Brace Assembly For Controlling The Hip Position In A Child

Abstract

A brace assembly for controlling the position of a child's hip or hips is disclosed herein and includes a pair of straps which are attached to a frame and designed to pass behind the child, up over his shoulders, and then again attach to the frame, the latter being adjustable so as to fit the particular child. The assembly includes a pair of thigh cuffs and a pair of calf cuffs, each cuff of which is generally semi-cylindrical in shape and suitably covered such as with a removable felt material. The thighs of the child are positioned within the thigh cuffs and upon fastening the felt material thereabout, the thighs are securely positioned within the cuffs. In a similar manner, the calf cuffs, which extend outwardly from the thigh cuffs, are attached to the child's calves. Through selective rotational movement of the thigh and calf cuffs to a predesired orientation or position and thereafter upon securing the cuffs in this predesired orientation or position, the position of the child's hip can be controlled.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed generally to brace assemblies and more particularly to a brace assembly for controlling the hip position of a child.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the field of medicine and particularly orthopedic surgery, the use of braces or other position holding means for correcting skeletal deformities of the human body is well-known. For example, congenital deformity of the hip joint leading to dislocation, either at or shortly after the birth of the child, if untreated, often leads to permanent dislocation of the hip. In order to correct this congenital deformity, treatment is directed toward reducing the dislocation to anatomic position and to a point of stability and maintaining this reduced position for a sufficient period of time so as to allow for normal development of the hip joint, thereby achieving stability and normal development. It should be readily apparent, however, that to achieve a reduced hip position in a child and to hold this position for a period of time is a difficult task. Various means have been suggested and used for holding this position including plaster casts, multiple varieties of brace fixation and, on occasion, surgical means and pin fixation. While the external devices, including braces, have been significantly helpful in this regard, those available heretofore have not been adequately adaptable to provide the desired and necessary positioning to the child's hip. Certain specific positions, particularly with the hip in abduction and internal rotation, have not been available except by plaster cast immobilization. Plaster cast immobilization is less desirable in many instances for a variety of reasons, i.e., rigidity of position, comfort, and difficulty in application in an unasthetized infant.

As will be seen hereinafter, the brace assembly of the present invention is specifically designed to allow for a variety of positions of the hip including full abduction-external rotation, abduction-internal rotation, and lesser degrees of abduction and increasing degrees of flexion, both with internal and external rotations, combinations of which may be desirable in the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip. As will also be seen hereinafter, the brace assembly of the present invention is uncomplicated in design and inexpensive to make and yet provides for any number of simple manipulations to provide the aforedescribed hip securing positions as well as others. Moreover, it provides sufficient rigidity to permit excellent treatment of the hip condition and yet permits enough mobility of the joint to insure the maintenance of a healthy joint during treatment.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel brace assembly for controlling the hip position of a person.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel brace assembly for controlling the hip of a child in treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a brace assembly of the last-mentioned type which is uncomplicated in design and economical to manufature.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a brace assembly of the last-mentioned kind which is light in weight and comfortable to wear.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a brace assembly of the last-mentioned kind which allows the hip to be held in a variety of easily manipulated positions, depending upon the particular position required.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the brace assembly of the last-mentioned kind which may be easily manipulated to hold the child's hip in full abduction-external rotation, abduction-internal rotation, and lesser degrees of abduction and increasing degrees of flexion, both with internal and external rotation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a brace assembly with removable felt cuffs or pad means which may be laundered from time to time.

Another object of this invention is to provide a brace assembly as aforedescribed in which each pad means includes at least one pocket in which is disposed a part of said assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a brace assembly of the last-mentioned kind which reliably holds the child's hip in the aforestated positions as well as other required positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a brace assembly which immobilizes the hip joint sufficiently to obtain good treatment thereof and yet provide enough movement to maintain good health of the hip joint during treatment.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lower half of a child wearing a brace assembly which is constructed in accordance with the present invention and which is provided for controlling the position of the child's hip in treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the brace assembly apart from the child;

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the thigh position arrangement comprising part of the assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the calf positioning arrangement comprising part of the assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 and particularly how the calf positioning arrangement is connected with the thigh positioning arrangement of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a brace assembly for holding the hip of a child in a variety of positions and particularly in those positions necessary to the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip. The brace assembly, which is uncomplicated in design, economical and easy to manipulate for providing the various positions, comprises two thigh positioning arrangements including thigh cuffs which are secured about the child's hip and which are connected for pivotal movement to support members, perferably formed from aluminum, thereby allowing the thigh to be held in a variety of positions.

The assembly also comprises one or two calf arrangements including calf cuffs which are secured about the child's calves and which are also connected to elongated support members, preferably formed from aluminum. As will be seen hereinafter, each of these last-mentioned elongated support members is both pivotally and rotationally connected with a corresponding thigh positioning arrangement so as to secure the child's calf in one of many positions relative to his adjoining thigh, the particular position, of course, depending upon the necessary treatment. The entire assembly is secured to the child by a pair of straps which are attached to the thigh positioning arrangements and which are constructed to pass behind the child, over his shoulders and then again attached to the latter arrangements.

