Knee rehabilitation device

Abstract

A rehabilitation device that has a foot support with a width that substantially covers the arch of a patient's foot. The foot support has a closure system that allows the support to snugly receive and support the foot. The device has at least one strap detachably attached to the foot support, the strap comprising a fastener to allow a loop to be formed in the length of the strap. The device is operated by pulling the foot toward the knee to increase range of motion after knee injury.

Description

PRIORITY INFORMATION [0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Patent application No. 60 / 739,167, filed Nov. 25, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Knee injuries are an unfortunate byproduct of today's emphasis on sports and physical fitness; however, effective surgical techniques have been developed to repair injuries such as to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and other components of the knee. In addition, many members of our aging population are candidates for total knee replacement surgery because of disease and / or injury. All of these surgical procedures must be followed by a period of rehabilitation in order for recovery to be complete. Furthermore, some injuries to the knee may not require surgery but instead may require an extensive rehabilitation period. Such rehabilitation generally requires that the knee be flexed and the leg be extended such as occurs in normal walking; ho...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a rehabilitation device that assists in the rehabilitation of the knee and that will overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices. The devices of the present invention help increase knee mobility following surgery, injury or other physical condition. The device is particularly useful in rehabilitation following knee surgery.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the rehabilitation of the knee that is safe and simple to use in a wide range of applications in the physical rehabilitation process.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable rehabilitation device that is easy to use and accommodates the physical conditions of all users.

[0019] Another embodiment of the present invention is a medical device for knee flexing and rehabilitation that has an adjustable foot cradle to snugly engage and support the arch of a user's foot, a first elongate handle that terminates with a loop to be gripped by a user's hand, and a second elongate handle that terminates in a loop to be gripped by a user's hand. The two loops can be gripped and used to pull the foot toward the user's body with arm strength.

[0020] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of performing knee rehabilitation, comprising providing a rehabilitation device as described herein, snugly securing the support around the users foot by hook and loop attachment, and then using arm strength to pull the strap in a manner that causes the foot to move toward the user's body. This movement causes the knee to flex, and imparts flexibility to an injured knee.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, some injuries to the knee may not require surgery but instead may require an extensive rehabilitation period.

Such rehabilitation generally requires that the knee be flexed and the leg be extended such as occurs in normal walking; however, it is frequently undesirable for a recovering patient to bear weight on his leg while rehabilitating his knee.

In addition, when a knee has suffered a trauma or other injury, or after surgery, a person often lacks the necessary muscle control, strength or will to flex his knee and straighten his leg.

However, there are problems with this method.

For example, conducting knee exercises with a towel or sheet provides a user with a lack of support around the foot, and the exercise itself is much less controlled.

Additionally, a danger exists that the towel can slip from around the knee and cause the knee to return to an extended position too quickly, which can cause pain and even damage to the knee.

This device cannot support a foot for knee rehabilitation exercises.

Like the '767 patent discussed above, this device is not suitable for controlled, knee flexing exercises.

The system in place to adjust this loop to receive a user's shoe is not easily adjustable.

There are many disadvantages to this system, including the fact that it would not work well on many surfaces, including a bed.

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