its opposite end to said upper portion of the medial shell.

28. A therapeutic ankle orthosis comprising:

(a) a first semi-rigid lateral side shell and a second semi-rigid medial side shell adapted to fit in operative position against the ankle of a user;

(b) said lateral side shell having a positioning aperture corresponding to a malleolus of the user;

(c) a U-pad releasably secured to the inside of said lateral shell to be disposed beneath and upwardly about the aperture of the shell;

(d) a foot shell adapted to underlie the rear foot of the user and having an upper side portion extending upwardly to overlap and connect to a lower end portion of said medial side shell; and

(e) adjustable strap means for holding the lateral side shell and pad in said operative position against the ankle comprising a first strap fixed at one end to a forward portion of the foot shell and threaded through first slots in the side shell and adjustably secured at its opposite end to securing means above the overlapping shell portions, and a second strap fixed at one end to a rearward portion of the foot shell and threaded through second slots in the lateral side shell and adjustably secured at its opposite end to said securing means.

29. A therapeutic ankle orthosis comprising:

(a) two extended side shells having an aperture adapted to receive a malleolus and having a lower end portion extending downwardly beneath that aperture;

(b) a foot shell adapted to underlie the rear foot and having an upper side portion extending upwardly to overlap the lower end portion of the side medial shell;

(c) pivot means connecting the lower end portion of the side medial shell to the side portion of the foot shell permitting angular movement of the foot shell relative to the side shell about an axis substantially coincident with the functional axis of the talocrural joint;

(d) locking means for selectively preventing angular movement of the foot shell relative to the side shell;

(e) securing means for holding together the overlapping lower end portion of the side shell and the side portion of the foot shell forwardly of the pivot means to resist ankle inversion and eversion; and

(f) adjustable strap means for holding the shells in operative position on the ankle and foot comprising a strap fixed at one end to a forward portion of the foot shell and threaded through slots in the side shell and a second strap fixed at one end to a rearward portion of the foot shell and threaded through slots in the side shell and adjustably secured at its opposite end to said securing means.

30. A therapeutic ankle orthosis comprising:

(a) an extended lateral shell having a vertical molded channel therein to facilitate edema drainage and a positioning aperture corresponding to the fibular malleolus and having a lower end portion extending downwardly beneath that aperture;

(b) an extended medial shell adapted to fit beneath and upwardly about the tibial malleolus;

(c) a foot shell adapted to underlie the rear foot and having an upper medial side portion extending upwardly to overlap the lower end portion of the medial shell;

(d) securing means for holding together the overlapping lower end portion of the medial shell and the side portion of the foot shell; and

(e) adjustable strap means for holding the shells in operative position on the leg and ankle and foot and for applying focal compression to control edema of the ankle.

31. The therapeutic ankle orthosis of claim 30 including a means for connecting and pivoting the lower end portion of the medial shell pivot means connecting the lower end portion of the medial shell to the side portion of the foot shell permitting angular movement of the foot shell relative to the medial shell about an axis substantially coincident with the functional axis of the talocrural joint.

32. The therapeutic ankle orthosis of claim 30 wherein the lateral shell is movable up and down and forwardly and rearwardly with straps comprising the cross-strap mechanism sliding in their respective lateral shell slots to locate the lateral shell in a selected position relative to a user'"'"'s fibular malleolus.

33. A therapeutica ankle orthosis comprising

(a) a contoured extended lateral shell having a positioning aperture corresponding to the fibrular malleolus, a vertical channel therein to facilitate edema drainage and having a lower end portion extending downwardly beneath that aperture and having a vertical molded channel therein;

(b) an extended medial shell adapted to fit beneath and upwardly about the tibial malleolus;

(c) a foot shell adapted to underlie the rear foot and having an upper medial side portion extending upwardly to overlap the lower end portion of the medial shell;

(d) securing means for holding together the overlapping lower end portion of the medial shell and the side portion of the foot shell; and

(e) adjustable strap means for holding the shells in operative positive on the leg and ankle and foot for applying focal compression to control edema of the ankle, provided said securing means contains at least one adjustably securable strap through a D-ring and having a stapping arrangement to prevent the lateral shell from being displaced outwardly.