As stated above, the brace assembly of the present invention is specifically designed to allow for a variety of positions of the child's hip, both in full abduction-external rotation, abduction-internal rotation, and lesser degrees of abduction and increasing degrees of flexion, both with internal and external rotation. These various positions are achieved by a number of simple manipulations. For example, increasing or decreasing the flexion of the support members between the thigh cuffs correspondingly increases or decreases the abduction-flexion positions. Rotation of the thigh cuffs relative to the thigh bars achieves a wider or less wide abduction position depending upon the direction of rotation. Tightening or loosening of either shoulder strap may be provided for maintaining one thigh in a greater abducted or lesser abducted position. A combination of movements of the calf cuffs may be provided for maintaining a more internally or more externally rotated position of the hip. On the other hand, slight bending of the calf bar may be utilized to maintain greater or lesser degrees of flexion of the knees.

The foregoing features of the present invention as well as other features thereof will become apparent from the following description of the drawings wherein like components are designated by like reference numerals throughout the various figures.

Turning specifically to FIG. 1, the brace assembly, which is especially suitable for controlling the position of a child's hip in treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip, is illustrated and generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The assembly, which is shown secured to a child 12, includes two preferably identical thigh positioning arrangements 14 and 16, two also preferably identical calf positioning arrangements 18 and 20 and a pair of straps, 22 and 24, which are respectively suitably connected with the front of thigh positioning arrangements 14 and 16 and which are designed to pass over the chest of the child, thereafter over his shoulders and finally along his back where they are respectively attached to the back sides of arrangements 14 and 16. As shown, these straps include buckles 26 which allow the straps to be adjusted in accordance with the size or change in size of the child.

As will be seen hereinafter, each of the arrangements 18 and 20 is adapted to secure the corresponding calf of the child in one of a variety of different positions relative to the child's adjoining thigh and each of the arrangements 14 and 16 is adapted to secure the child's thigh in one of a variety of different positions relative to both the adjoining calf and the other thigh. Further, as will be seen hereinafter, the straps 22 and 24 are also adapted to secure the child's thighs in one of a variety of different positions relative to one another. In this manner, the position of the child's hip can be accurately controlled, which is of extreme import in the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip.

Turning to FIG. 2, attention is directed to calf positioning arrangements 18 and 20. As illustrated, each of these arrangements includes a calf cuff 28 comprising a generally semi-cylindrical member 30 which provides rigidity to the arrangement and which is preferably constructed of aluminum. A pad means comprising an inner strip 32 and an outer strip 34 of felt or other suitably soft material which acts as a cushion between the child's leg portion and the metal part of the brace assembly. The strips are positioned on opposite sides of semi-cylindrical member 30 and suitably dimensioned to encompass entirely the latter. Hence, both strips 32 and 34 are substantially wider and substantially longer than the semi-cylindrical member 30. The strips may be secured to member 30 in any suitable manner. Preferably, the strips 32 and 34 are secured together such as through the use of stitches 33, to form a pocket 35 between the right end of the strip 34, as shown in FIG. 2, and the adjacent portion of strip 32. The right end of member 30 as viewed in FIG. 2, is disposed within said pocket 35. Another pocket 37 is formed adjacent the left end of strip 32, as viewed in FIG. 2, and the left end of member 30 is suitably disposed within said pocket 37.

As illustrated, inner strip 32 is substantially longer than outer strip 34. In fact, strip 32 should be sufficiently long so as to extend completely around the calf of the child and thereafter wrap over one end of outer strip 34 where it can be suitably fastened thereto by, preferably, cooperating velcro fastening means 42. In this manner, the felt strips may be easily detached from member 30 and replaced or laundered, for example, if they become damaged or soiled.

Each of the calf positioning arrangements also includes an elongated calf support member or bar 44 which is connected at one end, preferably integrally so, with member 30. Calf bar 44 is perferably constructed of aluminum and of a sufficiently small amount of material so as to make it malleable and thereby permit suitable bending or deforming thereof for the purpose of facilitating the position of the calf cuff in a desired location, as will be seen hereinafter. As will also be seen hereinafter, the otherwise free end of calf bar 44 is fastened to a corresponding thigh positioning arrangement for pivotal movement as indicated by arrow 46 (see FIG. 4) and rotational movement as indicated by arrow 48, see FIG. 2.

