Ankle Foot Orthosis

Abstract

To provide a short leg orthosis capable of improving a pain and a disease state caused by gonarthrosis, by controlling excessive rotational motion during walking.SOLUTION: A short leg orthosis 1 comprises: a sole wearing part 2 to wear on the foot; and a lower leg wearing part 3 to wear on the lower leg. The sole wearing part 2 and the lower leg wearing part 3 are interconnected via a foot-inner-side connection part 4 and a foot-outer-side connection part 5 in such a way as plantarly and dorsally flexible. While the short leg orthosis 1 is worn on an affected leg, both of the sides of the foot are supported by the leg-outer-side lateral face part 23 and the leg-inner-side lateral face part 22 of the sole wearing part 2, and with a vertically downward load as a point of power, an orthodontic force to correct the alignment of the knee joint to a proper position can be applied from the lower-leg-outer-side lateral face part 31 of the lower leg wearing part 3 to the fibula.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ankle-foot brace, specifically to an ankle-foot brace that can control excessive rotational movement during walking and improve pain and pathology associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. [Background technology]

[0002] Osteoarthritis occurs when the function of the knee joint is reduced due to muscle weakness, aging, obesity, etc., causing wear and tear of the knee cartilage, loosening of the meniscus, deformation, tear, and excess retention of synovial fluid due to inflammation. When the knee joint is subjected to stress such as lateral slippage, it causes severe pain.

[0003] As osteoarthritis of the knee progresses, it can cause varus deformation due to joint destruction, which can lead to the genu varum, commonly known as bowlegs. Genu varum, along with genu valgus, commonly known as knock-knees, is also considered to be one of the causes of osteoarthritis of the knee, and is closely related to osteoarthritis of the knee.

[0004] As a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee, for example, surgical therapy has been proposed in which the knee joint is amputated and replaced with a metal artificial joint. However, surgical therapy is expensive, and as bones become brittle with age, the balance of strength between the bones and the metal is lost, so the service life is said to be about 10 years, and there is a problem that reoperation is required after the service life has elapsed.

[0005] On the other hand, conservative treatment involves using knee supports or ankle braces to ease the pain of walking, and strengthening the muscles by walking regularly every day.As this is a long-term treatment, it requires the patient's physical strength and perseverance, but it does not cause the problems that are specific to surgical treatment.

[0006] One well-known type of knee joint support is a support that is integrated with a belt for wrapping around it. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a belt-integrated support for wearing around the knee joint of an affected leg. The belt-integrated knee joint support has the advantage that the wrapping pressure can be freely adjusted and it can be worn while wearing shoes.

[0007] Patent Document 2 also discloses an insole for osteoarthritis of the knee, which is a supporter to be worn on the affected foot and includes an elastic belt that is wrapped around the ankle and an elastic body that can be attached and detached to the elastic belt, with the thickness of the elastic body gradually decreasing from the eversion side to the inversion side.

[0008] According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, the thickness of the insole on the eversion side is made thicker than that on the inversion side (in the case of bow leg correction), so that when standing or walking with the insole on, the load on the knee can be evenly distributed. As a result, uneven wear of the sole is reduced, and good walking posture can be maintained for a long time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-197654 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-66324 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The belt-integrated supporter disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 can realize the ease of putting on and taking off and the flexibility of adjusting the wrapping pressure, but due to the weight of the belt and the supporter body, if the supporter is worn and exercised for a long time, the supporter may slip off, and the corrective effect of the supporter may not be obtained. In addition, recent research has reported that while wearing a supporter has the effect of reducing pain, it has little effect on improving the alignment of the joint axis or improving motor function.

[0011] In this regard, the insole disclosed in Patent Document 2 has the advantage that it is difficult to slip even if the insole is worn for a long time because the elastic band is wrapped around the ankle and fixed. However, the compression correction force on the knee is weak when only correcting from the sole, and although it has some effect of relieving mainly pain among the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee like the supporter disclosed in Patent Document 1, the effect of improving the alignment of the joint axis is still not at a clinically satisfactory level.

[0012] The present invention has been devised in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a short leg brace that can control excessive rotational movement during walking and improve pain and pathology associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the short leg brace of the present invention comprises a foot placement section on which the sole of the affected foot is placed, an inner side surface section extending from the foot placement section and contacting a predetermined area of ​​the affected foot from the medial longitudinal arch to just below the medial malleolus, and an outer side surface section extending from the foot placement section and contacting a predetermined area of ​​the affected foot from the lateral longitudinal arch to just below the lateral malleolus, an outer side surface section of the lower leg contacting an area from just above the lateral malleolus to just below the capitellum of the fibula, an inner side surface section of the lower leg contacting an area from just above the medial malleolus to approximately the center of the tibia in the height direction, and a sole attachment section having a foot placement section on which the sole of the affected foot is placed, the .... The device is provided with a lower leg attachment part having a dorsal part of the lower leg that abuts in the range up to just below the large diameter, a belt body that crosses a predetermined position of the tibial shaft on the front side of the affected foot and connects the medial surface part of the lower leg and the lateral surface part of the lower leg, an inner foot connecting part having one side connected to the medial surface part of the foot of the sole attachment part and the other side connected to the medial surface part of the lower leg of the lower leg attachment part, and having a rotation axis at a position approximately corresponding to the medial malleolus, and an outer foot connecting part having one side connected to the lateral surface part of the foot of the sole attachment part and the other side connected to the lateral surface part of the lower leg of the lower leg attachment part, and having a rotation axis at a position approximately corresponding to the lateral malleolus.

