Thumb orthosis

Abstract

To provide a thumb device in which the basic action of hand, finger and wrist-joint for gripping an object, etc., is not obstructed, and a thumb can be fixed in a good limb position.SOLUTION: A thumb device 1 includes at least a main body 2 for covering at least a thenar and a thumb first metacarpal bone, a thenar pad 31 for pressing the thenar, and a thenar belt 4 fixed in the main body and pressing the thenar pad. The thumb device may include a metacarpal bone stay 51 at the position corresponding to the thumb first metacarpal bone of the main body. Also, the thumb device may include a winding belt 6 with one end fixed to the main body and being wound at an upper part from a wrist so as not to cover the wrist.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thumb appliance.

Background Art

[0002] Deformative arthritis of the hand is a disease in which swelling and pain occur in the joint area due to aging and wear of articular cartilage caused by overuse of the hand and aging. As one of the deformative arthritis of the hand, there is thumb carpometacarpal (CM) joint disease in which swelling and pain occur in the CM joint (the third joint from the fingertip, the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint). Thumb CM joint disease is particularly common in middle-aged and elderly women, and strong pain occurs in the joint due to the movement of the thumb when grasping an object or writing.

[0003] For the treatment and / or prevention of thumb CM joint disease, various appliances for restricting the movement of the thumb CM joint have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a thumb joint appliance comprising a thumb cap that wraps the thumb from near its MP joint to a position beyond the CM joint with the tip exposed, and a belt that fixes the thumb cap by looping around the wrist joint and locking. The thumb cap is formed of silicone rubber that encloses a reinforcing cloth at a portion corresponding to the outer side of the thumb. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a joint fixator for fixing the thumb joint, which includes a belt-shaped wrist belt wound along the wrist, a loop belt having one end extending from the wrist side edge of the wrist belt and the other end detachably locked to the wrist belt in a state of being folded back by approximately 180°, and a fixing belt extending from one end side in the winding direction of the wrist belt and having a tip detachably locked to the wrist belt from the other end side in the winding direction. The fixing belt includes at least two fixing belt members arranged side by side at one end side in the winding direction of the wrist belt, and a loop (ring) into which the thumb can be inserted is formed by the loop belt.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-218781 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-298355 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] In the field of orthopedics, there is a need for a device that can fix a diseased part quietly without applying a load. On the other hand, since the thumb is the finger with the most movement among the five fingers, it is preferable that the basic movements of the hand, fingers, and wrist joints are not hindered even when the device is worn. The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a thumb brace that does not hinder the basic movements of the hand, fingers, and wrist joints such as grasping an object, and can fix the thumb in a good position. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0006] The present inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by providing a pad that presses the thenar eminence and a belt that further presses the pad, with the main body of the thumb brace covering at least the thenar eminence and the first metacarpal bone of the thumb.

[0007] That is, the present invention is a thumb brace comprising at least a main body that covers at least the thenar eminence and the first metacarpal bone of the thumb, a thenar pad that presses the thenar eminence, and a thenar belt having one end fixed to the main body and pressing the thenar pad. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The thumb brace according to the present invention is configured such that the main body covers at least the thenar eminence and the first metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb, so that it is possible to prevent hindrance to the basic movements of the hand, fingers, and hand joints. Further, since the thenar eminence is pressed by the thenar eminence pad and the thenar eminence pad is further pressed by the thenar eminence belt, the thumb can be fixed in the good limb position. Note that the effects described herein are not necessarily limited, and may be any of the effects described in this specification.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below show examples of typical embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereby. Further, the present invention can also be combined with any of the following examples and their modified examples.

[0011] <1. Outline of the Present Invention> First, the outline of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the right hand RH. As shown in Figure 1, the right hand RH has a CM joint (the third joint from the fingertip, the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb) at the base of the finger and an MP joint (the second joint from the fingertip, the proximal interphalangeal joint of the middle finger).

[0012] When swelling and pain occur in the thumb CM joint, the thumb MP joint tends to be in a hyperextended position as a compensatory movement to avoid pain. If the hyperextended position of the thumb MP joint continues, it promotes the subluxated limb position of the thumb CM joint, leading to progression of deformation of the thumb MP joint and thumb CM joint and further pain. The inventors considered compressing the thenar eminence to prevent the progression of thumb CM joint disease or reduce the pain of the thumb CM joint. This is because it is considered effective to compress the thenar eminence near the palmar side of the MP joint to suppress hyperextension of the thumb CM joint. However, simply providing a pad for compressing the thenar eminence on the thumb appliance may result in weak pressing force and the thumb may not be fixed in the good limb position in some cases.

