ES2631853B2 - Ankle brace - Google Patents

Abstract

The ankle-kneepad object of the invention (1), consists of a main body that extends from the foot and even exceeded the knee as a mean. It incorporates the following parts: # Knee brace main body (2) which, due to the tension of the long fixing strap (10) and the lateral fixing strap (6) will protect the knee. # Ankle fixing strap (7 ), which will give protection to the ankle. # Easy and quick placement, even for children, so that they would be fully protected in the practice of sports with risks of ankle and / or knee injuries. # It has no hard parts, nor metallic; not generating muscular atrophy and, it is suitable for use in sports such as basketball or golf and for patients with multiple trauma trauma.

Description

DESCRIPTION

ANKLE-KNEE

SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE

The present invention relates to an ankle brace · knee brace for joint protection

lower leg and, more specifically, belongs to the orthosis sector.

The main object of the present invention is an ankle brace capable of protecting the ankle and the

knee both in vago or varus forces; providing security and stability to the joints

lower leg using a single device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present there is a great demand for orthosis for the protection of the ankle and the knee, due in large part to the increase in sports activities by the population, as well as by people with polytrauma, mainly caused by traffic accidents.

Currently there are different products that protect ankles and knees individually, but not jointly and comprehensively using a single device. In sports such as basketball or golf, most injuries occur in the ankle joints and knees. Existing products to protect them do so individually. In accident victims with polytrauma we find the same situation, finding no orthoses that protect the ankle and knee together and that are also easy and quick to place.

We can specify the typical injuries in sports such as basketball or golf in the following areas and characteristics:

Ankle:

Ankle injuries can be torsional. valgus or varus involving maleolar fractures and axial compression injuries that cause fractures of the tibial pylon.

ligament injuries in the ankle are frequent and especially in activities that require jumping and / or turning such as sports such as basketball or golf.

Most injuries occur when there are Reversal and / or internal rotation forces applied to the foot with the ankle in plantar flexion. As these forces occur during support, the stabilizing effects of the articular surface are minor.

There are different types of anklets on the market to protect the joint. but always individually and in many cases using hard or metallic parts; so they may not be authorized for use in sports competitions, as they could damage both the wearer of the

orthosis as to third athletes.

Knee:

Tendon muscle injuries of the knee are frequent and endanger the sports life of the athlete in multiple disciplines.

the direct injuries would be by the application of a force to the knee that forces a varus or valgus,

causing the initial injury of the lateral or medial structures being able to reach the central pivot.

Indirect injuries are due to a static imbalance conjugated with a muscular one.

There are two dangerous positions that generate frequent injuries in sports practices such as

basketball or golf:

External valgo-rotation in flexion: typical of a foot fixation that causes the fracture of the

medial elements, of the anterior cruciate ligament And, possibly, of the external meniscus.

Internal vario-rotation in flexion or extension: typical of the support leg the golf swing or in a break of a dribble in basketball, which causes the anterior cruciate ligament injury and, possibly, a bone capsular tear of the external antero flange tibia l.

In knee injuries of the anterior and / or posterior cruciate ligament is caused by an abnormal displacement of the tibia over the femur.

Patellar tendon tears are typical of athletes who have suffered old injuries and repetitive episodes of tendonitis. In the position of knee flexion and abrupt contraction of the quadriceps is the usual form of patellar tendon injury.

Both the lateral ligaments and the cruciate ligaments of the knee stabilize the knee from the inside as they connect the spines of the tibial plateau with the inner face of the condyles. The cruciate ligaments are the most important in the rotational movements of the knee when it is flexed and its rupture causes joint alterations.

Currently there are different types of knee pads to protect the joint:

On the one hand there are simple or tensile-elastic knee pads, usually made of neoprene, which increase the temperature and can improve proprioception and provide a feeling of knee support. The problem with this type of knee pads is that they do not protect the knee from axial rotation and, therefore, do not serve for effective support of the ligaments or menisci.

On the other hand are the femoropatellar and prophylactic knee pads that are designed to resist axial rotation, maintain the alignment of the knee generating stability. The problem with this type of knee pads is that they press excessively through ribbons, straps or reinforcements, causing muscular atrophy in the femoral biceps and in the femoral quadriceps. Another drawback of this type of knee pads is its rigidity, its weight and that it may not be authorized to practice sports due to its hard or metallic parts, which can damage both the wearer of the orthosis and third parties.

