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JP-7857313-B2 - Foot orthotics with swivel joints to correct foot misalignment.

JP7857313B2JP 7857313 B2JP7857313 B2JP 7857313B2JP-7857313-B2

Inventors

  • ブラス、マンフレッド
  • オステンリーダー、ヨルク

Assignees

  • ラディック バートラム ゲーエムベーハー

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20220322
Priority Date
20210322

Claims (12)

  1. A foot orthotic device (10) for correcting foot positional abnormalities, particularly for treating bunions, The device comprises a toe splint (16) configured to be fixed to the toes (12) and a metatarsal splint (17) configured to be fixed to the metatarsal region of the foot, wherein the toe splint (16) and the metatarsal splint (17) are pivotably connected to each other by a swivel joint (22). In a fastened state in which the foot orthosis (10) is properly secured to the foot, the foot orthosis (10) is configured to apply a first corrective force (F1) to the toe (12) via the toe splint (16) and a second corrective force (F2) to the intermetatarsal phalangeal joint (14) via the swivel joint (22) in the opposite direction to the first corrective force (F1). The swivel joint (22) is provided with a recess in the form of a through hole (44), and the through hole (44) extends along the swivel axis (S) of the swivel joint (22) and is shaped so that , in the fastened state in which it is fixed to the foot, the lateral projection (46) of the joint (14) between the metatarsals and phalanges is received by the through hole (44). The swivel joint (22) is The first joint element (50) in the form of a joint ring (50) connected to the toe splint (16), A second joint element ( 52) in the form of a joint pin (52) connected to the metatarsal splint (17), wherein the first joint element (50) and the second joint element (52) are engaged by fitting laterally with respect to the swivel axis (S) of the swivel joint (22), and the second joint element (52) is connected to the swivel axis (S). Equipped with, The joint pin (52) is provided with a receiving groove (54), and a connecting ring (56) designed to correspond to the joint ring (50) is guided in the receiving groove (54). The joint pin (52) has radial circumferential shoulders , which are shaped to be received in a further recess (64) of the joint ring (50) and provide a mating engagement between the joint ring (50) and the joint pin (52) in the direction of the swivel axis (S) . Foot orthotics.
  2. The swivel joint (22) is a hollow trunnion swivel joint. The foot orthosis according to claim 1.
  3. The swivel joint (22) has a maximum width along the swivel axis (S) which is 0.6 cm or less. The foot orthosis according to claim 1 or claim 2.
  4. In the fastened state of the foot orthosis (10), the lateral projection (46) of the intermetatarsal phalangeal joint (14) extends along the swivel axis (S) along at least 50% of the maximum width of the swivel joint (22). A foot orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
  5. In the fastened state of the foot orthosis (10), the lateral projection (46) of the joint (14) between the metatarsal phalanges protrudes through the through hole (44) along the swivel axis (S). The foot orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
  6. The swivel joint (22) is designed such that the side wall (48) of the swivel joint (22) that divides the recess has a minimum radius of curvature of 1 mm, 2 mm, or 5 mm. A foot orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
  7. The minimum diameter of the recess around the swivel shaft (S) is at least 1.5 cm, or at least 2.0 cm, or at least 2.5 cm. A foot orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
  8. In the fastened state of the foot orthosis (10), the swivel axis (S) of the swivel joint (22) substantially coincides with the base joint axis of the intermetatarsal phalangeal joint (14) of the toe. The foot orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
  9. In the fastened state in which the swivel axis (S) of the swivel joint (22) is aligned with the flexion-extension joint axis of the intermetatarsal phalangeal joint (14), the swivel joint (22) allows relative rotational movement between the toe splint (16) and the metatarsal splint (17) only around the swivel axis (S). The foot orthosis according to claim 8.
  10. The first joint element (50) is integrally connected to or bonded to the toe splint (16). The second joint element (52) is integrally connected to or bonded to the metatarsal splint (17). The foot orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
  11. In the fastened state, the second joint element (52) connected to the metatarsal splint (17) is positioned along the swivel axis (S) between the first joint element (50) connected to the toe splint (16) and the foot. The foot orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
  12. The aforementioned foot orthosis is In the fastened state, the system is configured to apply a retaining force (F3) that is directed in the opposite direction to the second corrective force (F2) to the metatarsal bone via the metatarsal splint (17). The swivel joint (22) is configured to transmit a bending force parallel to the first corrective force (F1) or the second corrective force (F2) between the metatarsal splint (17) and the toe splint (16) in the fastened state. In the fastened state fixed to the foot, the first corrective force (F1), the second corrective force (F2), and the holding force (F3) are provided in the form of bending forces induced by the elastic deformation of the metatarsal splint (17) and the toe splint (16). The foot orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Description