[0013] In view of the above situation, the inventors completed the present invention. The inventors found that by configuring the main body of the thumb appliance to cover at least the thenar eminence and the first metacarpal bone of the thumb, the basic movements of the hand, fingers, and hand joints can be prevented from being hindered. Also, by pressing the thenar eminence with the thenar eminence pad and further pressing the thenar eminence pad with the thenar eminence belt, it was found that the thumb can be fixed in the good limb position. In this specification, the "good limb position" refers to the optimal limb position that reduces the burden on the thumb CM joint. The good limb position in the present invention may be, for example, a state in which the thumb takes a palmar abduction position and a radial abduction position.

[0014] <2. First Embodiment> (1) Configuration of Thumb Appliance 1 With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the configuration of the thumb appliance 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. For the reference numerals common to each drawing, the description will be omitted unless particularly necessary.

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the outer surface of the thumb appliance 1 according to the present embodiment in an open state. Here, the outer surface is the outer surface that does not contact the thumb when the thumb appliance 1 is worn. Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the inner surface of the thumb appliance 1 according to the present embodiment in an open state. Here, the inner surface is the inner surface that contacts the thumb when the thumb appliance 1 is worn.

[0016] The thumb appliance 1 according to the present embodiment includes at least a main body 2, thumb ball pads 31 and 32, and a thumb ball belt 4. The thumb appliance 1 according to the present embodiment may further include a metacarpal bone stay 51 and / or a winding belt 6. Hereinafter, each part will be described in more detail.

[0017] (1-1) Regarding the main body 2 The main body 2 is a member that covers at least the thumb ball and the first metacarpal bone of the thumb.

[0018] The shape of the main body 2 is not particularly limited as long as it can cover the thumb ball and the first metacarpal bone of the thumb. For example, it may be a horizontally long strip, a tubular cylindrical body, a glove-like form that fits the outer shape of the hand as it is. However, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it preferably includes a member 21 that covers the thumb ball and a member 22 that covers the first metacarpal bone of the thumb. By the member 21 that covers the thumb ball and the member 22 that covers the first metacarpal bone of the thumb being separate members, the occurrence of gaps and looseness between the thumb appliance 1 and the thumb is suppressed, and the fixability of the thumb appliance 1 is improved. Further, by the thumb appliance 1 fitting following the shape and movement of the thumb, the effects of members such as the thumb ball pads 31 and 32 and the metacarpal bone stay 51 described later are more exerted. The member 21 that covers the thumb ball and the member 22 that covers the first metacarpal bone of the thumb are preferably configured such that the thumb is in a good limb position when worn, for example, in a state where the thumb is in palmar abduction and radial abduction.

[0019] The main body 2 preferably has an opening 23 for inserting the thumb and is configured not to cover the palmar cutaneous crease. With such a configuration, it can be worn without interfering with the movement above the MP joint of the thumb or the flexion of the MP joints of the fingers other than the thumb (index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger). The opening 23 may be formed by making a hole in the member 21 that covers the thenar eminence, but as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is preferably formed by sewing the member 21 that covers the thenar eminence into a tubular shape. With such a configuration, since the main body 2 follows the shape of the thumb, the fixability of the thumb brace 1 is further improved. The main body 2 is configured to cover, for example, from the webbing between the thumb and the index finger to the thenar eminence. With such a configuration, the distance between the thumb and the index finger can be widened and the radial abduction of the thumb can be maintained.

[0020] As the thread material constituting the main body 2, either natural fiber or chemical fiber may be used. For example, polyamide-based fiber, polyester-based fiber, acrylic-based fiber, cellulose-based fiber (cotton, rayon, polynosic, lyocell, etc.), polyurethane-based fiber, polyolefin-based fiber (polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.), acetate-based fiber, polyvinylidene chloride-based fiber, polyvinyl chloride-based fiber, hair (wool, animal hair, etc.), etc. can be used alone as the thread, or a thread mixed with these fibers can be used. As the type of thread, monofilament, multifilament, twisted thread, covered yarn, core yarn, etc. can be used, and those subjected to stretching processing or bulk processing may also be used. Also, as the knitting of the main body 2, various knitting structures of warp knitting or weft knitting can be used. For example, double jersey fabric, plain knitting fabric, rubber knitting (rib knitting) fabric, pearl knitting fabric, tack knitting fabric, round knitting fabric, flat knitting fabric, tricot fabric, jersey fabric, pile knitting fabric, added yarn knitting fabric, etc. can be used.