There are other types of knee pads such as rehabilitative or functional ones, but due to their rigidity and lack of mobility they are not suitable for sports.

For good protection of the ankles and knees, good muscles are essential:

The biceps femoris is a f1exor muscle of the leg and also an agonist muscle for rotation

outer leg; Its atrophy generates risks of injury. The femoral quadriceps is responsible for the

extension of the leg and three of the four muscles that compose it converge on the patellar tendon, so that its atrophy will generate risks of injury.

The popliteal is the most important stabilizing element in the area of the tibial plateau, because it pulls from the posterior body of the external meniscus during the flexion movement And, in internal rotation, with the fixed femur, it produces an internal rotation movement of the tibia.

knee flexion is produced by the contraction of the muscles that overcome the femorotibial joint by the posterior face. Muscles such as the internal rectum, the sartorium, the femoral bfceps, the popliteal or the plantar; they mostly originate in the coxal area or in the femur and are inserted in the back of the tibia or fibula.

Muscular atrophy contributes to increased instability in joints with failures, repetitive strains and ligament and meniscal lesions.

Rotational movements in flexion are characteristic of sports activities such as basketball or golf. the knee pads that transfer fixation to the joint and stability, in addition to the atrophy due to the pressure exerted on the muscles, have hard or metallic parts so they may not be authorized in the practice of this or other sports, while the knee pads Without these parts, they do not have the desired effectiveness to protect and stabilize the knee.

As much for accidents with polytraumatisms as in sports activities, there is a great demand for orthoses for the protection of the ankle and the knee; But there is no product that protects all areas at once, jointly and comprehensively, using a single device that guarantees stability and safety without generating atrophy.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The ankle-kneepad object of the invention is a new system that guarantees torsion protection, in any activity that involves risks to the ankles and knees, providing them with safety and stability.

With the ankle brace that is the subject of the invention, the problems of sprains in the ankle are resolved, providing stability and protection and resolving the problems of axial rotation of the knee, without generating muscular atrophy in either the biceps femoris or the quadriceps femoris, nor in muscles of the femorotibial part of the posterior face; protecting the joint and providing it with stability.

With the ankle-kneepad object of the invention it is intended to protect the ankle and knee jointly and integrally using a single device and not individually as is currently the case.

An important feature of the ankle brace that is the subject of the invention, in addition to its lightness and has no metal fasteners or hard parts, so it can be used in sports.

Another important characteristic of the ankle brace that is the object of the invention is that it does not generate muscular atrophy since it does not press the muscles that give protection and stability to the lower joints of the leg with tapes or hard parts.

An important feature of the ankle brace that is the subject of the invention is its easy V rapid placement, reducing the time required for placement; which is important, since in this way it is much more comfortable to use by children in sports or in people with multiple trauma.

The present invention comprises a long fixing tape, a lateral fixing tape V another ankle fixing tape. Between the three tapes, it is possible to keep stable and provide V security to the ankle V to the knee, using a single device.

Brief explanation of the drawings

To complete the description, some drawings are included as an integral part of said description, where illustrative character V is not limiting, the following has been represented:

Figure 1.- Shows a side view of the ankle-kneepad object of the complete invention.

Figure 2, - Shows a front view of the ankle-kneepad object of the complete invention.

Figure 3.- Shows a front view of the heel fixation with its guardian grooves of the heel fixation.

Figure 4.- Shows a rear view of the passage of the long fixing tape through the guarding grooves of the heel fixation.

Figure 5.- It shows a front view of the first crossing of the ends of the long fixing tape as it rises towards the knee.

Figure 6.- It shows a rear view of the second crossing of the long fastening tape on its ascent towards the knee.

Figure 7.- It shows a front view of the passage of the long fixing tape through the lower guard grooves V upper.

Figure 8.- Shows a front view of the complete rotation of the lateral fixing tape.

Figure 9.- It shows a front view of the foot with the ankle fixation tape at its beginning.

Figure 10.- Shows a front view of the foot with the ankle fixing strap at the first crossing over the instep.

