Method and apparatus for extremity rehabilitation

Abstract

A lower extremity mobilizer for use in rehabilitation is provided. A seat is slidably maintained upon a base, with a foot support brace being provided at an end of the base to receive the foot of a leg provided for arthrokinematic treatment. A cord and pulley system is provided between the seat and the end of the base. In use, a patient is seated with a foot received by the foot support brace. The patient provides arthrokinematic motion to his leg by pulling himself and the seat toward the end of the device having the foot support brace. The procedure is undertaken in a closed chain motion, with the foot constantly engaging the foot support brace, and is done so as a rate, timing and extent under the control of the patient.

Claims

1. A method of rehabilitating lower extremities of a patient's body, comprising: seating a patient upon an unbiased seat that is freely slidable in a substantially horizontal direction on an elevated base; engaging a first foot of the patient with a first stationary foot support; and allowing the patient to draw the seat in unbiased movement from a starting position toward the first stationary foot support at a rate and to a degree determined by the patient, while the patient is seated and the patient's first foot is continuously engaged with the first stationary foot support, recreating natural lower extremity mechanics through closed chain motion, and wherein the movement of the seat being drawn from said starting position is limited to a linear path in said substantially horizontal direction toward said first stationary foot support that passively moves a lower extremity of the patient to effect recovery of a range of motion of a joint of the lower extremity.

2. The method of rehabilitating lower extremities of a patient's body according to claim 1, further comprising the step of returning the seat toward the starting position.

3. The method of rehabilitating lower extremities of a patient's body according to claim 2, further comprising repeating for a desired number of sequences the foregoing steps for drawing the seat from the starting position toward the first stationary foot support and returning the seat toward the starting position.

4. The method of rehabilitating lower extremities of a patient's body according to claim 3, wherein said step of returning the seat is undertaken by the patient through the use of a second foot of the patient exerting a return force.

5. The method of rehabilitating lower extremities of a patient's body according to claim 4, wherein said return force is exerted against one of a floor and a second stationary foot support.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) For a complete understanding of the various benefits, structure and methods of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rehabilitation device of the invention taken from the seat end of the device;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rehabilitation device of the invention taken from the foot end of the device;

(4) FIG. 3 is an illustrative perspective view of the rehabilitation device of the invention showing the underside of the seat;

(5) FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the rehabilitation device of the invention showing its use in a starting position;

(6) FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the rehabilitation device of the invention showing its use in an intermediate position; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the rehabilitation device of the invention showing the same at an end of a flexure cycle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(8) Referring now to the drawings and more particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that a rehabilitation device in the form of a lower extremity mobilizer made in accordance with the invention is designated generally by the numeral 10. The rehabilitation device 10 preferably includes a base 12 and support members such as legs 14 at opposite ends or corners to maintain the seat 12 elevated above a floor by a distance on the order of 16-20. Side rails 16 are fixed to and extend along opposite edges of the base 12 for receiving and confining a seat 18 therebetween. The seat 18 is preferably provided with a seat back 20, extending at a slight angle rearwardly for patient comfort. An end piece or bracket 22 is secured to an end of the base 12. A pair of foot support braces 24 are appropriately interconnected between the base 12 and the end bracket 22, as shown. The foot support braces 24 are typically angled with respect to the base 12 by an angle on the order of 35-55, and preferably 45. The invention contemplates that the foot support braces 24 may be adjustable, allowing the angle to be selected by the patient or therapist. Any of various methods of adjustability can be employed, such as the use of retractable pins and mating holes between the foot support braces 24, base 12 and end bracket 21, respectively.

(9) Pulley wheels 26, 28 are secured to the end bracket 22, as shown. In similar fashion, a pulley wheel 30 is secured to a front edge of the seat 18, as shown. A cord or rope 32 is strung through the pulley wheels 26, 28, 30, with a first end of the cord or rope 32 being secured to an eyelet 34 on the front edge of the seat 18. According to an embodiment of the invention, the cord or rope 32 passes from the eyelet 34, through the pulley wheel 26, thence through the pulley wheel 30, and finally through the pulley wheel 28, with the opposite end of the cord or rope 32 optionally having a handle 36 or other type of hand securing device present thereon. It will be appreciated that the number of pulley wheels and the mechanical advantage desired may vary.

(10) With reference now to FIG. 3, it can be appreciated that the seat 18 has a plate 38 secured to the bottom thereof. A plurality of vertically oriented casters 40 are secured to the bottom of the seat 18 along the side of the plate 38, as shown. Similarly, a plurality of horizontally oriented casters 42 are secured to the plate 38 along the edge thereof. Desirably, the casters 40, 42 alternate with respect of each other. When the seat 18 is placed upon the base 12, it will be appreciated that the vertically oriented casters 40 are adapted to roll upon the top of the base 12, while the horizontally oriented casters 42 are provided to engage the sides of the rails 16. It will be appreciated, however, that other means such as rails, ways, slides and the like may be employed.

(11) Finally, a stop bar 44 extends across a back end of the base 12 between the side rails 16, to prevent the seat 18 from leaving the base 12 rearwardly. The plate 38 and casters 40, 42, in conjunction with the side rails 16 and stop bar 44 confine the operation of the seat within the perimeters so defined.

(12) With an understanding of the structure of the invention, reference should now be had to FIGS. 4-6, where an appreciation of its utilization may be attained. In a starting position, a patient 50 is seated upon the seat 18 in its rearmost position. The patient's foot 52 is received upon the associated foot support brace 24 with the leg extended with a slight bend, as shown. The joints of the knee 54, ankle 56 and hip 58 are positioned as shown, and it will be appreciated that the foot 52 is maintained upon and against the foot support brace 24 throughout operation such that the therapy is undertaken in a closed chain mode, with the foot always in a support position.

(13) In use, the other leg of the patient may either be placed upon the associated foot support brace 24, or may actually engage the floor.

(14) The patient 50 begins to pull himself forwardly, providing an arthrokinematic motion to the joints of the knee 54 ankle 56 and hip 58 in a closed chain mode. The patient controls the rate at which the movement from FIG. 4 to FIG. 5 is undertaken, and whether it is taken in a single motion or progressively in increments. With the patient being under control of the function of the unit, his/her apprehension is substantially eliminated and the associated pain is reduced.

(15) At FIG. 6, the patient 50 has drawn himself by the cord 32 to the furthermost position in utilization of the device, applying further arthrokinematic motion to the joints of concern. Again, the patient 50 has done this at a rate and over a period of time and using the increments necessary to ensure patient comfort, both mentally and physically.

(16) Upon reaching the position of FIG. 6, the patient may then use his other leg to return to the starting position of FIG. 1. Again, that leg may either push against the floor, or with its associated foot support brace 24. The process may then begin anew, for desired number of repetitions.

(17) Thus it can be seen that the various benefits of the invention have been achieved by the structure and method presented and described above. While in accordance with the patent statutes only the best mode and preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented and described in detail, the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.