Sock for treating pigeon toe

Abstract

The present invention discloses a sock for treating pigeon toe that comprises a body with an elastic and compressive fabric defining a leg, a plantar surface and a toe to contain the toes of the foot. The sock comprises a thickening arranged longitudinally from the heel to the end of the distal phalanx of the toes, which has a width in the heel area equal to or less than 2 / 3 of the surface area of the heel and a width in the metatarsal and digit plantar area that covers at least the third to the fifth metatarsal. In this way, the thickening has a maximum additional thickness of 6 mm relative to the thickness of the main body of the sock, its configuration thereby correcting pigeon toe by means of a device that is easy to put on, highly effective and durable.

Description

[0001] SOCK FOR THE TREATMENT OF ADDUCTION GAIT

[0002] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a technical sock for the treatment and / or correction of adduction or intrarotation gait, especially designed for pediatric patients, which allows this gait disorder to be corrected using a device that is easy to fit, highly effective and durable.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] As is well known, adduction gait is one of the most common pathologies affecting motor skills and gait in pediatrics, and specifically in pediatric podiatry, and is one of the main causes of concern and visits to pediatric clinics and surgeries by parents.

[0006] From the perspective of scientific literature, adduction gait can be considered physiological until the age of 3 (as long as there is no underlying cause), due to the natural rotational evolution of the leg's bone segments (femur / tibia / foot). However, patients beyond the age of 3 may still exhibit a gait with a marked internal rotation pattern. The cause of this rotation can be found in both bony structures, from the hip to the metatarsus, and in soft tissue structures that exert traction on the bony structures.

[0007] It is essential to assess symmetry and bilaterality, since the absence of bilaterality is directly considered pathological gait, regardless of age.

[0008] On the other hand, knowing the degree of active control of the pediatric patient and his or her ability to perceive and modify the rotation he or she presents, both statically and dynamically, is essential to have an idea of ​​the prognosis he or she will have.

[0009] The presence of an adduction gait pattern in childhood may be related, from an etiological point of view, to the following intrinsic factors or morphofunctional alterations that are present in the child:

[0010] - Coxa vara

[0011] - Femoral anteversion

[0012] - Internal Tibial Torsion

[0013] - Metatarsus Adductus Varus

[0014] - Metatarsus Primus Varus

[0015] - Hallux Varus

[0016] - Skew Foot

[0017] - Congenital and / or Acquired Clubfoot

[0018] - Neuromotor disorders of the Central Nervous System

[0019] - Post-surgical Iatrogenesis

[0020] Clinically, the main symptoms of adduction gait are the following:

[0021] - During walking, the patient's toes extend beyond the centerline of gait progression. Gait progression angle is decreased, below 15°. e .

[0022] - The patient is characterized by falling or tripping over his or her own feet. He has a clumsy gait.

[0023] - It is common to feel in a W shape.

[0024] - It is common to sleep face down with your legs rotated inwards along with your feet.

[0025] Differential diagnosis should be made with the following battery of morphofunctional alterations of the lower extremity:

[0026] - Coxa vara

[0027] - Femoral anteversion

[0028] - Internal Tibial Torsion

[0029] - Metatarsus Adductus Varus

[0030] - Metatarsus Primus Varus

[0031] - Hallux Varus

[0032] - Skew Foot

[0033] Congenital and / or Acquired Clubfoot Neuromotor disorders of the Central Nervous System

[0034] Post-surgical iatrogenesis

[0035] Additionally, the classification of adduction gait can be labeled in three ways: physiological, non-physiological, and pathological, depending on the affected segment and its evolutionary prognosis.

[0036] Physiological adduction gait means that everything evolves according to normal physiological development. On the other hand, an adduction gait is considered non-physiological when the internally rotated segment is the tibia, because its natural evolution over the years is to rotate externally, so it is possible that it can align over time. However, if the affected segment is the femur, it will be a pathological adduction gait because the femur evolves to rotate internally, worsening the adduction gait of the pediatric patient over the years. It is possible to find both segments altered, sometimes even with alterations in the foot.

[0037] Active treatment of adduction gait is based on promoting the maximum rotator cuff movement opposite to the pathology. The more frequently it is performed and the younger the patient, the more effective it is. In patients between 6 and 10 years of age, passive exercises can also be included to promote external rotator moments.

[0038] Orthotic insoles are commonly used to address rotator cuff patterns that affect gait in pediatric patients. The inserts used for adduction gait achieve their effect by blocking the lateral metatarsophalangeal joints (third, fourth, and fifth). The derotation effect is achieved by blocking lateral toe-off, forcing the foot to take off medially, thus opening the gait progression angle.