[0014] Here, the short lower limb orthosis is equipped with a sole attachment part having a foot placement part on which the sole of the affected foot is placed, an inner side surface part that stands up from the foot placement part and abuts a specified area from the inner longitudinal arch of the affected foot to just below the medial malleolus, and an outer side surface part that stands up from the foot placement part and abuts a specified area from the lateral longitudinal arch of the affected foot to just below the lateral malleolus.Since when the affected foot is placed on the foot placement part of the sole attachment part, both sides of the foot are supported by the inner side surface part or the outer side surface part, it is possible to induce appropriate plantar flexion movement in the affected foot wearing the short lower limb orthosis.

[0015] Furthermore, by providing a lower leg attachment portion that contacts a specified area of ​​the lower leg of the affected leg, a corrective force can be applied to the lower leg to correct the alignment of the knee joint to an appropriate position.

[0016] In addition, the lower leg attachment section has an outer surface portion of the lower leg that contacts the area from just above the lateral malleolus to just below the capitellum of the fibula, thereby applying a corrective force to the inside of the lower leg against the fibula, thereby suppressing the inversion force acting on the knee joint, correcting the symptoms of bowlegs, and correcting the alignment of the knee joint to the appropriate position.

[0017] In addition, the lower leg attachment part is provided with an inner crus part that abuts in the range from just above the medial malleolus to approximately the center in the height direction of the tibia, so that the corrective force acting from the outer crus part to the inside of the lower leg can be received by the inner crus part. At this time, by setting the height position of the inner crus part to a height approximately near the center in the height direction of the tibia, the alignment of the knee joint can be corrected to an appropriate position while supporting the tibia with the upper end of the inner crus part.

[0018] In addition, by having a back portion of the lower leg that contacts the area from approximately the center of the Achilles tendon to just below the maximum diameter of the calf, compression of the calf is prevented and the corrective force acting on the knee joint from the outer surface of the lower leg can be released to the inside of the lower leg.

[0019] In addition, by providing a belt member that crosses a predetermined position of the tibia shaft on the front side of the affected foot and connects the medial side part of the lower leg and the lateral side part of the lower leg, it is possible to suppress the internal and external rotation of the knee joint, thereby relieving pain during walking and improving the correction effect of the knee joint. Furthermore, the belt member can increase the adhesion of the ankle foot orthosis to the affected foot, preventing the ankle foot orthosis from slipping off during walking.

[0020] In addition, by providing an inner foot connection part connected to the sole attachment part on one side and the lower leg attachment part on the other side, respectively, and having a rotation axis at a position approximately corresponding to the medial malleolus, and an outer foot connection part connected to the sole attachment part on one side and the lower leg attachment part on the other side, respectively, and having a rotation axis at a position approximately corresponding to the lateral malleolus, the sole attachment part and the lower leg attachment part can be connected by the inner foot connection part and the outer foot connection part. In this case, since the rotation axes of the inner foot connection part and the outer foot connection part are located at positions approximately corresponding to the medial malleolus and lateral malleolus of the affected foot, respectively, the supination and pronation of the affected foot are not hindered, and smooth plantar flexion and dorsiflexion can be achieved.

[0021] With the above-mentioned configuration, when standing or walking while wearing the short leg brace, a load is applied vertically downward from the affected foot to the foot placement section, and when the load is applied with the force point, the inner surface of the foot, and the periphery of the outer surface of the foot as the fulcrum, a corrective force directed inwardly can be applied to the joint using the principle of leverage as the point of action at the outer surface of the lower leg of the lower leg attachment section.

