DEVICE FOR REHABILITATION OF CHILDREN WITH CHILDHOOD CEREBRAL PALSY (CCP)

Abstract

The device for rehabilitation of children with childhood cerebral palsy (CCP) comprises a sleeve/tube (1) made of an elastic material and cuffs made of Velcro strips (2). A frequently occurring problem during rehabilitation of children suffering from CCP is their wrong posture while sitting on the floor. The patients find this position is very comfortable since it provides good stability. However, this results in both wrong position of joints and wrong muscle function being developed, in particular body movement and balance are maintained by means of support on the inside on the foot with the knee being turned inwards. An inverted “knee inward” leg position becomes fixated. The feet become twisted with the big toes pointing outwards, which enhances undesirable changes in the function of the knee and hip joints. The above-mentioned factors reduce the effectiveness of rehabilitation carried out by traditional methods. The proposed device for rehabilitation of children with CCP makes it possible to rectify the aforementioned disadvantages without significantly restricting the patients' mobility. The device is fitted onto the feet of the patient and fixed at the ankles by the cuffs made of Velcro strips (2). The device fixed in this manner on the feet of the patient can stretch with movement. The effect of the device is observed already after a few first months of the use thereof.

Claims

1. A device for rehabilitation of children with infantile cerebral palsy (ICP), characterized in that it includes a sleeve/tube made of an elastic material with the cuffs sewn along the edges on both sides and made of Velcro strips, while said device is adapted for fitting on the child's feet and securing around the ankles.

Description

[0014] The invention is illustrated by the following drawings:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a general view of the device for rehabilitation of children with infantile cerebral palsy;

[0016] FIG. 2 shows the device for rehabilitation of children with infantile cerebral palsy with the bandage on one foot;

[0017] FIG. 2 shows the device for rehabilitation of children with infantile cerebral palsy with the bandage in working position on both feet;

[0018] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the device for rehabilitation of children with infantile cerebral palsy, when the patient wearing a bandage is sitting in the “on the knees” position;

[0019] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the device for rehabilitation of children with infantile cerebral palsy, when the patient wearing a bandage is sitting in the “on the knees” position;

[0020] FIG. 6 shows the device for rehabilitation of children with infantile cerebral palsy, when the ICP patient wearing a bandage is in motion;

[0021] FIG. 7 shows a top view of the device for rehabilitation of children with infantile cerebral palsy, when the ICP patient is not wearing a bandage and is in a typical position;

[0022] FIG. 8 shows the device for rehabilitation of children with infantile cerebral palsy, when the ICP patient is not wearing a bandage and is sitting on the floor.

[0023] The device for rehabilitation of children with infantile cerebral palsy comprises a sleeve/tube (1) made of elastic material and cuffs made of Velcro strips (2).

[0024] The device for rehabilitation of children with infantile cerebral palsy operates as follows.

[0025] A common problem during rehabilitation of children with infantile cerebral palsy is their incorrect posture while sitting on the floor (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Such position is very convenient for the patients, since it provides good stability. This can be observed in most patients. At the same time, an incorrect position of the joints and improper functioning of the muscles are developed, since the movement and balancing of the body is performed by using the inner part of the foot as a support, while the knee is turned inward. An inverted “knee inward” position becomes fixated. The feet become turned out with the toes pointing outward, which enhances the negative changes in the function of the knee and hip joints. All these factors reduce the effectiveness of rehabilitation carried out by the most popular methods.

[0026] The proposed device for rehabilitation of children with ICP makes it possible to correct such problems without significantly limiting the patient's mobility. The device is fitted on the patient's feet and secured around the ankles with the help of the cuffs made of Velcro strips (2) (see FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6). The device fitted on the patient's feet as described above has the ability to stretch during movement.

[0027] In this case, a positive effect is achieved, which includes: [0028] establishing the correct position of the joints and functioning of the muscles; the feet are turned with the toes inward, the knees are turned outward, a supporting knee becomes the point of support during movement; [0029] activating the alternating use of the legs when moving forward in the crawling position with the knees turned outward and foot toes turned inward; [0030] training of the step muscles responsible for lifting the leg up; [0031] simplifying further rehabilitation activities.

[0032] The use of the proposed configuration of the device for rehabilitation of children with infantile cerebral palsy (ICP) is effective, if the patient prefers a sitting position and continues to be in such position for a long time during the day. The device is fitted on the patient's feet for an hour daily during the first week. Later, the wearing duration is extended over the entire time of sitting. When changing positions, the device is removed from one of the feet, or removed completely. The effect from using the device is already observed after the first months of use.

[0033] The proposed invention can be used to train the leg muscles to function properly and to eliminate pathological tonic reflexes in children.