Passive-dynamic correction device for hallux valgus and associated deformities

Abstract

The invention is a passive-dynamic hallux valgus correction device (described as HalluxSTOP) and coexisting static defects of the feet with the function of passive and dynamic valgus correction, often with coexisting transversely flat and flat-valgus feet. The device strength the weak and stretches the contracted feet muscles, restoring the physiological balance of the pulling power of muscles. It has a dynamizing and relaxing function with tonus balancing between muscles. Also, it has a passive function consisting of stretching extra-articular and articular contractures. The device is used in prevention (prevents the development of the above-mentioned feet defects) and treatment (inhibits the deepening of the above-mentioned feet defects and restores the physiological feet architecture. The invention is applicable in the field of non-operative orthopedic treatment and medical rehabilitation as well as in recreational sport as an additional exercise device, e.g. of the fitness type.

Claims

1. Passive-dynamic hallux valgus correction device and co-existing static foot defects, characterized in that it comprises a rigid guide element (2) in the form of a guideway, two straps (4) forming two loops for two toes, which loops are attached to the guide element (2) in a distal part of the guide element (2) and an elastic element (1) placed slidably on the guide element (2) with sliding blocks (3), which elastic element (1) has a channel located in the central part of the elastic element (1), in which the guide (2) is slidably located, and the elastic element (1) is blocked by the sliding blocks (3) at a set distance from the distal part of the guide element (2), so that it is possible to the putting the feet on the elastic element (1) in supination manner with both feet when the toes of both feet are placed in loops made of straps (4).

2. The passive-dynamic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide element (2) is in the form of a rod or tube of variable shape in cross-section.

3. Passive-dynamic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide element (2) has at least the length of an average human foot and is not longer than 400 mm.

4. Passive-dynamic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide element (2) is made of metal, plastic or wood.

5. Passive-dynamic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the straps (4) are made of inelastic material and have a width in the range of 10 mm-50 mm and a length of 50 mm-300 mm, enabling the toes to be surrounded.

6. Passive-dynamic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the straps (4) forming the toe loops of both feet are firmly attached to the rigid guide element (2).

7. Passive-dynamic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the straps (4) forming the toe loops of both feet are fastening to the guide element (2) by a fastening (6,7), in which the straps (4) are separated or by a fastening (8,9), in which the straps (4) are sewn together along the guide (2).

8. Passive-dynamic device according to claim 7, characterized in that the fastening (6,7) is in the form of a rigid handle (6) made in the shape of a frame inserted into a through-hole (7) hollowed out in the distal part of the guide element (2), which frame after sliding it into the hole (7) of the guide element (2) it has two windows to pull the straps (4) forming separate loops for the toes of both feet.

9. Passive-dynamic device according to claim 7, characterized in that the fastening (8,9) is in the form of a passage channel (8) formed after sewn the width of two straps (4) in two places in the central part of the length of these straps, folded together and sewn on both sides of the guide element (2) and a belt blockade element (9) is made in the form of a pressed element blocking the straps (4) on the guide element (2), and a passage channel (8) of the straps has a dimension that allows for sliding into it the guide element (2) with a slight resistance.

10. Passive-dynamic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the straps (4) forming the loops for fixing the toes of both feet have an adjustable size adapted to the circumference of the toes, which loops fix the toes to the level of the first metatarsal-phalangeal joint.

11. Passive-dynamic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic element (1) is a ball or rotary ellipsoid equipped with a through passage passing through the central part of the elastic element (1).

12. Passive-dynamic device according to claim 10, characterized in that the through passage in the elastic element (1) has a variable shape adapted to the shape of the rigid guide element (2).

13. Passive-dynamic device according to claim 10, characterized in that the elastic element (1) has a diameter in the range of 50 mm-200 mm in the case of a ball, and in the case of a rotary ellipsoid the smaller diameter is in the range of 50 mm-200 mm and the larger diameter in the range of 100 mm-250 mm.

