Ankle brace
The ankle orthosis addresses the issue of comfort and space by using a stabilizing element with three straps and padding, ensuring secure fit and support against lateral ankle movements, enhancing comfort and effectiveness.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FIRMA WILHELM JULIUS TEUFEL
- Filing Date
- 2018-05-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-13
AI Technical Summary
State-of-the-art ankle orthoses offer little comfort and occupy significant space in the shoe, leading to further loss of comfort due to their design and functionality.
An ankle orthosis with a stabilizing element that rests against the lower leg, utilizing three straps for secure attachment, minimizing space requirements while providing support against lateral flexion and talar tilting, featuring hook-and-loop fasteners for adjustable fit and padding for comfort.
The orthosis provides enhanced comfort and support by minimizing space in the shoe while effectively preventing lateral ankle joint movements and talar tilting, with adjustable straps and padding for improved fit and reduced pressure points.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] 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.
[0002] 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.
[0003] For example, such an orthosis is known from DE 3840714 A1, which essentially consists of a U-shaped support bar, the ends of which are fixed to the leg above the ankles with Velcro. To achieve sufficient flexural rigidity, the support bar is designed with relatively strong arms.
[0004] Document DE 69815855 T2 discloses an ankle orthosis which has a flexible support element that includes a voluminous component to be applied to the inside and outside of the ankle.
[0005] German patent application DE 20 2006 003 245 U1 discloses an L-shaped pad designed for application to the lateral joint. US patent application US 2016 / 0 206 462 A1 discloses a compression stocking with elastic bands.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] This problem is solved by an ankle orthosis with the features of claim 1.
[0009] 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 over the anterior dorsum of the foot towards the lower section.Furthermore, a third strap is provided, which is attached to the lower section and, when the orthosis is worn, initially runs over the arch of the foot under the midfoot to the outside, and then continues diagonally across the instep to the upper section. Such an orthosis can be securely and supportively attached to the lower leg to counteract lateral flexion of the upper and lower ankle joints as well as talar tilting. Despite this, the stabilizing element requires relatively little space due to the design and routing of the three straps, thus increasing wearing comfort.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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".
[0012] The stabilizing element can have slot-like recesses and / or rivet fastenings for attaching the straps.
[0013] 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.
[0014] To ensure secure support of the foot, it is advantageous if at least one ligament, and preferably all ligaments, are non-elastic or essentially non-elastic. The ligaments are particularly designed as webbing.
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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 section can be fastened to the first end section. The first end section can, in particular, be attached to the stabilizing element in a slot-like recess. Because the second end section is fastened to the first end section with hook-and-loop fasteners, additional fastening means are unnecessary.
[0017] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the second strap has a first end section attached to the stabilizing element and a second end section with a hook-and-loop fastener, allowing the second end section to be attached to the front section of the stabilizing element. This results in a convenient attachment of the second strap to the stabilizing element.
[0018] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the third strap has a first end section attached to the stabilizing element and a second end section that includes a hook-and-loop fastener with which the second end section can be attached to the upper section of the stabilizing element. This also results in an advantageous arrangement.
[0019] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the straps have hook-and-loop fasteners in the areas where they cross, allowing them to be attached to each other. This allows the orthosis to be positioned even more effectively and provide better support on the lower leg and foot.
[0020] To ensure comfortable contact of the stabilizing element with the lower leg, it is advantageous to provide padding on the side of the stabilizing element facing the lower leg. The padding preferably has an edge area that forms an angle of 45° with the plane of the stabilizing element. The padding extends at least partially beyond the stabilizing element, thereby bridging edge pressure points and preventing heat and / or moisture buildup.
[0021] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the stabilizing element is formed from a fiber composite material. The fiber composite material can be produced, for example, from sheets, from fibers with bonds and a matrix, or as an injection-molded part.
