US3804085A - Traction splint - Google Patents

Abstract

A traction splint including a form fitted body portion adapted to surround the calf of a leg, and to which is fastened a strap to apply a pulling force and a foot portion adapted to support the foot. An elastic strap provides an exercise means by which the problem of ''''foot drop'''' may be avoided.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Eshuis et a].

[ TRACTION SPLINT [76] Inventors: Adolph Eshuis, RR. 2; Andrew M.

Jansma, both of Rock Valley, Iowa [22 Filed: Oct. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 300,329

52 11.5. (:1. 128/85, 128/80E [51] Int. Cl. A6lf 5/04 [58] Field of Search 128/85, 84, 83, 87, 80,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,854,000 9/1958 Anderson 128/84 R 2,750,939 6/1956 Bolgern 128/84 C 3,605,122

9/1971 Myers 128/165 X 5] Apr. 16 1974 2,696,208 12/1954 Falls...

2,817,333 12/1957 Cole 128/84 R 2,969,790 1/1961 ReddigJ. 128/84 R FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 523,538 8/1921 France 128/80 731,133 8/1932 France 128/80 Primary Examine rRichard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko [5 7] ABSTRACT A traction splint including a form fitted body portion adapted to surround the calf of a leg, and to which is fastened a strap to apply a pulling force and a foot portion adapted to support the foot. An elastic strap provides an exercise means by which the problem of foot drop" may be avoided.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures TRACTION SPLINT BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to traction splints of the type used on hospital patients where traction applied to the leg is indicated. The device is also adapted to be used in nursing homes or for home use if desired.

There are many times when patients in hospitals or nursing homes are to be treated by applying traction to the leg or legs of the patient. In these cases, some means of grasping the leg is necessary so that the pulling force'can be applied.

Present traction devices are made almost exclusively from non-woven materials and are generally of a trapezoidal form when opened. This trapezoidal form is wrapped around the leg of the patient and is snugly fas tened above the ankle. A strap may be used to connect weights to the device. I

Applying pulling tension to the leg at the ankle in a relatively concentrated area has the effect of cutting off circulation in that region leading to a tissue necrosis. Additionally, there is no support for the foot which leads to a relaxation and weakening of the muscles controlling the foot and causing the problem known as foot drop."

By our invention we provide a device which applies the force over a broad area of the calf muscle in the patients leg. As-a result, circulation is not normally cut off and there is no necrosis problem. In addition, we provide a means for supporting the foot of the patient. This latter means also allows for exercising the foot muscles so that there is no atrophy and no loss of function.

FIGURES DESCRIPTION Briefly our device comprises a form fitting leg engaging part adapted to be. wrapped about a patients leg and a foot holding part attached to the form fitting part to allow normal ankle action and an elastic member engaged between the two parts to resiliently resist movement so that the foot controlling muscles will have a force to exercise against.

' More specifically and referring to the'drawin'gs, our device is made from-a heavy woven fabric form lined with a foam material. Two flat pieces are stitched together along aseam line 10 to provide a form adapted to fit the calf of a patients leg. When stretched out, the device assumes a plan-form somewhat like that shown in FIG. 1. However, the FIGURE .does not totally represent the concavity necessary to embrace the muscle. It is apparent that the device cannot lie totally flat in this position.

Thebody 11 is enlarged in the central part as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to fit the calf muscle. Because of that feature, we have found that it may be necessary to pro- 2 vide two or three sizes, but the use of a wrapped aroundportion 12 and pressuresensitive fastening tapes 13 allows considerable flexibility so far as size is concerned.

The pressure sensitive fasteners on thesetapes 13 are of a type well known in the art. Thepads 14 .to which weights through thestrap 20 to thebody 11 of our de- .vice. From there it is uniformly distributed as pressure on the calf muscle. Specifically to be avoided is any tightening at the upper end of the form just below the knee. The desired situation is a more uniform distribution of pressure and an avoidance of concentrated I tightness which would cut circulation in the leg.