[0021] The main body 2 preferably has cushioning properties and / or elasticity. With such a configuration, the fit feeling is improved, and the thumb brace 1 can be worn without interfering with the basic movements of the hand, fingers, and hand joints. In addition, the main body 2 preferably has breathability. With such a configuration, it is difficult to get stuffy, and the thumb appliance 1 can be worn comfortably. From the viewpoint of not interfering with the basic movements of the hand, fingers, and finger joints, the main body 2 preferably has a thickness of 3 mm or less.

[0022] The main body 2 is preferably made of a fiber material such as nylon, polyurethane, or polyester, and is preferably composed of three layers of French pile fabric, compressed urethane, and jersey fabric. With such a configuration, the modulus (change in tensile force due to load change) and creep (change in tensile force over time when a load is applied) are reduced, so that deterioration of the fit feeling during wearing can be suppressed.

[0023] The outer surface of the main body 2 is preferably a hook-and-loop fastener with a filamentous material raised in a loop shape in order to attach the thenar belt 4 and the winding belt 6 described later. Note that the attachment means is not limited to the hook-and-loop fastener, and known attachment means other than the hook-and-loop fastener can be adopted. For example, a buckle, a snap button, a string, or the like may be used.

[0024] (1-2) Regarding the thenar pads 31 and 32 The thenar pads 31 and 32 are members that press the thenar. The thenar pads 31 and 32 press the thenar so that the thumb is in a good limb position, for example, a state where the thumb is in palmar abduction and radial abduction. In the following, the case where two thenar pads 31 and 32 are provided on the thumb appliance 1 will be described. However, one thenar pad may be provided. In this case, the thenar pad is provided on the palmar side so as to hit the thenar. Since the thumb appliance 1 can be used for both left and right hands, it is preferable to provide two thenar pads. In addition, by providing two thenar pads, one thenar pad presses the thenar, and the other thenar pad is arranged at a position hitting the dorsal first interdigital space between the thumb and the index finger, so that the fit feeling during wearing is further improved.

[0025] The thumb ball pads 31 and 32 according to this embodiment are provided at positions that contact the thumb ball of the main body 2 when the thumb appliance 1 is worn. The two thumb ball pads 31 and 32 are provided so as to sandwich the first metacarpophalangeal bone of the thumb, and are respectively arranged, for example, at positions that contact near the head from the shaft of the first metacarpophalangeal bone of the thumb. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the contraction and / or gliding of the muscles and tendons in the vicinity of the head from the shaft of the first metacarpophalangeal bone of the thumb, suppress the extension of the thumb MP joint, and prevent hyperextension deformation.

[0026] The shapes of the thumb ball pads 31 and 32 are not particularly limited as long as they can press the thumb ball, but are preferably shaped to match the shape of the thumb ball. For example, they may be a rounded rectangular shape as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a part of the thumb ball from being locally compressed, and the thumb appliance 1 can be worn without discomfort.

[0027] As materials for forming the thumb ball pads 31 and 32, resin materials such as polyurethane, chloroprene rubber, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, and acrylic, and foam materials can be used. The thumb ball pads 31 and 32 may be composed of two layers, the above-described resin material or foam material and a cushioning material composed of the thread material constituting the main body 2, and may be sewn or heat-welded to the main body 2. In order not to interfere with the basic movements of the hand, fingers, and hand joints and not to cause pain to the thumb ball, the thumb ball pads 31 and 32 preferably have a thickness of 5.0 mm or less.

[0028] The thumb ball pads 31 and 32 are preferably composed of two layers, a material having rigidity such as soft polyethylene and the above-described cushioning material, and are provided on the main body 2 such that the cushioning material is on the inner surface. When using soft polyethylene, the thickness is preferably 1.0 to 2.0 mm. The thickness of the cushioning material is preferably 2.0 to 3.0 mm. With such a configuration, it is possible to transmit the force pressing the thumb ball without hurting the skin.

[0029] (1-3) Regarding the thenar belt 4 The thenar belt 4 is a member with one end fixed to the main body 2 and pressing the thenar pad 31 or 32.