[0022] In order to achieve the above object, the short leg brace of the present invention comprises a foot placement section on which the sole of the affected foot is placed, an inner side surface section extending from the foot placement section and contacting a predetermined area of ​​the affected foot from the medial longitudinal arch to just below the medial malleolus, and an outer side surface section extending from the foot placement section and contacting a predetermined area of ​​the affected foot from the lateral longitudinal arch to just below the lateral malleolus, an inner side surface section of the lower leg contacting an area from just above the medial malleolus to the proximal end of the tibia, an outer side surface section of the lower leg contacting an area from just above the lateral malleolus to approximately the center in the height direction of the fibula, and a sole attachment section having a foot placement section on which the sole of the affected foot is placed, the inner side surface section of the lower leg contacting an area from just above the medial malleolus to the proximal end of the tibia, an outer side surface section of the lower leg contacting an area from approximately the center of the Achilles tendon to the maximum height of the calf. the inner foot connecting part having a rotation axis located approximately corresponding to the medial malleolus, one side of which is connected to the inner foot surface part of the sole attachment part and the other side of which is connected to the inner leg surface part of the crus attachment part, and a rotation axis located approximately corresponding to the medial malleolus, and an outer foot connecting part having a rotation axis located approximately corresponding to the lateral malleolus, one side of which is connected to the outer foot surface part of the sole attachment part and the other side of which is connected to the outer leg surface part of the crus attachment part, and

[0023] Here, the short lower limb orthosis is equipped with a sole attachment part having a foot placement part on which the sole of the affected foot is placed, an inner side surface part that stands up from the foot placement part and abuts a specified area from the inner longitudinal arch of the affected foot to just below the medial malleolus, and an outer side surface part that stands up from the foot placement part and abuts a specified area from the lateral longitudinal arch of the affected foot to just below the lateral malleolus.Since when the affected foot is placed on the foot placement part of the sole attachment part, both sides of the foot are supported by the inner side surface part or the outer side surface part, it is possible to induce appropriate plantar flexion movement in the affected foot wearing the short lower limb orthosis.

[0024] In addition, by providing a lower leg attachment portion that contacts a specified area of ​​the affected lower leg, a corrective force can be applied to the lower leg to correct the alignment of the knee joint to an appropriate position.

[0025] In addition, the lower leg attachment part has an inner surface part of the lower leg that abuts the area from just above the medial malleolus to the proximal end of the tibia, and by applying a corrective force to the outside of the lower leg against the tibia, the valgus force acting on the knee joint is suppressed, correcting the symptoms of bowed legs and correcting the alignment of the knee joint to the appropriate position.

[0026] In addition, by providing an outer crus part that contacts the area from just above the lateral malleolus to approximately the center of the fibula in the height direction, the outer crus part can receive the corrective force acting from the inner crus part to the outside of the crus. In this case, by setting the height position of the outer crus part to approximately the center of the fibula in the height direction, the alignment of the knee joint can be corrected to an appropriate position while supporting the fibula with the upper end of the outer crus part.

[0027] In addition, by having a dorsal portion of the lower leg that contacts the area from approximately the center of the Achilles tendon to just below the maximum diameter of the calf, compression of the calf is prevented and the corrective force acting on the knee joint from the inner surface of the lower leg can be released to the outside of the lower leg.

[0028] In addition, by providing a belt member that crosses a predetermined position of the tibia shaft on the front side of the affected foot and connects the medial side part of the lower leg and the lateral side part of the lower leg, it is possible to suppress the internal and external rotation of the knee joint, thereby relieving pain during walking and improving the correction effect of the knee joint. Furthermore, the belt member can increase the adhesion of the ankle foot orthosis to the affected foot, preventing the ankle foot orthosis from slipping off during walking.

[0029] In addition, by providing an inner foot connection part connected to the sole attachment part on one side and the lower leg attachment part on the other side, respectively, and having a rotation axis at a position approximately corresponding to the medial malleolus, and an outer foot connection part connected to the sole attachment part on one side and the lower leg attachment part on the other side, respectively, and having a rotation axis at a position approximately corresponding to the lateral malleolus, the sole attachment part and the lower leg attachment part can be connected by the inner foot connection part and the outer foot connection part. In this case, since the rotation axes of the inner foot connection part and the outer foot connection part are located at positions approximately corresponding to the medial malleolus and lateral malleolus of the affected foot, respectively, the supination and pronation of the affected foot are not hindered, and smooth plantar flexion and dorsiflexion can be achieved.

[0030] In addition, when one end of the belt body is fixed to the upper end of the inner surface of the lower leg and the other end of the belt body is inserted into a holder portion fixed to the upper end of the outer surface of the lower leg, and the belt body is engaged in a freely detachable manner at a position that can be adjusted to any length, the corrective force applied from the inner surface of the lower leg of the lower leg attachment portion to the outer side of the lower leg can be adjusted by changing the length of the belt body as desired.

[0031] Furthermore, if the surface of the lower leg attachment part has a convexly curved corrugation formed over the outer side part of the lower leg, the back part of the lower leg, and the inner side part of the lower leg, the rigidity of the lower leg attachment part can be increased, and therefore, even if an external force is applied to the lower leg attachment part, deformation or damage to the lower leg attachment part can be prevented.