[0022] Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one of the straps has a stabilizing section comprising two parallel Velcro sections. Such a stabilizing section allows for a favorable adaptation to the contours of the foot.
[0023] It is advantageous if the stabilizing section has alternating welded and unwelded areas to create a stable shape. Depending on the longitudinal extent of the individual sections, a convex or concave shape can be provided.
[0024] The stabilizing section is advantageously located on the third ligament in the area of the outer edge of the foot, particularly in the region of the fifth metatarsal bone. This allows for a particularly suitable fit of the third ligament, and thus of the entire orthosis, to the foot and lower leg.
[0025] Further details and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the following description, which provides a more detailed description and explanation of an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0026] They show: Fig. 1. View of the medial malleolus of a human person wearing an ankle brace; Fig. 1a an enlarged cross-section through the stabilizing element of the ankle orthosis according to Fig. 1; Fig. 2 the ankle orthosis according to Fig. 1 View from a diagonal top; Fig. 3. View of the lateral malleolus of a human person wearing an ankle orthosis according to Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 an enlarged section of a reinforced portion of a ligament of the ankle orthosis according to the Fig. 1 to 3.
[0027] The ankle orthosis 10 shown in the figures has a medial stabilizing element 12 designed to be attached to the lower leg 16 around the medial malleolus 14 of a person. The stabilizing element 12 includes an upper section 18, which, when the ankle orthosis 10 is applied, is positioned above the medial malleolus 14. Furthermore, it has an anterior section 20 located anterior to the medial malleolus 14, a inferior section 22 located below the medial malleolus 14, and a posterior section 24 located posterior to the medial malleolus 14. The stabilizing element 12 itself is preferably made of a fiber-reinforced composite material adapted to the surface geometry of the area around the medial malleolus 14.
[0028] To increase wearing comfort, the stabilizing element 12 is provided with padding 26 on the side facing the lower leg 16. As can be seen from the cross-section through the stabilizing element 12 according to Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 1a, the padding 26 extends beyond the free edge 28 of the stabilizing element 12 by a dimension x. This increases the wearing comfort of the stabilizing element and prevents pressure points. Fig. Figure 1a also shows that the padding 26 is cut at an angle α of 45°. This also increases wearing comfort. Furthermore, a fabric panel 30 can be provided on the side facing the lower leg 16, which counteracts heat and moisture build-up.
[0029] As from Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 1, the stabilizing element 12 surrounds the medial malleolus 14 at an angle of approximately 270° and is open posteriorly and superiorly. The stabilizing element itself has the shape of an inverted question mark or an open "6".
[0030] A total of three straps 32, 34, 36 are provided for attaching the orthosis 10 to the lower leg 16. The first strap 32 is, as shown in Fig. As is clearly shown, the upper section 18 is attached. The upper section 18 has a slot-like recess 38 at its rear, to which an end section 40 of the band 32 is attached. The band 32 is designed such that, when the orthosis 10 is applied, it is guided circularly around the lower leg 16 above the ankle 14 to the upper section 18 and is attached there.
[0031] Velcro points 42, 44 and 46 are provided on the stabilizing element for attaching the straps 32, 34, 36.
[0032] As from Fig. As becomes clear in Figure 2, the free end section 50 of the band 32 is fastened to the Velcro point 42 and / or to the end section 40 of the band 32.
[0033] Out of Fig. Figure 1 further illustrates that the second strap 34 is attached to the posterior section 24 of the stabilizing element 12 by means of a rivet point 52. When the orthosis is applied, the second strap 34 initially runs posteriorly above the Achilles tendon 54 and then anteriorly above the lateral malleolus 56 over the dorsum of the foot 58 to the lower section 22 of the stabilizing element 12. The free end section 60 of the strap 34 is finally fastened to the hook-and-loop fastener point 46 and / or to the end section 62 of the strap 36 attached to the stabilizing element 12.
[0034] As from Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 1, the third band 36 with its end section 62 is attached in a slot-shaped receptacle 64 to the stabilizing element 12 in the lower section 22.