[0030] It is preferable that one end of the thenar belt 4 is fixed to the main body 2 by sewing or heat welding, and the other end is detachable from the main body 2. Also, it is preferable that one end of the thenar belt 4 is fixed to a position on the main body 2 that hits the drainage between the thumb and the index finger, and the other end of the thenar belt 4 is detachable from the main body 2 at a position near the thumb CM joint on the main body 2. With such a configuration, since the thumb takes a palmar abduction position, it can be fixed in a good limb position. Also, by configuring the thenar belt 4 to pass over the thenar pad 31 or 32, the thenar pad 31 or 32 can be pressed from above, and the effect of the thenar pad 31 or 32 suppressing the hyperextension of the thumb MP joint can be more effectively exerted.

[0031] The thenar belt 4 preferably has flexibility and / or stretchability in order to fit the curved surface shape of the hand and follow the movement of the hand. As the material constituting the thenar belt 4, the thread material constituting the above-mentioned main body 2, a resin sheet such as a vinyl chloride-based resin, rubber, etc. can be used. The thenar belt 4 preferably has a width of 10 to 25 mm, and more preferably 15 to 20 mm, in order to press the thenar pad 31 or 32 from above. Also, in order to attach the thenar belt 4 at a position near the thumb CM joint, the length of the thenar belt 4 is preferably 40 to 80 mm, and more preferably 50 to 60 mm. The thickness of the thenar belt 4 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 0.1 mm or less.

[0032] On the end of the thenar belt 4 that is not fixed to the main body 2, it is preferable to provide detachable attachment means to the outer surface of the main body 2. As the attachment means, known attachment means can be adopted, and for example, it may be a hook-and-loop fastener, a button, a hook, a string, or the like. Among these, attachment means that do not protrude when fixed to the main body 2 and do not damage the appearance are preferable, and among them, a hook-and-loop fastener is particularly preferable.

[0033] The thenar belt 4 may have a belt portion 41 and an attachment portion 42. In this case, one end of the belt portion 41 is fixed at a position on the main body 2 that hits the drainage between the thumb and the index finger, and the other end of the belt portion 41 is fixed to the attachment portion 42 having the above-described attachment means, and it is preferable that the attachment portion 42 is detachable from the main body 2 at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the thumb CM joint on the main body 2. The belt portion 41 is preferably fixed to the center of the attachment portion 42. By making the attachment portion 42 foldable with the connection portion between the belt portion 41 and the attachment portion 42 as a base point, the thumb appliance 1 can be used for both the right hand and the left hand.

[0034] (1-4) Regarding the intermediate phalanx stay 51 The thumb appliance 1 according to the present embodiment may include an intermediate phalanx stay 51. The intermediate phalanx stay 51 is a member provided at a position corresponding to the first intermediate phalanx of the thumb on the main body 2.

[0035] The intermediate phalanx stay 51 is provided at a position corresponding to the first intermediate phalanx of the thumb on the main body 2 when the thumb appliance 1 is worn, and supports the first intermediate phalanx of the thumb. Further, since the lower end of the intermediate phalanx stay 51 is pressed by the winding belt 6 described later, it is possible to suppress the first intermediate phalanx bottom of the thumb from moving in the subluxation direction.

[0036] The shape of the intermediate phalanx stay 51 is not particularly limited as long as it can support the first intermediate phalanx of the thumb, but for example, it may be a vertically long plate shape that matches the first intermediate phalanx of the thumb. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the first intermediate phalanx from being locally compressed, and the thumb appliance 1 can be worn without a sense of discomfort.

[0037] The middle metacarpal stay 51 preferably has flexibility and / or rigidity in order to support the first middle metacarpal bone. As the material constituting the middle metacarpal stay 51, a resin material such as polyethylene is preferable. Further, in order not to be bulky and not to damage the skin, the thickness of the middle metacarpal stay 51 is preferably 3.0 mm or less. When using soft polyethylene as the middle metacarpal stay 51, the thickness is more preferably 1.0 to 2.0 mm.

[0038] (1-5) Regarding the winding belt 6 The thumb brace 1 according to the present embodiment may include a winding belt 6. The winding belt 6 is a member having one end fixed to the main body 2 and wound above the wrist so as not to cover the wrist. Here, in this specification, "above the wrist" means the distal side from the wrist. Since the winding belt 6 is configured not to cover the wrist, the thumb brace 1 can be worn without interfering with the basic movements (palmar flexion, dorsal flexion, radial flexion, ulnar flexion, etc.) of the wrist joint.

[0039] One end of the winding belt 6 is preferably fixed to the main body 2, and the other end is preferably detachable from the main body 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the winding belt 6 may be integrally formed with the main body 2. The other end of the winding belt 6 is preferably detachable from the main body 2 at a position corresponding to the lower end of the middle metacarpal stay 51. By adopting such a configuration, the middle metacarpal stay 51 can be pressed from above, the middle metacarpal stay 51 can support the first middle metacarpal bone of the thumb more strongly, and the movement of the bottom of the first middle metacarpal bone of the thumb in the subluxation direction can be further suppressed.