[0032] In addition, the inner foot connection part includes a first inner foot connection part having one side connected to the inner surface of the foot of the sole attachment part, and a second inner foot connection part having one side connected to the inner surface of the lower leg attachment part, and when the other side facing one side of the first inner foot connection part and the other side facing one side of the second inner foot connection part are fastened by the fastening part at a position approximately corresponding to the medial malleolus, the rotation axis of the first inner foot connection part and the second inner foot connection part is located at a position approximately corresponding to the medial malleolus of the affected foot, so that the supination and pronation actions of the affected foot are not hindered and smooth plantar flexion and dorsiflexion can be achieved.

[0033] In addition, the lateral foot connecting part includes a first lateral foot connecting part having one side connected to the lateral surface of the foot of the sole attachment part, and a second lateral foot connecting part having one side connected to the lateral surface of the lower leg attachment part, and when the other side facing one side of the first lateral foot connecting part and the other side facing one side of the second lateral foot connecting part are fastened by the fastening part at a position approximately corresponding to the lateral malleolus, the rotation axis of the first lateral foot connecting part and the second lateral foot connecting part is located at a position approximately corresponding to the lateral malleolus of the affected foot, so that the supination and pronation actions of the affected foot are not hindered and smooth plantar flexion and dorsiflexion can be achieved. Effect of the Invention

[0034] The short leg brace according to the present invention is capable of controlling excessive rotational movement during walking, thereby improving pain and pathology associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a lower leg brace according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a lower leg brace according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a lower leg brace according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of a connecting portion of the ankle foot orthosis according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing force components acting on an affected leg when the short leg orthosis according to the first embodiment of the present invention is worn. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a front view of a lower leg brace according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing force components acting on an affected leg when an ankle foot orthosis according to a second embodiment of the present invention is worn. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention related to an ankle-foot orthosis will be described with reference to the drawings to facilitate understanding of the present invention. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, when the ankle-foot orthosis is attached to the affected leg of a patient, the direction from the foot to the lower leg is defined as the upward direction, the opposite direction to the upward direction is defined as the downward direction, the axial direction represented by the upward and downward directions is defined as the vertical axis, and the axial direction perpendicular to the vertical axis is defined as the horizontal axis. For convenience of explanation, the following description will be directed to an ankle-foot orthosis for the right foot.

[0037] [First embodiment] First, the overall configuration of an ankle foot brace 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. The ankle foot brace 1 according to the first embodiment is intended to correct bow legs, and is mainly composed of a sole attachment part 2, a lower leg attachment part 3, an inner foot connection part 4, and an outer foot connection part 5.

[0038] The sole attachment part 2 is composed of a foot placement part 21 on which the sole of the affected foot is placed, an inner side part 22 which stands vertically upward from the inner side of the foot of the foot placement part 21 and abuts a specified area from the inner longitudinal arch of the affected foot to just below the medial malleolus, and an outer side part 23 which stands vertically upward from the outer side of the foot of the foot placement part 21 and abuts a specified area from the lateral longitudinal arch of the affected foot to just below the lateral malleolus.

[0039] A first inner foot recess 24 is formed at the upper end of the inner foot surface portion 22, into which a first inner foot connecting portion 41, which is part of the inner foot connecting portion 4, is inserted, and a first outer foot recess 25 is formed at the upper end of the outer foot surface portion 23, into which a first outer foot connecting portion 5, which is part of the outer foot connecting portion 5, is inserted.

[0040] One end of a foot belt body 26 is fixed to the outer foot surface portion 23 for fixing the foot of the affected foot to the foot placement portion 21 with the affected foot placed on the foot placement portion 21. The foot belt body 26 is a flexible member having a predetermined width and length, and the other end of the foot belt body 26 is folded back with the foot holder portion 27 fixed to the inner foot surface portion 22 engaged therewith, and fixed at a desired position by a fixing means such as a hook-and-loop fastener, thereby firmly fixing the foot of the affected foot to the foot placement portion 21.

[0041] Here, it is not necessarily required to have the foot belt body 26. However, since the foot belt body 26 fixes the instep side of the foot, it is possible to prevent the ankle-foot orthosis 1 from slipping during walking and ensure the corrective force of the ankle-foot orthosis 1 for a long period of time.

[0042] The lower leg attachment part 3 is a rear support type with an open front part, and is integrally formed with a lower leg lateral side part 31 that contacts the outside of the lower leg and the area along the fibula from just above the lateral malleolus to just below the fibular capitellum, a lower leg medial side part 32 that contacts the inside of the lower leg and the area along the tibia from just above the medial malleolus to approximately the center of the tibia in the height direction, and a lower leg back part 33 that contacts the area from approximately the center of the Achilles tendon to just below the maximum diameter of the calf. In addition, on the surface of the lower leg attachment part 3, a corrugation 34 that is curved convexly in the vertical direction is formed so as to cross the lower leg lateral side part 31, the lower leg back part 33, and the lower leg medial side part 32.

