A device for examining the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint.

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of orthopedic technology, specifically to a device for examining the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint. The device includes a foot support, a tibial fixation component, a calcaneal fixation component, a forefoot elevation component, a calcaneal locking component, and an angle measuring component. The tibial fixation component is fixedly connected to the foot support and located on one side of the foot support. The angle measuring component is mounted on the tibial fixation component, and the calcaneal fixation component is connected to the tibial fixation component via the angle measuring component. The forefoot elevation component is mounted on the foot support. In use, the patient places their foot into the tibial fixation component, with the heel positioned within the calcaneal fixation component. The forefoot elevation component is then pushed, causing it to contact the sole of the patient's forefoot, ensuring dorsiflexion of the ankle joint and locking of the talus. Subsequently, the calcaneus is inverted and everted. The angle of the calcaneal fixation component is measured using the angle measuring component, thereby measuring the range of motion of the patient's subtalar joint.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of orthopedic technology, and in particular to a device for examining the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint. Background Technology

[0002] The subtalar joint is an important joint of the hindfoot, and some scholars have likened it to a "human steering wheel." It plays an important role in adjusting the lower limb force line when bearing weight. The subtalar joint allows an inversion angle of about 25° and an eversion angle of about 12-15°.

[0003] Subtalar instability is a common complication of many ankle instabilities, but it is difficult to diagnose due to its complexity. Current imaging assessments, such as radiography and CT, cannot definitively diagnose the presence of subtalar instability. While MRI has some suggestive value, and numerous domestic and international studies have repeatedly emphasized the importance of physical examination in the diagnosis of subtalar instability, compensatory movements of the ankle joint during the examination can lead to inaccurate assessments of subtalar joint mobility, potentially resulting in misdiagnosis and overtreatment.

[0004] Currently, there is no suitable quantitative tool for assessing the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device for examining the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint, which solves the problem that it is inconvenient to measure the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an examination device for subtalar joint stability and range of motion, comprising a foot support plate, a tibial fixation member, a calcaneal fixation member, a forefoot elevation assembly, a calcaneal locking assembly, and an angle measuring assembly. The tibial fixation member is fixedly connected to the foot support plate and located on one side of the foot support plate. The angle measuring assembly is disposed on the tibial fixation member. The calcaneal fixation member is connected to the tibial fixation member through the angle measuring assembly. The forefoot elevation assembly is disposed on the foot support plate, and the calcaneal locking assembly is disposed on the calcaneal fixation member.

[0007] The angle measuring component includes a rotating arm, a degree plate, and a fixed base. The fixed base is fixedly connected to the calcaneal fixation member and is disposed on the calcaneal fixation member. The rotating arm is fixedly connected to the fixed base and rotatably connected to the tibial fixation member and is disposed on the fixed base. The degree plate is fixedly connected to the tibial fixation member and is located on the side of the tibial fixation member closer to the rotating arm.

[0008] The rotating arm includes an indicator plate, a rotating hub, and an indicator needle. The rotating hub is fixedly connected to the tibial fixation member and is located on the side of the tibial fixation member near the fixation seat. The indicator plate is rotatably connected to the rotating hub and fixedly connected to the fixation seat, and is disposed on the rotating hub. The indicator needle is fixedly connected to the indicator plate and is located on the side of the indicator plate near the diopter plate.

[0009] The forefoot elevation assembly includes a triangular slider and a locking member. The triangular slider is slidably connected to the foot support plate and is located on the side of the foot support plate near the tibia fixation member. The locking member is threadedly connected to the triangular slider and abuts against the foot support plate, and is located on one side of the triangular slider.

[0010] The foot support plate has a central groove and a side groove. The central groove is disposed on the foot support plate and located on the side of the foot support plate near the triangular slider, and the central groove cooperates with the triangular slider. The side groove is disposed on the foot support plate and located on the side of the foot support plate near the locking member, and the side groove cooperates with the locking member.