[0040] The winding belt 6 preferably has flexibility and / or cushioning properties from the viewpoint of not causing pain to the skin and following the movement of the wrist joint. Further, the winding belt 6 may have elasticity. As the material constituting the winding belt 6, the thread material constituting the main body 2 described above can be used. The winding belt 6 preferably has a width of 20 to 30 mm so as not to interfere with the basic movements of the wrist joint. The thickness of the winding belt 6 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 1 to 4 mm.

[0041] The winding belt 6 may have a belt portion 61 and a fastening portion 62. The outer surface of the belt portion 61 is preferably a hook-and-loop fastener with a filamentous material raised in a loop shape in order to fix the winding belt 6. Here, the outer surface of the belt portion 61 is the surface where the belt portion 61 does not contact the main body 2. The fastening portion 62 provided on the inner surface of the tip of the belt portion 61 is preferably a hook-and-loop fastener portion with a raised hook shape. After winding the winding belt 6 above the wrist, by fastening the outer surface of the belt portion 61 and the fastening portion 62, the winding belt 6 can be fixed with an arbitrary strength. Here, the inner surface of the belt portion 61 is the surface where the belt portion 61 contacts the main body 2. Note that the fastening means in the winding belt 6 is not limited to the hook-and-loop fastener, and known fastening means other than the hook-and-loop fastener can be adopted. For example, a buckle, a snap button, or the like may be used.

[0042] (2) An example of the procedure for wearing the thumb brace 1 An example of the procedure for wearing the thumb brace 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. For the reference numerals common to each drawing, the description will be omitted unless particularly necessary. Hereinafter, an example of the procedure for wearing on the right hand RH of the wearer will be described. Note that the thumb brace according to this embodiment can be worn on either the left or right hand of the wearer by bending the thumb ball belt 4 to the side opposite to when worn on the right hand.

[0043] First, insert the right thumb RF into the opening 23 and attach the main body 2 so that the metacarpal bone stay 51 contacts the first metacarpal bone of the thumb. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, turn the winding belt 6 from the palm side to the dorsal side of the right hand RH and wrap it around above the right wrist RW, and fasten the fastening portion 62 to the outer surface of the main body 2.

[0044] Then, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the attachment portion 42 of the thenar belt 4 is attached at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the CM joint of the thumb of the main body 2. At this time, it is preferable that the thenar belt 4 is attached to the main body 2 by pressing the thenar pad 32 from above.

[0045] As shown in Figs. 5(a) and 5(b), the thumb appliance 1 according to the present embodiment presses the thenar with the thenar pad 32, and further presses the thenar pad 32 with the thenar belt 4, thereby suppressing the hyperextension of the thumb CM joint and the thumb MP joint, and fixing the thumb in the good limb position. Further, the thumb appliance 1 according to the present embodiment has an opening 23 and is configured not to cover the palmar cutaneous crease, so that it can be worn without hindering the movement above the MP joint of the thumb and the flexion of the MP joints of the fingers other than the thumb (index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger).

[0046] <3. Second Embodiment> (1) Configuration of Thumb Appliance 10 With reference to Fig. 6, the configuration of the thumb appliance 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The thumb appliance 10 according to the present embodiment includes at least a main body 2, a thenar pad 33, and a thenar belt 4, and the thenar pad 33 is provided on the thenar belt 4. The thumb appliance 10 according to the present embodiment may further include a metacarpal bone stay 51 and / or a winding belt 6. Among these, the configurations of the main body 2, the metacarpal bone stay 51, and the winding belt 6 can be the same as those in the above-described first embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] The thenar pad 33 may be fixed to the belt portion 41 of the thenar belt 4 by sewing or heat welding, and may be provided at a position that contacts the thenar when the thumb appliance 1 is worn. The shape and material of the thenar pad 33 may be the same as those of the thenar pads 31 and 32 in the above-described first embodiment.

[0048] (2) An Example of the Wearing Procedure of Thumb Appliance 10 An example of the wearing procedure of the thumb appliance 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0049] First, similar to the first embodiment described above, attach the opening 23 to the right thumb RF, and attach the main body 2 so that the metacarpal stay 51 contacts the first metacarpal bone of the thumb. Next, turn the winding belt 6 from the palm side to the dorsal side of the right hand RH and wrap it around the upper part of the right wrist RW, and attach the engaging part 62 to the outer surface of the main body 2.