14. Passive-dynamic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic element (1) is placed on the rigid guide element (2) at a distance enabling the putting the feet on the elastic element (1) in supination manner, after inserting the toes of both feet into loops formed from strips (4).

15. Passive-dynamic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding blocks (3) of the elastic element (1) are placed on both sides of the elastic element (1) slipped on the guide (2) and prevent the elastic element (1) from moving during rehabilitation exercises (1) on a rigid guide element (2) at a set distance, allowing the putting the feet around the elastic element (1) in supination manner.

16.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The subject of the invention is shown in the examples of implementation in the drawing in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the passive-dynamic device of the first embodiment of the invention,

[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the passive-dynamic device of the second embodiment of the invention,

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a view of the elements of FIGS. 2 and 3 in the form of a guide with the elastic element blocked by the blockade elements in three views.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The individual elements visible in the drawings are marked as follows:

[0037] 1elastic element,

[0038] 2rigid guide element, i.e. a guide, passing through the through-hole in the elastic element,

[0039] 3sliding block of the elastic element on the guide,

[0040] 4inflexible straps forming loops for the big toes,

[0041] 5elements enabling the adjustment of the loop diameter by fastening straps, e.g. with Velcro,

[0042] 6fastening of inelastic straps (4) to guide (2),

[0043] 7the hollow through the hole in the rigid guide element through which the fastening of inelastic straps passes,

[0044] 8passage channel for fastening the straps on the guide element created by sewing the width of two straps (4) in two places in the central part of the length of these straps

[0045] 9belt blocade element

[0046] The device consists of the following parts: an elastic element (1), which may be a ball or rotary ellipsoid with a through the channel in the central part, a rigid guide element, i.e. guide (2), having the form of a rod or tube; sliding blocks (3) of the elastic element (1) on the guide (2), inelastic straps (4) forming loops for the big toes; elements enabling the adjustment of the diameter of the loops on the big toes by fastening (4) straps Velcro (5), sewn to the straps (4); and fastening the straps (4) to the guide (2) in the first and the second embodiment of the invention.

[0047] In the first embodiment of the invention, the fastening of the straps (4) to the guide (2) is carried out by means of a rectangular rigid handle (6), made in the shape of a frame, which is inserted into the hollow elongated through-hole (7), made in the guide (2) in the distal part, so that the rigid handle (6) forms two holes through which the straps (4) forming the loops are pulled.

[0048] In the second embodiment of the invention, the fastening of the straps (4) to the guide (2) is made by stitching the straps (4) in the central part in two places after being applied to each other at a distance enabling the formation of the passage channel (8), through which the straps are slid over the guide (2). After sliding the straps (4) over the rigid guide element, their sliding is blocked by belt blocade element (9), which is e.g. a clamping element.

[0049] In both embodiments, the guide (2) has a length of at least an average length of a human foot. The cross-section of the guide (2) may have the shape of any geometrical figure. The cross-section of the guide (2) determines the shape of the through-hole in the central part of the elastic element (1), since the elastic element (1) is slid onto the guide (2) with slight resistance. The elastic element (1) can be in the form of a ball or a rotary ellipsoid.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), the guide (2) is in the form of a cylinder, which has a circle in cross-section, and the elastic element (1) is in the form of a ball. The elastic element (1) has a passage channel passing through the axis of rotation, which passage channel in cross-section is a circle (FIG. 3).

[0051] The elastic element (1), due to the passage channel located in the central part of the elastic element, is slid over the guide (2) to a height enabling to be embraced with feet in supination manner with simultaneous placement of the big toes into the loops made of straps (4).

[0052] After sliding it, it is blocked by sliding blocks (3) on the guide (2) on both sides of the poles of the elastic element (1) so that it does not move on the guide (2) (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). The straps (4) are made of inelastic material with a width enabling to surround the big toes.

[0053] The size of the loop is regulated, for example, with (5) Velcro sewn to the straps.

[0054] The rehabilitation action with the device according to the invention takes place in two the planes: in the plantar plane and in the sagittal plane of the feet.