[0011] The tibial fixation member includes a metal part and a leather part. The leather part is fixedly connected to the foot support plate and is located on one side of the foot support plate. The metal part is fixedly connected to the leather part and is disposed on the leather part.

[0012] The metal part has a first through hole, which is disposed on the metal part and penetrates through the metal part; the leather part has a second through hole, which is disposed on the leather part and penetrates through the leather part.

[0013] This invention discloses a device for examining the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint. In use, the patient places their foot into the tibial fixation member and tightens it with shoelaces. At this point, the patient's heel is positioned within the calcaneal fixation member. The forefoot elevation component is then pushed, bringing it against the sole of the patient's forefoot to ensure ankle dorsiflexion and locking of the talus. The calcaneal locking component then secures the calcaneal fixation member to the patient's heel. The calcaneus is then inverted and everted. The angle of the calcaneal fixation member is measured using the angle measuring component, thereby measuring the patient's subtalar joint stability and range of motion. The range of motion of the subtalar joint is assessed by dorsiflexing the ankle joint and utilizing the morphological differences of the talus (wider anteriorly and narrower posteriorly) to lock the talus within the ankle mortise, limiting ankle inversion and eversion compensation. Simultaneously, passive dorsiflexion reduces the voluntary exertion of muscles around the ankle joint, avoiding interference with measurement data. Based on the anatomical characteristics of the medial and lateral sides of the calcaneus, a wrapping design is employed to increase friction by wrapping the medial and lateral sides of the calcaneus. The measurement method is no longer distance measurement but rather angle measurement that conforms to the characteristics of subtalar joint movement, thereby achieving the goal of accurately measuring the stability and range of motion of the patient's subtalar joint. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the device for checking the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting structure of the rotating arm according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the indicator plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the triangular slider according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the foot support plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the locking member according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the locking head according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first through hole in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] In the diagram: 101-Foot support plate, 102-Tibia fixation component, 103-Calon fixation component, 104-Forefoot elevation assembly, 105-Calon locking assembly, 106-Angle measuring assembly, 107-Rotating arm, 108-Degree plate, 109-Fixed base, 110-Indicator plate, 111-Rotation pivot, 112-Indicator needle, 113-Triangular slider, 114-Locking component, 115-Central groove, 116-Side groove, 201-Calon locking clamp, 202-Locking head, 203-Locking component, 204-Threaded rod, 205-Locking nut, 301-Metal part, 302-Leather part, 303-First through hole, 304-Second through hole. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, but should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0025] First embodiment:

[0026] Please see Figures 1 to 5 ,in Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the device for examining the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the rotating arm. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the indicator panel. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the triangular slider. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the foot support plate.

[0027] This invention provides a device for examining the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint, comprising a foot support plate 101, a tibial fixation component 102, a calcaneal fixation component 103, a forefoot elevation assembly 104, a calcaneal locking assembly 105, and an angle measuring assembly 106. The angle measuring assembly 106 includes a rotating arm 107, a degree plate 108, and a fixing base 109. The rotating arm 107 includes an indicator plate 110, a rotation pivot 111, and an indicator needle 112. The forefoot elevation assembly 104 includes a triangular slider 113 and a locking component 114. The foot support plate 101 has a central groove 11. 5 and the lateral groove 116, through the forefoot elevation component 104, abut against the patient's forefoot sole, ensuring ankle dorsiflexion and locking of the talus, and through the calcaneal locking component 105, the calcaneal fixation component 103 is made to fit against the patient's heel, and then the calcaneal fixation component 103 is inverted and everted, and the angle measuring component 106 is used to measure the patient's subtalar joint stability and range of motion. It can be understood that the above solution can be used to measure the subtalar joint stability and range of motion, and can also be used to solve the problem of tightly fitting the calcaneal fixation component 103 to the patient's heel.