[0050] Then, attach the engaging part 42 of the thumb ball belt 4 at a position where it contacts near the CM joint of the thumb of the main body 2. At this time, it is preferable that the thumb ball pad 33 contacts the thumb ball so that the thumb ball belt 4 is fixed to the main body 2.

[0051] In the thumb appliance 10 according to the present embodiment, since the thumb ball pad 33 is provided on the thumb ball belt 4, the position where the thumb ball pad 33 contacts can be adjusted according to the size of the wearer's hand.

[0052] <4. Third Embodiment> (1) Configuration of Thumb Appliance 100 With reference to FIG. 7, the configuration of the thumb appliance 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The thumb appliance 100 according to the present embodiment includes at least a main body 2, a thumb ball pad 34, and a thumb ball belt 4, and the thumb ball pad 34 is provided on the thumb ball belt 4. The thumb appliance 100 according to the present embodiment may further include a metacarpal stay 51 and / or a winding belt 6. Among these, the configurations of the main body 2, the metacarpal stay 51, and the winding belt 6 can use the same ones as those in the first embodiment described above, so the description is omitted.

[0053] The thumb ball pad 34 may be detachably attached to the belt portion 41 of the thumb ball belt 4. The shape and material of the thumb ball pad 34 may be the same as those of the thumb ball pads 31 and 32 in the first embodiment described above. The thumb ball pad 34 and the belt portion 41 may be provided with known engaging means.

[0054] (2) An Example of the Wearing Procedure of Thumb Appliance 100 An example of the procedure for wearing the thumb brace 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0055] First, in the same manner as in the above-described first embodiment, the opening 23 is attached to the right thumb RF, and the main body 2 is attached so that the metacarpal bone stay 51 contacts the first metacarpal bone of the thumb. Next, the winding belt 6 is rotated from the palm side to the dorsal side of the right hand RH and wound around the upper part of the right wrist RW, and the engaging portion 62 is engaged with the outer surface of the main body 2.

[0056] Then, the engaging portion 42 of the thumb ball belt 4 is engaged at a position that contacts the vicinity of the CM joint of the thumb of the main body 2. At this time, it is preferable that the thumb ball pad 34 contacts the thumb ball so that the thumb ball belt 4 is fixed to the main body 2.

[0057] Since the thumb brace 100 according to this embodiment is detachably attached to the belt portion 41 of the thumb ball pad 34, the position of the thumb ball pad 34 can be adjusted according to the size of the wearer's hand.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0058] 1 Thumb brace 2 Main body 31, 32 Thumb ball pad 4 Thumb ball belt 51 Metacarpal bone stay 6 Winding belt RH Right hand MP MP joint CM CM joint RF Right thumb RW Right wrist

Claims

1. A main body that at least covers the thenar eminence and the first metacarpal bone of the thumb, a thenar eminence pad that presses the thenar eminence, and a thenar eminence belt having one end fixed to the main body and configured to pass over the thenar eminence pad to press the thenar eminence pad from above. The thumb appliance comprises at least these components.

2. The thumb appliance according to claim 1, wherein the main body at least includes a member that covers the thenar eminence and a member that covers the first metacarpal bone of the thumb.

3. The thumb appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body has an opening for inserting the thumb and is configured not to cover the palmar cutaneous crease around the MP joint of fingers other than the thumb.

4. The thumb appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thenar eminence pad is provided at a position that contacts the thenar eminence of the main body.

5. The thumb appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thenar eminence pad is provided on the thenar eminence belt.

6. The thumb appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein two thenar eminence pads are provided so as to sandwich the first metacarpal bone of the thumb.

7. The thumb appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein one end of the thenar eminence belt is fixed to the main body, and the other end of the thenar eminence belt is detachable from the main body.

8. The thumb appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein one end of the thenar eminence belt is fixed to a position that contacts the webbing between the thumb and the index finger of the main body, and the other end of the thenar eminence belt is detachable from a position that contacts the vicinity of the CM joint of the thumb of the main body.

9. The thumb appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a metacarpal stay at a position that contacts the first metacarpal bone of the thumb of the main body.

10. The thumb appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a winding belt having one end fixed to the main body and wound above the wrist so as not to cover the wrist.

11. The thumb appliance according to claim 10, wherein one end of the winding belt is fixed to the main body, and the other end of the winding belt is detachable from the main body.

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