[0043] In addition, since compression of the capitellum can cause peroneal nerve paralysis, the height of the lateral surface portion 31 of the lower leg is adjusted so that the upper end of the capitellum is abutted directly below the capitellum, specifically approximately 3 cm below the capitellum.

[0044] Here, it is not necessary that the corrugations 34 are formed on the surface of the lower leg attachment part 3. However, by forming the corrugations, the overall rigidity of the lower leg attachment part 3 can be increased, and therefore, damage to the lower leg attachment part 3 due to external forces can be prevented.

[0045] A second inner foot recess 35 is provided at the lower end of the inner leg surface portion 32 of the lower leg attachment portion 3, into which a second inner foot connecting portion 42 which is part of the inner foot connecting portion 4 and faces the first inner foot connecting portion 41 is inserted, and a second outer foot recess 36 is provided at the lower end of the outer leg surface portion 31 of the lower leg attachment portion 3, into which a second outer foot connecting portion 5 which is part of the outer foot connecting portion and faces the first outer foot connecting portion 5 is inserted.

[0046] One end of a lower leg belt body 37 for fixing the lower leg of the affected foot to the lower leg attachment part 3 with the lower leg attachment part 3 attached to the affected foot is fixed to the outer lower leg surface part 31. The lower leg belt body 37 is a flexible member having a predetermined width and length, similar to the foot belt body 26 described above, and the other end of the lower leg belt body 37 is engaged with a lower leg holder part 38 fixed to the inner lower leg surface part 32 and fixed at any position by a fixing means such as a hook-and-loop fastener, thereby firmly fixing the lower leg of the affected foot to the lower leg attachment part 3.

[0047] Of the inner foot connector 4 composed of the first inner foot connector 41 and the second inner foot connector 42, the first inner foot connector 41 is inserted into the first inner foot recess 24 as described above, and one end is fixed to the upper end of the inner side of the foot of the sole attachment part 2. The second inner foot connector 42 is inserted into the second inner foot recess 35, and one end is fixed to the lower side of the inner thigh part 32 of the lower thigh attachment part 3. The other ends of the first inner foot connector 41 and the second inner foot connector 42 are rotatably supported by the fastening part 6.

[0048] Of the foot outer connecting part 5 consisting of the first foot outer connecting part 51 and the second foot outer connecting part 52, the first foot outer connecting part 51 is inserted into the first foot outer recess 25, and one end is fixed to the upper end part of the lateral side of the foot of the sole attachment part 2. The second foot outer connecting part 52 is inserted into the second foot outer recess 36, and one end is fixed to the lower part of the lateral side of the foot of the lower leg attachment part 3. The other ends of the first foot outer connecting part 51 and the second foot outer connecting part 52 are rotatably supported by the fastening part 6.

[0049] 2, the first inner foot connector 41 and the second inner foot connector 42 have a rotation axis r1 at a position that corresponds approximately to the end of the medial malleolus of the affected foot, and the first outer foot connector 51 and the second outer foot connector 52 have a rotation axis r2 at a position that corresponds approximately to the end of the lateral malleolus of the affected foot. In this case, the imaginary line L connecting the rotation axis r1 and the rotation axis r2 has an inclination angle of approximately 8 to 13 degrees with respect to the horizontal axis H.

[0050] Here, it is not necessary to provide the rotation axes r1 and r2 at positions that substantially correspond to the end points of the medial and lateral malleoli. However, by providing the rotation axes r1 and r2 at positions that substantially correspond to the end points of the medial and lateral malleoli, the movement of the ankle foot orthosis 1 can be made closer to the movement of the affected foot, so that the supination and pronation of the affected foot are not hindered and smooth plantar flexion and dorsiflexion can be realized.

[0051] Next, the detailed structures of the inner foot connector 4 and the outer foot connector 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Since the inner foot connector 4 and the outer foot connector 5 have the same structure, for convenience of explanation, the description will be based on the outer foot connector 5.

[0052] 4(a), a first outer foot step 511 is formed at the other end of the first outer foot connection 51 constituting the outer foot connection 5, and a second outer foot step is formed at the other end of the second outer foot connection 52. The first outer foot step 511 and the second outer foot step 521 are fitted together with no gaps so that the first outer foot connection 51 and the second outer foot connection 52 are alternately interlocked to form the same plane, and are supported by the fastening part 6. At this time, the joint surfaces of the first outer foot step 511 and the second outer foot step 521 are formed as inclined surfaces inclined at the same gradient.

[0053] Here, it is not necessary that the first foot outer step portion 511 and the second foot outer step portion 521 are fitted together by a concave-convex fit. For example, the other ends of the first foot outer step portion 511 and the second foot outer step portion 521 may not be fitted together by a concave-convex fit, but may be pivotally supported by the fastening portion 6. However, since the fastening between the first foot outer step portion 511 and the second foot outer step portion 521 is made stronger by the concave-convex fit, it is preferable to employ a concave-convex fit structure.