[0028] The tibial fixation member 102 is fixedly connected to the foot support plate 101 and located on one side of the foot support plate 101. The angle measuring component 106 is disposed on the tibial fixation member 102. The calcaneal fixation member 103 is connected to the tibial fixation member 102 through the angle measuring component 106. The forefoot elevation component 104 is disposed on the foot support plate 101. The calcaneal locking component 105 is disposed on the calcaneal fixation member 103. The calcaneal fixation member 103 is made of relatively soft leather. In use, the patient places their foot into the tibial fixation member 102 and tightens the tibial fixation member 102 by binding the shoelaces. At this time, the patient's heel is located in the calcaneal fixation member 103. Then, the forefoot elevation component 104 is pushed so that the forefoot elevation component 104 abuts against the sole of the patient's forefoot. The ankle joint is dorsiflexed and locked in place by the talus. The calcaneal fixation member 103 is then attached to the patient's heel via the calcaneal locking component 105. The calcaneus is then inverted and everted. The angle measuring component 106 measures the angle of rotation of the calcaneal fixation member 103, thereby measuring the range of motion of the patient's subtalar joint. By dorsiflexing the ankle joint, the talus is locked in the ankle mortise by utilizing the morphological difference of the talus (wider in front and narrower in the back), limiting ankle inversion and eversion compensation. At the same time, passive dorsiflexion reduces the voluntary force exerted by the muscles around the ankle joint, avoiding affecting the measurement data. Based on the anatomical characteristics of the medial and lateral sides of the calcaneus, a wrapping design is adopted to wrap the medial and lateral sides of the calcaneus to increase friction. The measurement method is no longer distance measurement, but angle measurement that conforms to the characteristics of subtalar joint movement, thereby achieving the purpose of accurately measuring the stability and range of motion of the patient's subtalar joint.

[0029] Secondly, the fixation base 109 is fixedly connected to the calcaneal fixation member 103 and is disposed on the calcaneal fixation member 103; the rotating arm 107 is fixedly connected to the fixation base 109 and rotatably connected to the tibia fixation member 102, and is disposed on the fixation base 109; the measuring plate 108 is fixedly connected to the tibia fixation member 102 and is located on the side of the tibia fixation member 102 close to the rotating arm 107. The leather containing the metal pad is located at the rear of the calcaneal fixation member 103 where it connects with the fixation base 109, which facilitates fixing the fixation base 109 to the calcaneal fixation member 103. When the calcaneus is inverted or everted, the calcaneal fixation member 103 moves, thereby driving the fixation base 109 to move, causing the fixation base 109 to drive the rotating arm 107 to rotate away from the fixation base 109. The rotation angle of the rotating arm 107 is measured by the measuring plate 108, thereby measuring the mobility of the calcaneus.

[0030] Meanwhile, the rotating hub 111 is fixedly connected to the tibial fixation member 102 and is located on the side of the tibial fixation member 102 near the fixation base 109; the indicator plate 110 is rotatably connected to the rotating hub 111 and fixedly connected to the fixation base 109, and is disposed on the rotating hub 111; the indicator needle 112 is fixedly connected to the indicator plate 110 and is located on the side of the indicator plate 110 near the diopter plate 108, the diopter plate 108 has an angle range of 60°, and a middle scale. The angle is 0°, and 30° on each side. The rotating pivot 111 is the center of the entire indicator plate 110. At the same time, it can satisfy the rotation of the indicator needle 112 around the rotating pivot 111. When the calcaneal fixation member 103 is turned inward and outward, it drives the fixation seat 109 to rotate, so that the fixation seat 109 drives the indicator plate 110 to rotate. The indicator plate 110 drives the indicator needle 112 to rotate. The degree that the indicator needle 112 points to the degree plate 108 is the angle of inward or outward rotation of the calcaneal fixation member 103.

[0031] In addition, the triangular slider 113 is slidably connected to the foot support plate 101 and is located on the side of the foot support plate 101 near the tibia fixation member 102; the locking member 114 is threadedly connected to the triangular slider 113 and abuts against the foot support plate 101, and is located on one side of the triangular slider 113.