Afoot supporting portion 15 is connected to the.body 11 by means of a narrower orneck portion 16 all formed integrally in the two flat pieces which are.

stitched together. The front support portion also haswing portions 17 adapted to be wrapped around the foot and fastened with apressure sensitive fastener on atape 18.'As illustrated, the foot portion is formed to lie flat when not in use. In use, however, the.neck part 16 follows the contour of the patientshe'el (FIG. 3

and provides a sort of hinge arrangement so that the patients ankle is free to operate.

In order to provide a force against which to exercise 7 the foot-controlling muscles, we use anelastic strap 21 which is stitchedtoone wing 17 of thefoot part 15. The other end is adapted-to be held preferably by abuckle device 22 fastened to one of thestraps 13. A buckle'is preferable because then the length and tension in theelastic strap 21 can be varied.

Support of the foot in the normal position is desirable to preserve some normal tension in the muscles where traction is to be continued for some time. In addition, use of theelastic strap 21 provides a pressure against which the foot can be moved to provide a moving exercise which will preserve the muscle tone so that the patient will be able to walk with much more nearly a normal muscle reaction than is often the case with present devices.

In use, the patients leg is encased by wrapping the Iportions 12 around the sides of the leg and over the shin. Thestraps 13 are then pulled up snug (not tight) and are fastened by pressing the pressure sensitive fastener parts together. The foot part is then wrapped around the patients foot after running theneck part 16 over the heel. Again the fastening is closed. Thestrap 21 is then pullediup with a small amount of tension and fastened in thebuckle 22. Proper traction force can then'be applied to thestrap 20 to provide the necessary tension. While the device is being used, the patient can exercise his foot against theelastic strap 21 on a more or less regular basis as required. I I

We claim:

1. Traction means for applying traction force to a patients leg comprising body means formed to fit the calf of the patients leg and including fastening means on said body means for securing said body means on the patients leg, foot supporting means-formed integrally with said body means and including fastening means on said foot supporting means for securing said foot supporting means on the patients foot, elastic means engaged between said foot supporting means and said body means adapted to hold said foot supporting means in a normal relationship to said body means but allowsaid .body means ,and extending beyond said foot supporting means whereby tension canbe applied to said 3, Thedevice of claim 1 inwhich said elastic means in g movement againstthe resistance thereof whereby the foot can be exercised and strap meansfastened to S 4 is adjustably fastened to said body part.

4. The device of claim 1 in which said body means is held onto the patients leg by being wrapped around the leg and pressure sensitive meanson said body adapted to h oldsaid bjody'part in its wrapped position.

' 5 The device of claim 1 in which .saidfoo t portion formed to lieflatand is adapted to be wrappedaround the patients foot and pressure sensitive meansoni said ,foot portion to hold said foot portion in its wrapped around position.

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Claims (5)

1. Traction means for applying traction force to a patient''s leg comprising body means formed to fit the calf of the patient''s leg and including fastening means on said body means for securing said body means on the patient''s leg, foot supporting means formed integrally with said body means and including fastening means on said foot supporting means for securing said foot supporting means on the patient''s foot, elastic means engaged between said foot supporting means and said body means adapted to hold said foot supporting means in a normal relationship to said body means but allowing movement against the resistance thereof whereby the foot can be exercised and strap means fastened to said body means and extending beyond said foot supporting means whereby tension can be applied to said body means.

2. The device of claim 8 in which a neck portion forming a substantial open space is provided between said body portion and said foot portion.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said elastic means is adjustably fastened to said body part.

4. The deviCe of claim 1 in which said body means is held onto the patient''s leg by being wrapped around the leg and pressure sensitive means on said body adapted to hold said body part in its wrapped position.

5. The device of claim 1 in which said foot portion is formed to lie flat and is adapted to be wrapped around the patient''s foot and pressure sensitive means on said foot portion to hold said foot portion in its wrapped around position.

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