Figure 11.- It shows a front view of the foot with the ankle fixation tape in its ascent by the instep and completion of the fixation.

s

Below is a list of the different elements represented in the figures that

integrate the invention:

1. Ankle-kneepad object of the invention.

2. Main body of the kneepad.

3. Lateral thickening.

4. Superior tutoring slots.

5.

Lower guard slots.

6.

Side fixing tape.

7.

Ankle fixation tape,

8.

Tarón fixation.

9.

Guardian grooves of the heel fixation.

10.

long fixing tape.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

As can be seen in the figures and, according to the numbering adopted, it can be observed in them

an example of a preferred embodiment of the ankle brace of the invention; which includes

the parts and elements indicated and described below.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the ankle brace of the invention (1), object of the invention, in its preferred embodiment, comprises the following elements:

•

the ankle-kneepad object of the invention (1), made of textile material and that as an average goes from the foot to the knee, and can have compressive behavior.

•

A main body of the kneepad (2), of adjustable fabric and providing compression.

•

Some lateral thickening (3), located on the sides of the main body of the kneepad

(2) to protect the lateral ligaments.

•

Lower guard grooves (S) located in the lateral thickening (3) of the main body of the knee brace (2) to guide the long fixing strap (10).

•

Upper tutora grooves (4) located in the lateral thickening (3), of the main body of the knee brace (2) to guide the long fixing bolt (10) and its subsequent fixing with sailboat.

•

A lateral fixing tape (6) located in the inner and inner part of the main body of the knee brace (2) to ensure the fixation of the long fixing tape (10), of resistant material, being able to have some elasticity, with the edges rounded and fixed with sailboat on the front of the main body of the knee brace (2).

•

An ankle strap (7), made of sturdy material and rounded edges.

•

A fixation of the heel (8), joined by seams to the ankle brace of the invention (1), and with an elliptical shape, and can be padded.

•

Guardian grooves of the heel fixation (9), located at the ends of the heel fixation

(8) and which will serve as a guide for the ends of the long fixing tape (10) in its ascent towards the knee.

EN 2 63 \ 853 A \

• A long fixing tape (10) where its ends will travel in the spiral-shaped leg, and

in the opposite direction from each other, from the fixation of the heel (8) and that with its tension will transfer support to the leg. It will be of resistant material, being able to have certain elasticity; with the tips of its rounded ends and fixing system by sailboat to the main body of the kneepad (2). Once the lower guard grooves (5) and upper guard grooves (4) located in the lateral thickening (3) of the main body of the knee brace (2) of the ankle-knee brace object of the invention (1).

In another preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 7, the lower guard grooves (S) and the upper guard grooves (4) located in the lateral thickening (3) of the main body of the knee brace (2), will be in pairs. Each pair will be in one of the lateral thickening (3). the pair of upper guard slots (4) will be at the height of the kneecap; and the pair of the lower guard slots

(5) in the lower part of the lateral thickening (3). All will act as a guide for the long fixing tape (10). They will be together and parallel, diagonally and in the direction of the kneecap. Both the lower guard grooves (5) and the upper guard grooves (4) will have a seam reinforcement in their contours to improve the resistance and withstand the tension and chafing that the long fixing tape (10) will exert, as well as the necessary length to pass the long fixing tape (10).

The lateral fixing strap (6) fixed with seams to the main body of the knee brace (2) in the lower and inner part of the main body of the knee brace (2), will be of resistant material, being able to be flexible, with the rounded end and sailboat fastening on the front of the main body of the kneepad (2).

In another preferred embodiment, shown in figures 3 and 4, the fixation of the heel (8), a piece of textile material that can be padded and sewn to the ankle brace of the invention (1), will have an elliptical shape and with two guard grooves of the heel fixation (9) for the passage of the long fastening tape (10) at each of its ends. The guard grooves of the heel fixation (9) will have the reinforced ends to withstand the tension of the long fixing strap (10), as! as the necessary length for

his step.

The central part of the long fixing strap (10) will be placed in the heel fixation (8) and the ends of the long fixing strap (10) will pass through the guarding grooves of the heel fixation (9). the ends of the long fastening tape (10) will begin its spiral ascent and in the opposite direction from each other. The first crossing of the ends of the long fastening tape (10) will occur at the front of the leg at the level of the shin (Figure 5). The second crossing will be made at the back of the leg at the level of the gastroznemius (figure 6).