[0039] The piece described in the scientific literature is the External Gait Plate, a piece placed on the outer edge of the insole, reaching the end of the toes to act during toe-off. Its effect is generated in the sagittal plane. The indirect effect generated by this piece, pronation, is also a positive effect for patients with adducted gait. For the correct implementation and effectiveness of orthopaedic treatment, it is essential that the patient wear a shoe with flexibility in the toe box, specifically in the flexion area of ​​the metatarsophalangeal joint.

[0040] However, not all patients tolerate orthotic insoles, and additionally, orthotic insoles cannot always be placed in all types of shoes.

[0041] In addition, children's feet grow very quickly, and they have to change the insoles frequently because they become too small.

[0042] Finally, there are no non-orthopedic devices known in the state of the art that can be used during the transition from orthopaedic treatment withdrawal, so it is essential that treatment be withdrawn gradually.

[0043] For all the above reasons, the applicant of the present invention detects the need to offer a device for the treatment of adduction gait that is easy to use and tolerated by the patient, suitable for all types of footwear, and which, additionally, represents an ideal solution for temporary complementary treatment in the transition from removing orthopedic insoles, avoiding their direct removal.

[0044] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] The sock recommended for the treatment of adduction gait fully satisfactorily resolves the aforementioned problem, based on a simple and effective solution.

[0046] Thus, the sock of the invention offers an adjuvant / enhancing treatment that helps control and reduce the internal rotator pattern of the patient who presents an adduction gait.

[0047] The sock for the treatment of adduction gait consists of a main body made of an elastic, slightly compressive fabric, with a thickness between 4 and 12 mm. As is typical for this type of garment, the main body has a shank, a plantar surface—that is, the lower surface that coincides with the sole of the wearer's foot—and a toe box to accommodate the toes. Optionally, the toe box is divided into a first compartment for accommodating the thumb and a second compartment for accommodating the other toes, in order to provide independent digital takeoff and more free and ergonomic movement of the hallux.

[0048] Preferably, the elastic fabric comprising the main body of the sock is a washable and breathable fabric made of bamboo, polyester, elastane, and / or nylon. However, the present invention is not limited to these materials; the sock can be made from any fabric with elastic and compressive fibers that promotes breathability and is washable.

[0049] According to the essence of the invention, the plantar surface of the sock for treating adduction gait is provided with at least one continuous thickening arranged longitudinally on the external plantar surface of the sock, from the heel to the end of the distal phalanx of the toes, partially covering the external plantar surface of the sock. Specifically, the thickening has a width in the heel region less than or equal to 2 / 3 of the width of the plantar surface of the heel, reaching a width in the plantar metatarsal and digital region that covers at least from the third to the fifth metatarsal. The thickening has an additional maximum thickness of 6 mm, preferably 5 mm, with respect to the thickness of the main body of the sock, which advantageously provides the desired technical effect of correcting adduction gait.

[0050] On the other hand, the thickening can be made up of, among other non-limiting options, a piece of material such as EVA, rubber, foam, felt, or similar. Alternatively, the thickening is integrated into the fabric of the sock itself, with a construction that creates additional thickness compared to the rest of the sock.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the thickening along the plantar surface of the sock has a hardness between 35 e and 45 eShore A. It should be noted that Shore hardness is a scale for measuring the elastic hardness of materials, determined from the elastic reaction of the material when an object is dropped on it. The A scale is used for tires, elastic bands, etc. Preferably, the thickening has an extension that partially covers the external lateral dorsum of the foot and part of the heel. This extension prevents stepping and acts as a protective pad, protecting the lateral bone structures of the foot, especially the styloid process of the fifth metatarsal.

[0052] Finally, it's worth noting that the sock's main body can be configured to offer all types of cuffs: high, medium, and low, adapting to the needs and morphology of each user. The cuff can optionally be extended to a maximum height of 1 cm below the user's kneecap. Preferably, the sock is configured with a cuff slightly above the ankle.

[0053] For all the above reasons, the technical sock for the treatment of adduction gait or internal rotation, preferably in children, offers the following advantages:

[0054] - An alternative treatment that is complementary and / or associated with orthopedic and / or physical rehabilitation treatment prescribed by a healthcare professional such as a podiatrist, physiotherapist, rehabilitation physician, pediatrician, or traumatologist.

[0055] - Treatment of pathological adduction gait patterns in cases where the insole is incompatible with children's footwear.

[0056] - Treatment of pathological adduction gait pattern in cases where the patient walks barefoot or without shoes.