[0032] Finally, the central hole groove 115 is provided on the foot support plate 101 and is located on the side of the foot support plate 101 near the triangular slider 113, and the central hole groove 115 cooperates with the triangular slider 113; the side groove 116 is provided on the foot support plate 101 and is located on the side of the foot support plate 101 near the locking member 114, and the side groove 116 cooperates with the locking member 114.

[0033] The triangular slider 113 has three angles (30°, 45°, 60°), which can be adjusted forward and backward according to the size of the patient's foot and needs. At the same time, the triangular slider 113 can be adjusted according to the ankle dorsiflexion characteristics to ensure ankle dorsiflexion. The foot support plate 101 is a rectangle with an overall length of 20cm. The triangular slider 113 can slide back and forth on the foot support plate 101 through the central hole groove 115, and the locking member 114 can slide on the foot support plate 101 through the side groove 116. When the position of the triangular slider 113 is adjusted to the correct position, the locking member 114 is tightened so that the locking member 114 abuts against the foot support plate 101, thereby locking the triangular slider 113 onto the foot support plate 101.

[0034] When using the subtalar joint stability and range of motion testing device of this embodiment, the patient places their foot in the device, and simultaneously tightens the shoelaces to fix the patient's foot. The triangular slider 113 is pushed to the forefoot sole to ensure ankle dorsiflexion and locking of the talus. Simultaneously, the lower locking member 114 is tightened for locking. Then, a calcaneal fixation member 103 is worn at the calcaneus, and the calcaneal locking assembly 105 ensures a tight connection between the calcaneus and the calcaneal fixation member 103. Finally, the calcaneus is inverted and everted. When the calcaneus moves, it moves the calcaneal fixation member 103, which in turn moves the fixation seat 109, causing the fixation seat to move. 109 drives the indicator plate 110 and the indicator needle 112 to rotate. The degree of the indicator needle 112 pointing to the degree plate 108 can be used to measure the mobility of the calcaneus. This invention objectively evaluates and quantifies the determination of the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint. During the measurement, based on the characteristics of the subtalar joint movement, the change in angle of inversion and eversion is recorded with the longitudinal axis of the ankle joint as the midpoint, replacing the traditional displacement distance recording method. Based on the anatomical structure of the subtalar joint and the ankle joint, this patent uses the joint self-locking principle to lock the talus and prevent talus compensation during measurement, thereby achieving the purpose of measuring the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint.

[0035] Second embodiment:

[0036] Based on the first embodiment, please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the locking member in the second embodiment. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the locking head in the second embodiment. The calcaneal locking assembly 105 in this embodiment includes a calcaneal locking clamp 201, a locking head 202, and a locking member 203. The locking member 203 includes a threaded rod 204 and a locking nut 205.

[0037] In this specific embodiment, the locking head 202 is connected to the calcaneal fixation member 103 and located on one side of the calcaneal fixation member 103; the locking clamp 201 is connected to the locking head 202 and disposed on the locking head 202; the locking member 203 is disposed on the locking clamp 201, the locking clamp 201 is composed of two clamp handles rotatably connected, the two locking heads 202 are installed at the clamp head of the locking clamp 201, the locking head 202 is a cuboid with texture on the inner side, which helps to increase the locking friction. When locking the patient's heel, the two locking heads 202 are placed on both sides of the calcaneal fixation member, then the clamp handles of the locking clamp 201 are pinched, and the clamp handles of the locking clamp 201 are locked by the locking member 203, so that the patient's heel is tightly connected to the calcaneal fixation member 103.

[0038] The threaded rod 204 is connected to the locking clamp 201 and is mounted on the locking clamp 201; the locking nut 205 is threadedly connected to the threaded rod 204 and is sleeved on the threaded rod 204. The threaded rod 204 passes through the handle of the locking clamp 201. By rotating the locking nut 205, the locking nut 205 abuts against the locking clamp 201, thereby fixing and pressurizing the locking clamp 201.