In another preferred embodiment, shown in figures 9, 10 and 11, the turns of the ankle fixing strap (7) of the ankle-knee brace object of the invention (1) appear. The ankle fixation strap (7) will be joined by seams on the back of the ankle brace object of the invention (1) on its back and at the height of the shin, it will be of resistant material, rounded end and fixation

by sailboat.

Claims (6)

1. the ankle brace of the invention (1) which comprises the following parts and is characterized in that: 5 • the ankle brace that is the object of the invention (1), made of textile material and which, on average, goes from the foot to the knee, can have compressive behavior.

•

A main body of the kneepad (2), of adjustable fabric can provide compression.

•

Lateral thickening (3), located on the sides of the main body of the knee brace (2) to protect the lateral ligaments.

10 • Lower guard grooves (5) located in the lateral thickening (3) of the main body of the knee brace (2) to guide the long fixing strap (10). • Upper guard grooves (4) located in the lateral thickening (3), of the main body of the knee brace (2) to guide the long fixing strap (10) and its subsequent fixing with sailboat. • A lateral fixing tape (6) located on the inner and inner part of the main body of the knee brace (2) to ensure the fixation of the long fixing tape (10).

•

An ankle strap (7), made of sturdy material and rounded edges and sailboat fastening.

•

A fixation of the heel (8), joined by seams to the ankle brace of the invention (1), with an elliptical shape, and can be padded.

•

Guardian grooves of the heel fixation (9), located at the ends of the fixation of the

20 heel (8) and which will serve as a guide for the ends of the long fixing strap (10) in its ascent towards the knee. • A long fixing tape (10). It will be of resistant material, being able to have certain elasticity; with rounded ends and sailboat fastening system. 2. Ankle-brace object of the invention (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the body The main knee brace (2) of adjustable fabric that provides support to the knee essentially comprises: - A lateral thickening (3) on both sides of the main body of the knee brace (2), for the protection of the lateral ligaments. -Side fixing tape (6) in the lower and inner part of the main body of the knee brace (2). Of resistant material, being able to have some elasticity, with the rounded edge and will be fixed with sailboat 30 on the front of the main body of the knee brace (2). Characterized because it will support the long fixing tape (10) and transferring security to the muscles of the back of the warm plateau! -A lower guard grooves (5) located in the lateral thickening (3) of the body main kneepad (2) to guide the long fixing tape (10); they will be of sufficient length for the passage of the long fixing tape (10) and its contour will be reinforced. 35 -A top guard grooves (4) located in the lateral thickening (3), of the main body of the knee brace (2) to guide the long fixing tape (10) and its subsequent fixation with sailboat. They will be of sufficient length for the passage of the long fixing tape (10) and its contour It will be reinforced. 3. Ankle brace ~ kneepad object of the invention (1) according to claim 1, characterized by having a ankle fixing strap (7), will be joined by seams on the back of the Ankle-kneepad object of the invention (1) at the level of the shin, will be of resistant material, rounded end and sailboat fixation. 4. Ankle-kneepad object of the invention (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixation of the heel (8) will be joined by seams to the ankle-kneepad object of the invention (1), of textile material being able to be padded and with elliptical shape You will have two guard slots for heel fixation (9) at each end for the passage of the long fixing tape (10) in its rise through the leg.

5.

Ankle-kneepad object of the invention (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guarding grooves of the heel fixation (9) located on both sides of the heel fixation (8), will have the necessary size so that the length can pass fixing tape (10), and its contours will be reinforced to resist tension.

6.

Ankle-brace object of the invention (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the center of the long fixing strap (10) will be placed in the fixation of the heel (8) and its ends, after passing through the guard grooves of the Heel fixation (9) will travel the spiral leg, and in the opposite direction one end of the other, transferring support to the leg. It will be of resistant material, being able to have some elasticity, with rounded ends and fixing system by sailboat. the fixing will be done once the long fixing tape (10) crosses the lower guard grooves

(S) and the upper guard grooves (4) located in the lateral thickening (3) of the main body of the knee (2) of the ankle-kneepad object of the invention (1).