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DE-102018111031-B4 - Ankle brace

DE102018111031B4DE 102018111031 B4DE102018111031 B4DE 102018111031B4DE-102018111031-B4

Abstract

Ankle orthosis (10) with a medial stabilizing element (12) designed to be applied to the lower leg and having an upper section (18) that is positioned above the medial malleolus (14), an anterior section (20) that is positioned in front of the medial malleolus (14), a lower section (22) that is positioned below the medial malleolus (14) and a posterior section (24) that is positioned behind the medial malleolus (14), such that the stabilizing element (12) is open posteriorly and superiorly in plan view. wherein a first band (32) is attached to the upper section (18), which, when the orthosis (10) is applied, runs circularly around the lower leg (16) above the medial malleolus (14) towards the upper section (18), wherein a second band (34) is attached to the posterior section (24), which, when the orthosis (10) is applied, first runs posteriorly above the Achilles tendon (54) and then anteriorly over the upper dorsum of the foot (58) to the lower section (22), and wherein a third band (36) is attached to the lower section (22), which, when the orthosis (10) is applied, first runs over the arch of the foot (66) under the midfoot (17) to the outside, and then continues diagonally over the top of the foot (58) to the upper section (18).

Inventors

  • Jochen Weigel

Assignees

  • WILHELM JULIUS TEUFEL GMBH

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20180508

Claims (15)

  1. Ankle orthosis (10) with a medial stabilizing element (12) designed to be applied to the lower leg and comprising an upper section (18) that applies above the medial malleolus (14), an anterior section (20) that applies anterior to the medial malleolus (14), a lower section (22) that applies below the medial malleolus (14), and a posterior section (24) that applies posterior to the medial malleolus (14), such that the stabilizing element (12) is open posteriorly and superiorly in plan view, a first strap (32) being attached to the upper section (18), which, when the orthosis (10) is applied, runs circumferentially around the lower leg (16) above the medial malleolus (14) towards the upper section (18), a second strap (34) being attached to the posterior section (24), which, when the orthosis (10) is applied (10) initially runs posteriorly above the Achilles tendon (54) and then anteriorly over the upper dorsum of the foot (58) towards the lower section (22), and a third ligament (36) is attached to the lower section (22), which, when the orthosis (10) is applied, initially runs over the arch of the foot (66) under the midfoot (17) to the outside, and then continues diagonally over the dorsum of the foot (58) towards the upper section (18).
  2. Ankle orthosis (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the third ligament (36), after running outwards under the midfoot (17), encircles the midfoot (17) once and then continues diagonally over the dorsum of the foot (58) towards the upper section (18).
  3. Ankle orthosis (10) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the stabilizing element (12) has slot-like recesses (38, 64) and/or rivet fixings (52) for fastening the straps (32, 34, 36).
  4. Ankle orthosis (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stabilizing element (12) has hook and loop points (42, 44, 46) for attaching the straps (32, 34, 36) and/or that the straps (32, 34, 36) have at least partially hook and loop sections in order to be able to be attached to themselves.
  5. Ankle orthosis (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one ligament (32, 34, 36) and preferably all ligaments (32, 34, 36) are not elastic or substantially non-elastic.
  6. Ankle orthosis (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one ligament (32, 34, 36) and preferably all ligaments (32, 34, 36) are formed in one piece.
  7. Ankle orthosis (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first strap (32) has a first end section (40) attached to the stabilizing element (12) and a second end section (50) which provides a Velcro section with which the second end section (50) can be fastened to the first end section.
  8. Ankle orthosis (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second strap (34) has a first end section attached to the stabilizing element (12) and a second end section (60) which provides a Velcro section with which the second end section (60) can be fastened to the front section (20) of the stabilizing element (12).
  9. Ankle orthosis (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third strap (36) has a first end section (62) attached to the stabilizing element (12) and a second end section (68) which provides a Velcro section with which the second end section (68) can be fastened to the upper section of the stabilizing element.
  10. Ankle orthosis (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ligaments (32, 34, 36) are in the Provide Velcro sections for mutual fastening in areas where they intersect.
  11. Ankle orthosis (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that padding (26) is provided on the side of the stabilizing element (12) facing the lower leg, which is cut at a 45° angle to the plane of the stabilizing element (12).
  12. Ankle orthosis (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stabilizing element (12) is made of a fiber composite plastic.
  13. Ankle orthosis (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the straps (32, 34, 36) has a stabilizing section (70) having two Velcro strap sections (72, 74) running parallel to each other.
  14. Ankle orthosis (10) according to Claim 10 , characterized in that the hook and loop fastener sections (72, 74) of the stabilizing section (70) have welded and unwelded areas (76, 78) to form a positionally stable shape.
  15. Ankle orthosis (10) according to Claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the stabilizing section (70) is provided on the third band (36) in the area of the outer edge of the foot.