[0039] Third embodiment:

[0040] Based on the first embodiment, please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the first through hole in the second embodiment. The tibial fixation member 102 in this embodiment includes a metal part 301 and a leather part 302. The metal part 301 has a first through hole 303, and the leather part 302 has a second through hole 304.

[0041] In this specific embodiment, the leather part 302 is fixedly connected to the foot support plate 101 and is located on one side of the foot support plate 101; the metal part 301 is fixedly connected to the leather part 302 and is disposed on the leather part 302.

[0042] The first through hole 303 is disposed on the metal part 301 and penetrates the metal part 301; the second through hole 304 is disposed on the leather part 302 and penetrates the leather part 302.

[0043] The metal part 301 is made of a relatively soft metal material and is used to tie shoelaces through the first through hole 303 for easy fixation. The leather part 302 is made of a relatively soft leather material and can work with the metal part 301 to better restrain the ankle and midfoot. The restraint shoelaces can pass through the first through hole 303 and the second through hole 304. In use, the patient's foot can be restrained by tightening the restraint shoelaces set on the metal part 301 and the leather part 302.

[0044] The above-disclosed embodiments are merely one or more preferred embodiments of this application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. Those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the processes for implementing the above embodiments and equivalent changes made in accordance with the claims of this application still fall within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A device for examining the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint, characterized in that, The device includes a foot support plate, a tibial fixation component, a calcaneal fixation component, a forefoot elevation component, a calcaneal locking component, and an angle measuring component. The tibial fixation component is fixedly connected to the foot support plate and is located on one side of the foot support plate. The angle measuring component is disposed on the tibial fixation component. The calcaneal fixation component is connected to the tibial fixation component through the angle measuring component. The forefoot elevation component is disposed on the foot support plate, and the calcaneal locking component is disposed on the calcaneal fixation component. The angle measuring assembly includes a rotating arm, a degree plate, and a fixed base. The fixed base is fixedly connected to the calcaneal fixation member and is disposed on the calcaneal fixation member. The rotating arm is fixedly connected to the fixed base and rotatably connected to the tibial fixation member and is disposed on the fixed base. The degree plate is fixedly connected to the tibial fixation member and is located on the side of the tibial fixation member closer to the rotating arm. The forefoot elevation assembly includes a triangular slider and a locking member. The triangular slider is slidably connected to the foot support plate and is located on the side of the foot support plate near the tibia fixation member. The locking member is threadedly connected to the triangular slider and abuts against the foot support plate, and is located on one side of the triangular slider. By pushing the triangular slider to the sole of the forefoot, the ankle joint is dorsiflexed and the talus is locked.

2. The device for checking the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating arm includes an indicator plate, a rotating hub, and an indicator needle. The rotating hub is fixedly connected to the tibial fixation member and is located on the side of the tibial fixation member near the fixation seat. The indicator plate is rotatably connected to the rotating hub and fixedly connected to the fixation seat, and is disposed on the rotating hub. The indicator needle is fixedly connected to the indicator plate and is located on the side of the indicator plate near the diopter plate.

3. The device for checking the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The foot support plate has a central hole groove and a side groove. The central hole groove is disposed on the foot support plate and located on the side of the foot support plate near the triangular slider, and the central hole groove cooperates with the triangular slider. The side groove is disposed on the foot support plate and located on the side of the foot support plate near the locking member, and the side groove cooperates with the locking member.

4. The device for checking the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The tibial fixation member includes a metal part and a leather part. The leather part is fixedly connected to the foot support plate and is located on one side of the foot support plate. The metal part is fixedly connected to the leather part and is disposed on the leather part.

5. The apparatus for examining the stability and range of motion of the subtalar joint as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The metal part has a first through hole, which is disposed on the metal part and penetrates the metal part; the leather part has a second through hole, which is disposed on the leather part and penetrates the leather part.

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