DIGIT SUPPORT
This invention relates to a brace for a digit, in particular for a thumb.
Sporting injuries can be serious. When sustained by a professional sportsperson such injuries can ruin a season and thereby reduce earnings. Even when sustained by amateurs, they may seriously inconvenience and even prevent a person from carrying out their usual work.
A common sporting injury is that of a sprain, for example, Gamekeeper's Thumb. This is a sprain of a ligament in the thumb which is common among athletes, especially skiers and tackle football players. The injury is caused by a forceful movement of the digit, usually accompanied by hyperextension, which occurs when the digit is extended at an abnormally great angle.
In addition to sprains, broken bones may also be suffered by an athlete. For example, the navicular (scaphoid) fracture is caused by a force on an outstretched hand which compresses the navicular bone between the radius and second row of carpal bones.
It is clearly advantageous to provide means whereby the risk of such injuries can be lessened, or even whereby such injuries can be eliminated. However, such means must also allow for the normal use and movement of those digits in order to be useful.
The present invention aims to meet these dual requirements, and thereby prevent or mitigate injuries of the kind described. The invention has particular relevance to skiers. Falls are an inevitable part of skiing and skiers instinctively put their hands out when they fall. In packed snow conditions, in particular, the hands take a considerable impact, leading to injuries of kind discussed.
For skiers existing ski gloves do nothing to prevent sprains, for example Gamekeeper's Thumb, because they do not offer any bracing or support and so allow the thumb to hyperextend backwards.
According to a first aspect of the invention a brace for at least one digit prevents the hyperextension of the or each digit. Preferably such a brace does not hinder the normal movement of the digit or digits.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a brace for at least one digit comprises a rigid digit support for at least part of the or each digit. Preferably the digit support surrounds at least part of the or each digit.
Preferably the brace comprises a rigid extension from which extends the or each digit support.
Preferably the brace is adjustable. The adjusting means may comprise a tension strap connected between the rigid extension and part of the digit support.
Preferably the brace is made of a rigid but lightweight material.
Preferably the digit support is shaped to accommodate at least part of a thumb. According to a third aspect of the invention, a glove is fitted with a brace according to the first or second aspects of the invention.
Preferably the brace is permanently received within the glove.
Alternatively the glove may be provided with a pocket into which the brace may be removably located.
The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 shows the back view of a brace according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows an inside view of the brace of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a view of the back of a hand on which the brace is worn as it would be when holding a ski-pole;
Figure 4 shows the hand wearing the brace of Figure 1 as seen from above as it would be holding a ski-pole; and
Figure 5 shows the inside of a hand wearing the brace of Figure 1 with the adjustable tension strap crossing the palm.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a brace 1 for supporting a thumb is shown. The brace shown is suitable for use with a right hand. The brace comprises a digit support 2 and a backing member 3. The backing member 3 is connected at one end to the digit support 2 and is provided with a curved portion or flange 4 at the other.
The digit support 2 is in the form of a hollow cylinder 5 shaped to accommodate a thumb, the cylinder having top and bottom openings 6,7. In use, the thumb is inserted into the bottom opening 6 and extends through the top opening 7. In the preferred embodiment shown the cylinder 5 only covers the thumb up to the first thumb joint. This is sufficient to protect the thumb ligament from hyperextension, but also allows for a degree of freedom of movement for the remainder of the thumb. Preferably the edges of the top and bottom openings together with the inside surface of the cylinder are smoothed to prevent chaffing either by providing a lining, or padding, or by any other suitable means.
As can be seen in Figure 3, the backing member 3, in use, extends away from the digit support 2 across the back of the hand.
The top edge 8 of the backing member 3 is arranged so that, in use, it is spaced from the knuckles 10 at the top of the hand 12, and so allows for free movement of the fingers 13.
The bottom edge 9 of the backing member 3 is arranged so that, in use, it is spaced from the wrist 11 so as to allow for free movement of the wrist 11.
The inside surface 14 of the backing member 3 may also be lined or padded to prevent chaffing with the back of the hand. For example, a lining of foam will provide insulation, comfort and helps to ensure a secure fit for each individual wearer of the brace.
The backing member 3 is held in place relative to the hand by the flange 4 which extends from the back of the hand down along the side of the hand. In this way the thumb ligament is held in a fixed relation to the rest of the hand and is further protected against hyperextension.
All the edges of the brace are preferably contoured to reduce the possibility of the brace cutting into the skin of the wearer.
The brace 1 may be further secured against movement relative to the hand by the use of an adjustable tensioning strap 15. As shown in Figure 5, the tensioning strap 15 may be secured by a first connection 16 to the digit support 2 and by a second connection 17 to the flange 6.
If the brace 1 is incorporated in a glove, the tensioning strap 15 may also serve as the glove fastening.