[0054] Furthermore, the first outer foot step 511 and the second outer foot step 521 do not necessarily need to be fitted together so that the first outer foot connection 51 and the second outer foot connection 52 form the same plane. However, by fitting the first outer foot connection 51 and the second outer foot connection 52 together so that they form the same plane, the outer foot connection 5 can be installed in a small space.

[0055] Furthermore, it is not necessary that the joint surfaces formed by the recess and projection engagement of the first foot outer step portion 511 and the second foot outer step portion 521 have an inclined surface with the same gradient. However, since the recess and projection engagement makes the fastening of the first foot outer step portion 511 and the second foot outer step portion 521 stronger, it is preferable that the joint surfaces formed by the recess and projection engagement have an inclined surface.

[0056] The first foot outer connecting part 51 and the second foot outer connecting part 52, which are fitted together by projection and recess, are pivotally supported so as to be able to swing by the fastening part 6. Specifically, with the first foot outer step part 511 and the second foot outer step part 521 fitted together by projection and recess, a mounting hole 512 formed in the first foot outer convex part 511 and a mounting hole 522 formed in the second foot outer convex part 521 are overlapped, and fixed by inserting a bolt 61a and a nut 62.

[0057] The bolt 61a has a flat head screw and a hexagonal hole that can be turned with a hexagonal wrench, and the male thread is formed with a pitch of, for example, about 0.5 mm.

[0058] The nut 62 has a flat disk-shaped head, and on the back surface of the head, a female thread is provided on the inner diameter into which the male thread of the bolt 61a can be screwed, and the nut 62 has a protruding column portion 621 whose outer shape is approximately rectangular in cross section.

[0059] As a specific mounting method of this fastening portion 6, with mounting hole 512 and mounting hole 522 overlapping, bolt 61a is inserted into mounting hole 512 and mounting hole 522 from one side surface. Also, protruding column portion 621 of nut 62 is inserted into mounting hole 512 and mounting hole 522 from the other side surface, and the male thread of bolt 61a is screwed into the female thread of nut 62 to be fastened and fixed.

[0060] After the first outer foot connecting part 51 and the second outer foot connecting part 52 are fastened together by the fastening part 6, the outer foot connecting part 5 is fixed non-rotatably to the sole attachment part 2 and the lower leg attachment part 3 by the bolts 61b and 61c, as shown in Figure 4(b).

[0061] Next, the operation of the ankle foot orthosis 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, for example, when no weight is being applied (when the user is lying down with the ankle foot orthosis 1 attached to the affected foot), the foot lateral side surface portion 23 and the foot medial side surface portion 22 of the sole attachment portion 2 are in contact with both sides of the foot of the affected foot, and the contact force from the foot medial side surface portion 22 and the foot lateral side surface portion 23 acts on both sides of the foot as a supporting force. In addition, the calf medial side surface portion 32 is in contact with the inside of the lower leg of the affected foot, and the supporting force from the calf medial side surface portion 32 acts on the tibia of the lower leg as a supporting force.

[0062] Then, when a corrective force toward the inside of the affected leg acts from the lateral surface part 31 of the lower leg on the muscle on the outside of the fibula while the foot and the tibia are supported, the pressure from the outside to the inside pushes the fibula inward. Furthermore, by pushing the tibia inward, the gap on the outside of the joint, which is the cause of bowlegs, improves and the alignment of the knee joint can be corrected to the proper position (inward). At this time, by adjusting the lower leg belt body 37, it is possible to appropriately adjust the corrective force from the lateral surface part 31 of the lower leg.

[0063] When the user is standing (or walking), the contact forces from the medial side surface portion 22 and the lateral side surface portion 23 act as supporting forces on both sides of the affected foot, just as when no weight is being applied, and the contact force from the medial side surface portion 32 of the lower leg acts as supporting force on the tibia, which is the inside of the lower leg of the affected foot. Furthermore, a corrective force from the lateral side surface portion 31 of the lower leg acts on the fibula toward the inside of the affected foot.

[0064] At this time, a load acts vertically downward on the foot placement portion 21; if this load is used as the force point and the area around the inner surface portion 22 of the sole attachment portion 2 and the outer surface portion 23 of the foot are used as the fulcrum, then, according to the principle of leverage, a corrective force from the outer surface portion 31 of the lower leg becomes the point of action, and a stronger corrective force acts directly below the capitellum of the fibula compared to when no load is applied (the load is greater when walking compared to when standing, so a greater corrective force is applied), thereby improving the joint gap that causes bowed legs and correcting the alignment of the knee joint to the proper position.