[0035] The image 64 is arranged essentially perpendicular to the image 38. The third ligament 36 runs downwards over the arch of the foot 66, and from the midfoot 17 laterally outwards.
[0036] According to the Fig. 2 and Fig. The strap 36 wraps around the midfoot 17 once and then continues diagonally across the instep 58 towards the upper section 18 of the stabilizing element 12. The free end section 68 is attached to the hook-and-loop fastener points 42, 44 and / or to or under the free end 50 of the strap 32. This allows the stabilizing element 12 to be positioned precisely and the ankle joint to be supported on the patient's lower leg or foot.
[0037] Unlike in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, it is conceivable that the third band 36 does not encircle the midfoot 17, but that the band 36, after being guided under the midfoot 17, runs laterally outwards and is then attached directly to the upper section 18 of the stabilizing element 12.
[0038] To ensure a particularly stable arrangement of the orthosis 10, it is conceivable that the strap 36 and / or the strap 34 have Velcro sections for mutual fastening in the area where the straps cross on the instep.
[0039] Bands 32, 34, and 36 are either not elastic or only minimally elastic. The bands can be made from a single piece or from several smaller sections. By providing multiple sections, which are connected, in particular, with hook-and-loop fasteners, the length of each band can be adjusted to suit specific needs.
[0040] As from Fig. As is clearly shown in Figure 3, the ligament 36 has a stabilizing section 70 in the area where it runs along the foot margin. The stabilizing section 70 is in Fig.Figure 4 shows an enlarged view. The stabilizing section 70 is formed by two parallel hook-and-loop fastener sections 72 and 74. The two hook-and-loop fastener sections 72 and 74 are welded together in sections 76. In sections 78, the hook-and-loop fastener sections 72 are not welded together. To create a stable shape, it is conceivable that the radially inner sides 80 are slightly shorter than the radially outer sides 82 of the hook-and-loop fastener sections 72 and 74, respectively. The stabilizing section 70 has mouth-like recesses 84 at its free ends, into which the respective strap or its end section can be inserted and fastened with hook-and-loop fasteners. By providing the stabilizing section 70, secure wear of the orthosis 10 and, in particular, a stable position of the strap 36 on the foot can be ensured.
Claims
[1] Ankle orthosis (10) with a medial stabilizing element (12) designed to fit against the lower leg and having an upper section (18) that fits above the medial malleolus (14), an anterior section (20) that fits in front of the medial malleolus (14), a lower section (22) that fits below the medial malleolus (14) and a posterior section (24) that fits behind the medial malleolus (14), such that the stabilizing element (12) is open posteriorly and upwards 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). [2] Ankle orthosis (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the third ligament (36), after running outwards under the midfoot (17), wraps around the midfoot (17) once and then continues diagonally over the instep (58) towards the upper section (18). [3] Ankle orthosis (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, 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 any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , 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 any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one band (32, 34, 36) and preferably all bands (32, 34, 36) are not elastic or substantially not elastic. [6] Ankle orthosis (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one band (32, 34, 36) and preferably all bands (32, 34, 36) are formed in one piece. [7] Ankle orthosis (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first band (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 any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , 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 any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the third band (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 any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the bands (32, 34, 36) in the areas where they cross provide hook and loop fastener sections for mutual attachment. [11] Ankle orthosis (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that on the side of the stabilizing element (12) facing the lower leg a padding (26) is provided which is cut at a 45° angle to the plane of the stabilizing element (12). [12] Ankle orthosis (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the stabilizing element (12) is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic. [13] Ankle orthosis (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one of the bands (32, 34, 36) has a stabilizing section (70) having two parallel Velcro sections (72, 74). [14] Ankle orthosis (10) according to claim 10, characterized by , 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 by , that the stabilizing section (70) is provided on the third band (36) in the area of the outer edge of the foot.