GB2426930A

GB2426930A - Re-usable fracture cast for ankle injuries

Info

Publication number: GB2426930A
Application number: GB0511744A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Drew James Duncan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-10
Filing date: 2005-06-10
Publication date: 2006-12-13
Also published as: GB0511744D0

Abstract

A reusable support for human patients suffering from lower leg trauma which comprises a base plate 7, interchangeable insoles which engage the sole of the foot, interchangeable rear padding which engages the plantar flexor, electro-stimulation points which contact the skin, strapping 1 having an adjustable length and padding units 5, 6 attached to each strap which contact the skin. Preferably the base plate 7 provides rigid support to the foot, ankle and lower leg and includes points to attach the insoles, rear padding, electro-stimulation points and strapping 1. The base plate 7, insoles and rear padding may be water-resistant. The strapping 1 may be attached to protrusions 2 in the base plate to provide an adjustable fit. The support unit may have an open design to give visibility of the lower leg. The electro-stimulation points may stimulate the muscles to reduce muscle wastage.

Description

Re-Usable Fracture Cast for Ankle Injuries which accelerates fracture

healing and reduces muscle dystrophy.

The invention relates to the common plaster cast which is used to treat a variety of foot and ankle injuries. These casts are applied by medical professionals in a hospital/fracture clinic environment.

Such casts are well known and are the most common type of cast used to treat a range of ankle and foot injuries. However, they suffer from a variety of disadvantages. The patient loses vital muscle, and bone mass due to complete immobilisation during the application time of the cast (usually 6-10 weeks). When the cast is removed, the foot and ankle are very weak and stiff, obviously smaller than the other ankle/foot, and due to this a long period of further rehabilitation is required before returning to normal everyday life.

The nature of the material used in plaster casts also limits the patient in being able to shower/bath or swim as this will ruin the plaster cast. Plaster casts also don't allow for any variation in footiankle size, whether this is due to swelling or loss of mass. When plaster casts are applied, there will be swelling of the affected limb, as this is the first phase of the healing process. As the swelling reduces, the cast will no longer be properly fitted, and this can cause problems during the healing process.

This invention addresses each of these problems. Firstly, the invention incorporates electro pad stimulation into the cast, so the muscles can be stimulated during the time the cast is applied for. This will reduce muscle dystrophy (wastage) arid mean the ankle/foot is much stronger when the cast is removed. This invention has been designed so that insoles and rear padding can be fitted as per the patients needs. This allows the cast to be individually tailored as per the plaster cast.

The invention has been designed so that it is an open cast. Three straps are used to secure the foot/ankle in place. This open design allows superior skin treatment to that of a plaster cast. The affected area can be washed, and as all the materials used in the cast are non absorbent, the cast can be taken in the bath! shower. This is especially beneficial to diabetes sufferers.

The foam used for the rear padding, and front support pads is called Deleur Foam and is a specialist podiatry foam. This foam will allow a slight movement of the ankle joint as and when weight can be applied. The patient will only be able to apply weight as and when pain allows. The movement is very minimal, but accelerates fracture healing with the increased blood circulation.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows a 3/4 view of the main base plate, designed to give rigid support to the foot/ankle. * *

* * S * * * * * .55 * S S * * ** * S S S * S * I S * S 5 *IS S ** S * S.. * FIGURE 2 shows how the insole can be interchanged to suit the individual to give a tailored fit.

FIGURE 3 shows how the front pad is fitted to the front of the foot/ankle. The strap is thread through the base plate and secured in place.

FIGURE 4 shows the cast once it has been applied to the ankle/foot. The three support pads used are secured in place. The positioning of these pads provides complete support to the ankle, which is vital for a successful healing.

As shown in figure 1 the cast comprises of a fixed rigid base plate 7. Attached to this are straps I which are used to secure the foot/ankle into the cast. The base plate includes protrusions 2 on the sides for the straps to be thread through and secured. The base plate includes two circular protrusions 3 which form part of the electrical connection. These are positioned for the rear padding and insole to be connected in place. The rear padding and insole have electro pads sewn into them, and are connected/secured into place in the base plate via a pop button connection.

Figure 2 shows the insole 4 with the electro pads sewn in being connected into the base plate 7 using the connection on protrusion 3 in the base plate.

Figure 3 shows the support pad 5,6 being secured to the front of the ankle/foot using strap 1. The support pad is comprised of two parts. Part 5 is a flexible part which is designed to have the strap thread through it to secure it in place, and reduce the chance of the support pad slipping once applied. Pad 6 is a podiatry foam and is used to give enhanced comfort when applied. This foam provides complete support, but can be compressed when force is applied. This is what allows the slight movement which will further accelerate healing rates.

Figure 4 shows the cast once applied. Support pads 5,6 are positioned in the three necessary positions to provide complete support.

The cast comes in six parts, which require simple assembly before being applied to the patient. The insole and rear padding need to be chosen so that they best fit the individual.

These parts are simply connected into the base plate. The three support pads 5,6 are thread onto the straps I and secured in place. The straps I are adjustable which allows for any swelling. * * *

* S S S 5 * * I * S S * S IS S I * S 55. * * S I * S 5 *S5 5 5 Se **5 5 Cms

Claims

I. A re-usable support unit for human patients suffering from lower leg

trauma comprising of a base plate, interchangeable insoles that engage the base of the patient's foot, interchangeable rear padding that engages the patient's plantar flexor, electro-stimulation points that engage the patient's skin, electrical control box, strapping that can be adjusted in length, and padding units attached to each strap that engage the patient's skin.
2. A re-usable support unit for human patients suffering from lower leg trauma according to claim 1, in which the base plate provides means to attach the interchangeable insoles, rear padding, electro-stimulation points, and strapping.
3. A re-usable support unit for human patients suffering from lower leg trauma according to claim 1, in which the base plate is impervious to water and gives rigid support to the patient's foot, ankle and lower leg.
4. A re-usable support unit for human patients suffering from lower leg trauma according to claim 1, in which the interchangeable insoles that engage the base of the patient's foot offer cushioned support to the base of the patient's foot to dissipate pressure, the interchangeable insoles are water-resistant and anti-bacterial.
5. A re-usable support unit for human patients suffering from lower leg trauma according to claim I, in which the interchangeable rear padding that engages the patient's calf offers cushioned support to the patient's calf, the interchangeable rear padding is water-resistant and antibacterial.
6. A re-usable support unit for human patients suffering from lower leg trauma according to claim 1, in which electro-stimulation points that engage the patient's skin stimulate the patient's muscles through electrostimulation, the electro stimulation points are electrically attached to the electrical box via an insulated electrical conductor.
7. A re-usable support unit for human patients suffering from lower leg trauma according to claim 6, in which the potential difference, frequency and time period of the electro stimulation is adjustable, the electrostimulation points are water resistant.
8. A re-usable support unit for human patients suffering from lower leg trauma according to claim 1, in which the electrical control box is adjustable in potential difference, period of engagement and frequency.
9. A re-usable support unit for human patients suffering from lower leg trauma according to claim 1, in which the strapping can be adjusted in length allowing the degree of fitting of the support unit to the patient's lower leg to be adjusted, the strapping is attached to the base unit through protrusions.
10. A re-usable support unit for human patients suffering from lower leg trauma according to claim 1, in which padding units attached to each strap that engage the patient's skin dissipate the pressure of the adjustable strapping on the patient's skin.

Ii. A re-usable support unit for human patients suffering from lower leg trauma according to claim I, in which an open design is incorporated to give visibility of the lower leg.