[0065] In addition, in the case of bowed legs, the knee joint rotates excessively inward and outward when walking, causing increased pain; however, the lower leg belt body 37 suppresses the inward and outward rotation of the knee joint when walking, thereby suppressing pain when walking and alleviating the symptoms of bowed legs.

[0066] <Second embodiment> Next, a description will be given of an ankle foot brace according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the overlapping descriptions will be omitted. As in the first embodiment, the description will be given of an ankle foot brace for the right foot.

[0067] The short leg brace 1a according to the second embodiment is intended to correct bow legs, and differs from the short leg brace 1 according to the first embodiment mainly in the configuration of the lower leg attachment part 3a. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, the lower leg attachment part 3a is a rear support type with an open front part, and is integrally formed with a lower leg lateral side part 31a that is in contact with the area along the fibula from just above the lateral malleolus to approximately the center height of the fibula on the outside of the lower leg, a lower leg medial side part 32a that is in contact with the area along the tibia from just above the medial malleolus to the proximal end of the tibia on the inside of the lower leg, and a lower leg dorsal part 33a that is in contact with the area from approximately the center of the Achilles tendon to just below the maximum diameter of the calf.

[0068] One end of a lower leg belt body 37a is fixed to the upper end of the inner leg part 32a for fixing the lower leg of the affected leg to the lower leg attachment part 3a with the lower leg attachment part 3a attached to the affected leg. The lower leg belt body 37a is a flexible member having a predetermined width and length, as in the first embodiment, and the other end of the lower leg belt body 37a is engaged with the lower leg holder part 38a fixed to the outer leg part 31a and fixed at any position by a fixing means such as a hook-and-loop fastener, thereby firmly fixing the lower leg of the affected leg to the lower leg attachment part 3a.

[0069] Next, the operation of the ankle foot brace 1a according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Fig. 7, for example, when no weight is being applied (when the user is lying down with the ankle foot brace 1a attached to the affected foot), the medial side surface portion 22 and the lateral side surface portion 23 of the sole attachment portion 2 are in contact with both sides of the foot of the affected foot, and the contact force from the medial side surface portion 22 and the lateral side surface portion 23 acts on both sides of the foot as a supporting force. In addition, the lateral side surface portion 31a of the lower leg of the affected foot is in contact with the lateral side of the lower leg, and the supporting force from the lateral side surface portion 31a of the lower leg acts on the tibia of the lower leg as a supporting force.

[0070] Then, when the foot and fibula are supported, a corrective force from the inner crus 32a acts on the muscles on the outside of the tibia, pushing the tibia outward. Furthermore, the fibula is also pushed outward, improving the gap on the inside of the joint, which is the cause of bowed legs, and correcting the alignment of the knee joint to the proper position (outward). At this time, the corrective force from the inner crus 32a can be appropriately adjusted by adjusting the lower leg belt body 37a.

[0071] When the user is standing, the abutment force from the lateral side surface 23 and medial side surface 22 acts as a supporting force on both sides of the affected foot, as in the case of no weight bearing, and the abutment force from the lateral side surface 31a of the lower leg acts as a supporting force on the fibula, which is the outside of the lower leg of the affected foot. Furthermore, the corrective force from the medial side surface 32a of the lower leg acts on the tibia toward the outside of the affected foot.

[0072] At this time, a load is applied vertically downward to the foot placement portion 21, and if this load is used as the force point and the periphery of the medial side surface portion 22 of the sole attachment portion 2 and the lateral side surface portion 23 of the foot are used as the fulcrum, the corrective force from the medial side surface portion 32a of the lower leg becomes the point of application due to the principle of leverage, and a stronger corrective force is applied to the proximal end of the tibia compared to when no load is applied (the load is greater when walking compared to when standing, so a greater corrective force is applied), so that the joint gap that causes bowed legs is improved and the alignment of the knee joint can be corrected to the proper position.

[0073] In addition, in the case of bowed legs, the knee joint rotates excessively inward and outward when walking, causing increased pain; however, the lower leg belt body 37a suppresses the inward and outward rotation of the knee joint when walking, thereby suppressing pain when walking and alleviating the symptoms of bowed legs.

[0074] As described above, the short leg brace to which the present invention is applied can control excessive rotational movement during walking, thereby improving the pain and pathology associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1, 1a Ankle Foot Orthosis 2. Sole attachment part 21 Foot rest 22 Medial side of foot 23 Lateral aspect of foot 24 First inner foot recess 25 First foot outer recess 26 Foot belt body 27 Foot holder 3, 3a Lower leg attachment part 31, 31a: Outer surface of lower leg 32, 32a Inner lateral part of lower leg 33 Lower leg back 34 Corrugation 35 Second foot recess 36 Second foot lateral recess 37, 37a Lower leg belt body 38 Lower leg holder 4 Inner leg joint 41 First inner leg joint 42 Second inner leg joint 5. Outer leg joint 51 First outer leg connection part 511 First outer leg step 512 Mounting hole 52 Second outer leg joint 521 Second outer leg step 522 Mounting hole 6 Fastening Part 61a, 61b, 61c Bolts 62 Nut 621 Convex column part r1, r2 rotation axis