Action in Plantar Plane

[0055] The device according to the invention allows the big toes abduction so-called passive correction by bringing the heels closer together (hindfoot adduction) and the pressure of the medial eminence of the feet on the elastic element (third contra-parallel force, from the medial to the lateral side of the feet).

[0056] This is the effect of wrapping, surrounding the medial eminence of both feet on the elastic element and reducing the distance between the inner edges of the feet and heels. In this way, a dynamic resistance force is generated, gradually strengthening the abductor hallucis muscles of the big toes in both feet (dynamic correction).

[0057] The movement of getting closer the heels each other (proximal insertion of the abductor hallucis muscles) and big toes both feet (distal insertion of the abductor hallucis muscles) is resisted by a central elastic element, which with repetitive movements with resistance leads to a strengthening of the strength and resting tonus of the abductor hallucis muscles.

Action in the Sagittal Plane

[0058] HalluxSTOP allows changing the exercise plane to the sagittal plane with the feet in supination, which affects the correction of the proximal (posterior) part of the longitudinal arch of the feet. During the exercises of the supination type, the calcaneus with the heels insertion of the Achilles tendon is positioned in the adduction and supination.

[0059] The heels tendons are positioned on a bowstring, setting both calcanea in the varus manner with simultaneous dynamic consolidation of this position by strengthening the medial heads of the calf triceps muscles.

[0060] In this way, hindfeet regain its physiological position with the heels axis tilted from 0 to 6 degrees for valgus (gradual elimination of pronation of the flat-valgus feet).

[0061] Abducted and pronated a forefoot thanks to the applied supination and adduction forces gradually regain proper physiological alignment, with the sagittal plane passing through the center of the ankle joint, the second metatarsal bone, and the second toe.

[0062] The course of the mechanical axis of the lower limb in its distal part is restored to physiological form. HalluxSTOP during reciprocal exercises (repetitive cycles and series), in addition to strengthening short muscles, strengthens long muscles due to the necessity of, among others forced supination feet setting.

[0063] This results in the gradual restoration of the physiological balance between the synergistic muscles which abduct the big toes and the antagonist muscles that adduct big toes (balancing the moments of force acting on the metatarsal-phalangeal the I joints in the plantar plane in the feet).

[0064] The posterior tibial muscles (the main dynamic stabilizer of the longitudinal arch and the transverse arch) and the tibial anterior are mainly strengthening with the bringing closer of the muscle insertions. Simultaneously with the distance between the muscle inserts, the muscles that are their antagonists are strengthened, i.e. the peroneus longus and brevis muscles.

[0065] Thanks to this strengthening and stretching treatment, the dynamics of muscle groups are balanced, which guarantees the correct shape of the transverse arches and the distal (front) part of the longitudinal arches in the feet.

[0066] The device according to the invention is primarily intended to prevent static foot defects (preventive effect). It can also be used at the stage of:

[0067] Iathe initial development of the defect, i.e. functional (muscular) deficiency.

[0068] Ibwith excessive stretching (laxity) of the passive ligamentous-capsule apparatus.

[0069] IIwith current extra-articular contractures.

[0070] IIIastructural changes at the joint level (phase of contracture and capsular fibrosis).

[0071] In the case of IIIa, however, this must be preceded by the mobilization of the big toes (and other toes) in accordance with the Kaltenborn-Evjent concave-convex principle. Mobilization of the toes is necessary to prevent the creation of the breaking out and decentration force that can damage the hyaline cartilage of the metatarsophalangeal joint I (and other manually corrected toes) in the feet.

[0072] IIIbwith the advanced form of the defect which is the hallux valgus (structural phase of ossification and fibrosis of the metatarsophalangeal joint I), or other structurally consolidated static foot defects, the use of the device is contraindicated.

[0073] Such cases are eligible for surgical treatment. However, the device can be used as a postoperative device, effectively preventing recurrence of feet deformities.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0074] The invention is applicable in the field of medical rehabilitation and in recreational sport (e.g. fitness).