This invention relates to a foot orthotic device for correcting foot misalignment, particularly for treating bunions. Pathological positional abnormalities in the metatarsal and forefoot regions (areas) of a patient can have various causes, including genetic predisposition, wearing inappropriate (wrong) footwear, particularly overly tight shoes or high heels, or flattening of the longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot as a result of connective tissue instability in the metatarsal region. In particular, positional abnormalities of the big toe (hallux valgus) at the metatarsophalangeal joint, also known as hallux valgus, are becoming increasingly important due to the steadily increasing number of cases. Hallux valgus (bunion) arises from the pull of muscles on the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe (hallux), which pulls the metatarsophalangeal joint inward. This causes the first metatarsal bone to protrude from the medial side of the big toe as a ball-shaped projection at the metatarsophalangeal joint, a condition known as pseudoostosis. In medical literature, this ball-shaped projection is described as a protrusion in the metatarsophalangeal joint area or as a swelling occurring in the area of the aponeurosis. As hallux valgus progresses, it can lead to painful infections of the protruding toe ball. Hallux valgus is often accompanied by changes in the length and direction of tendon traction, which can further worsen the deformity over time. As a result, arthropathy of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe (hallux) develops, which must be treated surgically in advanced stages. In addition to surgical intervention, conservative therapies are known to be used to halt or counteract the disease process. For example, the use of tape bandages or orthoses is known to treat the foot in a resting position. Due to the need for the foot to remain at rest during treatment, these are primarily used at night. Furthermore, orthotic devices are known that allow a splinted big toe to move along its flexion-extension direction while fixed to the foot. For example, DE 10240121 B4 discloses an orthopedic device in the form of a hinged splint, articulated around the flexion-extension axis of the toe to be corrected. For this purpose, the hinged flexion splint is provided with a joint that leans against the medial side of the foot and two flexion legs extending from the joint along the medial side of the foot. To fix the hinged flexion splint to the foot, the first flexion leg is fixed to the toe via a first bandage, and the second flexion leg is fixed to the metatarsal bone via a second bandage. Further embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the figures: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a foot orthosis fixed to a patient's foot.Figure 2 is a perspective view of the foot orthosis shown in Figure 1, and the foot is not shown for the sake of general appearance.Figure 3 is a perspective view of the foot orthosis shown in Figure 1, and the foot is not shown for the sake of general appearance.Figure 4 shows different diagrams of the foot orthotics depicted in Figures 1 to 3, separated from the foot.Figure 5 shows different diagrams of the foot orthotics depicted in Figures 1 to 3, separated from the foot.Figure 6 shows different diagrams of the foot orthotics depicted in Figures 1 to 3, separated from the foot.Figure 7 shows different diagrams of the foot orthotics depicted in Figures 1 to 3, separated from the foot.Figure 8 shows different diagrams of the foot orthotics depicted in Figures 1 to 3, separated from the foot.Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross-section of the swivel joint of the foot shown in Figures 1 to 8.Figure 10 is a perspective view of a foot orthosis according to another embodiment, in which the foot orthosis is fixed to the patient's foot.Figure 11 is a diagram showing the foot orthosis shown in Figure 10 detached from the foot.Figure 12 is a diagram showing the foot orthosis shown in Figure 10 detached from the foot. Preferred embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical, similar, or similarly functioning elements are given the same reference numeral, and repeated descriptions can be omitted to avoid duplication. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a foot orthosis 10 for correcting foot misalignment. In particular, the foot orthosis 10 shown in Figure 1 is intended and provided for the treatment of hallux valgus, that is, a pathological misalignment of the big toe (hallux), also known as eversion of the metatarsophalangeal joint 14 of the big toe, and a pathological misalignment of the metatarsophalangeal joint 14 of the big toe, also known as inversion of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe. Furthermore, the illustrated foot orthosis 10 can be used to prevent hallux valgus. Hereinafter, for convenience, the term "big toe" will be abbreviated as "toe," and the term "metatarsophalangeal joint