Claims

1. a sole attachment part having a foot placement part on which the sole of the affected foot is placed, an inner side part extending from the foot placement part and contacting a predetermined area of ​​the affected foot from the inner longitudinal arch to just below the medial malleolus, and an outer side part extending from the foot placement part and contacting a predetermined area of ​​the affected foot from the outer longitudinal arch to just below the lateral malleolus; a lower leg attachment part having an outer side part of the lower leg that contacts the area from just above the lateral malleolus to just below the capitellum of the fibula, an inner side part of the lower leg that contacts the area from just above the medial malleolus to approximately the center in the height direction of the tibia, and a dorsal part of the lower leg that contacts the area from approximately the center of the Achilles tendon to just below the maximum diameter of the calf, and a convexly curved corrugation is formed on the outer side part of the lower leg, the dorsal part of the lower leg, and the inner side part of the lower leg; a belt body that crosses a predetermined position of the tibial shaft on the front side of the affected foot and connects the medial side part of the lower leg and the lateral side part of the lower leg; An inner foot connection part having a rotation axis at a position approximately corresponding to the medial malleolus, the inner foot connection part having one side connected to the inner foot surface part of the sole attachment part and the other side connected to the inner calf surface part of the calf attachment part; a foot lateral connection part having a rotation axis at a position substantially corresponding to the lateral malleolus, the foot lateral connection part being connected at one side to the lateral side surface of the sole attachment part and the lateral side surface of the lower leg attachment part at the other side; Short leg brace.

2. a sole attachment part having a foot placement part on which the sole of the affected foot is placed, an inner side part extending from the foot placement part and contacting a predetermined area of ​​the affected foot from the inner longitudinal arch to just below the medial malleolus, and an outer side part extending from the foot placement part and contacting a predetermined area of ​​the affected foot from the outer longitudinal arch to just below the lateral malleolus; a lower leg attachment part having an inner crus part that contacts the area from just above the medial malleolus to the proximal end of the tibia, an outer crus part that contacts the area from just above the lateral malleolus to approximately the center in the height direction of the fibula, and a lower leg back part that contacts the area from approximately the center of the Achilles tendon to just below the maximum diameter of the calf, and a convexly curved corrugation is formed on the outer crus part, the back part of the lower leg, and the inner crus part; a belt body that crosses a predetermined position of the tibial shaft on the front side of the affected foot and connects the medial side part of the lower leg and the lateral side part of the lower leg; An inner foot connection part having a rotation axis at a position approximately corresponding to the medial malleolus, the inner foot connection part having one side connected to the inner foot surface part of the sole attachment part and the other side connected to the inner calf surface part of the calf attachment part; a foot lateral connection part having a rotation axis at a position substantially corresponding to the lateral malleolus, the foot lateral connection part being connected at one side to the lateral side surface of the sole attachment part and the lateral side surface of the lower leg attachment part at the other side; Short leg brace.

3. One end of the belt body is fixed to the upper end of the outer side surface of the lower leg, and the other end of the belt body is inserted into a holder part fixed to the upper end of the inner side surface of the lower leg, and the belt body is detachably engaged at a position where the length of the belt body can be adjusted to any desired length. The ankle foot orthosis according to claim 1.

4. One end of the belt body is fixed to the upper end of the inner lateral surface of the lower leg, and the other end of the belt body is inserted into a holder part fixed to the upper end of the outer lateral surface of the lower leg, and the belt body is detachably engaged at a position where the length of the belt body can be adjusted to any desired length. The ankle foot orthosis according to claim 2.

5. The inner foot connection portion is The first inner foot connector has one side connected to the inner side surface of the sole attachment part, and the second inner foot connector has one side connected to the inner side surface of the lower leg attachment part, and the other side facing the one side of the first inner foot connector and the other side facing the one side of the second inner foot connector are fastened by a fastening part with a position that corresponds approximately to the medial malleolus as a rotation axis. The outer foot connection portion is The device includes a first outer foot connection part having one side connected to the outer side of the foot of the sole attachment part, and a second outer foot connection part having one side connected to the outer side of the lower leg of the lower leg attachment part, and the other side facing the one side of the first outer foot connection part and the other side facing the one side of the second outer foot connection part are fastened by a fastening part with a position substantially corresponding to the lateral malleolus as a rotation axis. The short leg orthosis according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The imaginary line connecting the rotation axis of the inner foot joint and the rotation axis of the outer foot joint has an inclination angle of about 8 to 13 degrees with respect to the horizontal axis. The ankle foot orthosis according to claim 5.

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