Description

The invention relates to an ankle orthosis with a single, stable support element located on the inside of the leg, which is attached to the lower leg and foot by means of straps to ensure stability. Support elements for the treatment of joints, which are attached to the leg with ligaments or cuffs, are known from the prior art and can, for example, be designed as an ankle orthosis to protect the lower leg and foot from incorrect movements and to stabilize it, for example, in the case of ligament injuries. From the DE 3840714 A1 For example, one such orthosis is known which essentially consists of a U-shaped support bar, the ends of which are fixed to the leg above the ankles using Velcro. To achieve sufficient flexural rigidity, the support bar is designed with relatively strong arms. The document DE 69815855 T Figure 2 discloses an ankle orthosis which has a flexible support element which has a voluminous component to be applied to the inside and outside of the ankle. From the DE 20 2006 003 245 U1 an L-shaped pad is revealed, which is intended to be attached to the outer joint. From the US 2016/0 206 462 A1 A compression stocking with elastic bands is revealed. In practice, however, it has been shown that state-of-the-art ankle orthoses offer little comfort and take up a lot of space in the patient's shoe, leading to further loss of comfort. The invention is based on the objective of creating an ankle orthosis that eliminates the problems of the prior art in order to counteract lateral buckling of the upper and lower ankle joints and talar tilting through an effective interaction of the functional elements. This problem is solved by an ankle orthosis with the features of claim 1. The ankle orthosis according to the invention therefore provides a stabilizing element designed to rest against the lower leg and comprising an upper section that rests above the medial malleolus, an anterior section that rests in front of the medial malleolus, a lower section that rests below the medial malleolus, and a posterior section that rests behind the medial malleolus. For securing the stabilizing element, the ankle orthosis has a first strap attached to the upper section, which, when the orthosis is applied, runs circumferentially around the lower leg above the ankle towards the upper section. Furthermore, a second strap is attached to the posterior section of the stabilizing element, which, when the orthosis is applied, initially runs posteriorly above the Achilles tendon and then anteriorly across the anterior dorsum of the foot towards the lower section. Finally, a third strap is provided, which is attached to the lower section and, when the orthosis is applied, initially runs laterally over the arch of the foot under the midfoot and then continues diagonally across the dorsum of the foot towards the upper section. This type of orthosis can be securely and supportively attached to the lower leg to counteract lateral buckling of the upper and lower ankle joints as well as talar tilting. Despite this support, the stabilizing element requires relatively little space due to the design and guidance of the three ligaments, thus increasing wearing comfort. According to the invention, it can further be provided that the third ligament, after running outwards under the midfoot, encircles the midfoot once and then continues diagonally across the dorsum of the foot towards the upper section. This provides even more support for the foot and further prevents lateral flexion or talar tilting. The stabilizing element is designed such that, when in its installed state, it is open to the rear and upwards when viewed from above, i.e., orthogonally to the plane in which it lies. The stabilizing element preferably has the shape of an inverted question mark (without the dot) or an open "6". The stabilizing element can have slot-like recesses and/or rivet fastenings for attaching the straps. The stabilizing element can have hook-and-loop fasteners at appropriate points for attaching the straps. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the straps have hook-and-loop sections, at least in part, particularly to allow them to be attached to themselves. To ensure secure support of the foot, it is advantageous if at least one ligament, and preferably all ligaments, are not affected. or are essentially non-elastic. The straps are primarily designed as webbing. At least one strap, and preferably all straps, can be made from a single piece or from several individual straps. If multiple straps are used, they can be connected, for example, by hook-and-loop fasteners. Using hook-and-loop fasteners has the advantage that the straps can be shortened to the appropriate length depending on the shape of the foot being supported. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first band comprises a first end section attached to the stabilizing element and a second end section, the second end section having a hook-and-loop fastener with which the second end