[0057] - Treatment of a pathological adduction gait pattern in cases where the practitioner decides to gradually and monitoredly discontinue conservative treatment using orthopedic devices, but needs to implement non-orthopedic biomechanical support for the patient's gait pattern and not eliminate the correct factor immediately, but rather in a monitored and progressive manner. In this case, the sock of the invention would allow treatment with orthopedic devices to be discontinued, and we continue using biomechanical socks until a medical decision is reached.

[0058] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] To complement the description that follows and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0060] Figure 1.- Shows a bottom view of the sock for the treatment of adduction gait according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0061] Figure 2.- Shows a side view of the sock for the treatment of adduction gait from the previous figure placed on a patient's foot, so that the outer side of the foot is shown.

[0062] Figure 3.- Shows a front view of the sock for the treatment of adduction gait in the previous figures placed on a patient's foot, where the detail of the wedge shape of the grease can be seen.

[0063] Figure 4.- Shows a rear perspective view of the sock for the treatment of adduction gait in the previous figures placed on a patient's foot.

[0064] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0065] In view of the figures referred to, it can be seen that, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sock for the treatment of adduction walking is based on the conventional structure of a sock that has a main body (3) in which a shaft, a plantar surface and a toe are defined to accommodate the toes.

[0066] As can be seen in the figures shown, the sock comprises a thickening (1) arranged longitudinally from the heel to the end of the distal phalanx of the toes, partially covering the external plantar surface. Said thickening (1) has an additional maximum thickness of 6 mm, preferably 5 mm, with respect to the thickness of the main body (3) of the sock.

[0067] As detailed in Figure 1 , the thickening (1 ) has a width in the heel region equal to or less than 2 / 3 of the heel surface and a width in the plantar metatarsal and digital region that covers at least from the third to the fifth metatarsal. On the other hand, the thickening (1) has an extension (2) that partially covers the external lateral dorsum of the foot, as seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4. Advantageously, this extension (2) serves as protection and prevents a step in the body of the sock that could cause discomfort and rubbing with the shoe on the user's foot.

[0068] As can be seen in Figure 3, in the illustrated embodiment the lubrication (1) has a wedge shape of decreasing thickness, such that at its outer end (4), the lubrication (1) has a thickness of 5 mm which decreases towards its inner end (5). Advantageously, the wedge shape of the lubrication (1) allows a progressive and more uniform distribution of the pressure or reactive force of the ground on the user's foot.

[0069] The sock for the treatment of adduction gait, according to the preferred embodiment described, provides an effective and easy-to-use therapeutic element, which empowers the patient and allows the patient to dispense with orthopedic elements such as insoles, which have limitations in terms of their use and adaptation.

Claims

1 a .- Sock for the treatment of adduction gait, having a main body (3) made of elastic and compressive fabric with a thickness between 4 mm and 12 mm in which a shaft, a plantar surface and a toe are defined to accommodate the toes, characterized in that the sock comprises a thickening (1) arranged longitudinally from the heel to the end of the distal phalanx of the toes and partially covering the external plantar surface, such that the thickening (1) has a width in the heel region equal to or less than 2 / 3 of the heel surface and a width in the plantar metatarsal and digital region that covers at least from the third to the fifth metatarsal, such that the thickening (1) has an additional maximum thickness of 6 mm with respect to the thickness of the main body (3) of the sock. 2 a.- Sock for the treatment of adduction gait according to claim 1 a characterized in that the thickening (1) has an extension (2) that partially covers the external lateral back of the foot. 3 a .- Sock for the treatment of adduction gait according to claim 1 a characterized in that the thickening (1) is made of EVA, rubber, foam rubber or felt. 4 a .- Sock for the treatment of adduction gait according to claim 1 a characterized in that the thickening (1) is integrated into the fabric of the sock itself. 5 a .- Sock for the treatment of adduction gait according to claim 1 a characterized in that the thickening (1) has a hardness between 35 e and 45 e Shore A. 6 a .- Sock for the treatment of adduction gait according to claim 1 acharacterized in that the thickening (1) has a wedge shape of decreasing thickness, such that at its outer end (4), the thickening (1) has a thickness of 5 mm which decreases towards its inner end (5). 7 a .- Sock for the treatment of adduction gait according to claim 1 a characterized in that the main body (3) defines a shaft that extends to a maximum height of 1 cm below the user's kneecap. 8 a .- Sock for the treatment of adduction gait according to claim 1 a characterized in that the elastic and compressive fabric is a fabric made of bamboo, polyester, elastane and / or nylon. 9 a.- Sock for the treatment of adduction gait according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toe is divided into at least two compartments, where the first compartment accommodates the big toe and the second compartment accommodates the rest of the toes.

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