In FIG. 2, it can be seen that each of the thigh arrangements 14 and 16 includes a thigh cuff 50 comprising a preferably aluminum semi-cylindrical member 52 and a pad means including inner and outer strips 54 and 56 (formed from a soft material such as felt) which are positioned on opposite sides of member 52 and suitably secured in this position, preferably by velcro fastening means, in the same manner as aforedescribed strips 32 and 34. Strips 54 and 56 are also joined together with stitches 57 in the same manner as strips 32 and 34 and form a pocket 59 therebetween as described above in connection with strips 32 and 34. The right end of member 52, as viewed in FIG. 2, is disposed within said pocket. A second pocket (not shown) is formed adjacent the left end of strip 54 in the same manner as described above in connection with strip 32. The left end of member 52, as viewed in FIG. 2, is similarly disposed within said second pocket. The inner strip 54, as illustrated, is substantially longer than outer strip 56 and is adapted to fit around the child's thigh, as illustrated by arrow 58, and secured in this position by cooperating velcro fastening means 60. As stated above, by utilizing easily disengageable pads of the type described, easy removal for laundering or replacement, as necessary, is facilitated.

Each thigh positioning arrangement also includes an elongated support or thigh bar 62 which is preferably constructed of a heavier aluminum than the earlier described calf bars 44 and which, as will be seen hereinafter, is connected at one end with semi-cylindrical member 52 for rotational movement, as indicated by arrow 64. As illustrated best in FIG. 2, the otherwise free ends of thigh bars 62 are positioned in overlapping relationship against one another and secured in this position by suitable fastening means such as bolts 66. In this regard, the overlapping portion of each thigh bar includes a plurality of bolt receiving passages 68. The passages in these thigh bars are adapted to align with one another so that the thigh bars and therefore thigh arrangements 14 and 16 can be adjusted in a longitudinal direction, as indicated by arrow 70. In this manner, the overall assembly can be adjusted in accordance with the size of the particular child.

Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, attention is directed to an arrangement 72 which is adapted for connecting one end of calf bar 44 to a corresponding thigh positioning arrangement and particularly the semi-cylindrical member 52 of thigh cuff 50 for movement in the direction of arrows 46 and 48. In order to accomplish this, arrangement 72 includes two spaced-apart and parallel track 74 which are suitably fastened to semi-cylindrical member 52 by screws 75 disposed within threaded apertures 78 provided in the semi-cylindrical member 52. The tracks 74 extend parallel with the lower curved edge of member 52, as illustrated best in FIG. 4. A bolt member 76 is disposed through an opening (not shown) provided in the otherwise free end of cuff bar 44 and is releasably secured within the slot between tracks 74. Hence, because of the plurality of threaded apertures, the entire cuff positioning arrangement 18 is adjustably positionable or movable in the direction of arrow 48, that is, about a portion of the side cuff 28 and transverse to the axis of cuff bar 44. In order to secure the bolt member 76 relative to the track 74, the bolt member is rotated by the means of a key 80 (see FIG. 3) which has tab portions 80a disposed within tab portion receiving apertures 81 formed in the bolt member 76.

In order to secure effectively the calf bar 44 and therefore calf positioning arrangement 28 in a predetermined angular orientation relative to the axis of bolt member 76, a lock washer 82 is positioned around the bolt member 76 and between calf bar 44 and tracks 74. Hence, upon loosening the bolt member 76, the calf bar 44 is allowed to pivot around the bolt. In order to fix the calf bar and therefore arrangement 28 in a predetermined pivoted position, the bolt 76 is tightened sufficiently to cause the lock washer to exert a restraining force between the calf bar and the member 52.

In order to provide the pivotal movement between thigh cuff 50 and thigh bar 62, an arrangement 86 is provided. This arrangement, like the foredescribed arrangement 72, includes a bolt member 88 positioned through a cooperating aperture in the otherwise free end of thigh bar 62 and thereafter threaded into a cooperating threaded aperture in semi-cylindrical member 52, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. A lock washer 90 is positioned around bolt 88 and between the thigh bar and semi-cylindrical member, as shown in FIG. 3. The bolt member 88 includes a pair of tab portion receiving apertures 89 similar to apertures 81 of bolt member 76. Bolt member 88 is similar in construction to bolt member 76 and operates in a like manner.

From the foregoing, it should be readily apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art that brace assembly 10 is specifically designed to allow for a multiple variety of positions of the child's hip including full abduction-external rotation, abduction-internal rotation, and lesser degrees of abduction and increasing degrees of flexion, both with internal and external rotation. These last mentioned positions are achieved by a number of manipulations of the brace assembly. Specifically, by decreasing or increasing the flexion of calf bars 44, the abduction-flexion positions can be increased or decreased accordingly. In a similar manner, by rotating the thigh cuff on thigh bar 62, one may achieve a wider abducted position or a less wide abducted position. In order to maintain one thigh in a greater abducted or lesser abducted position, one would merely tighten or loosen the amount of the shoulder straps 24. The combination of rotation (as indicated by arrow 46) and sliding movement (as indicated by arrow 48) of the calf bar 44 relative to thigh cuff 50, one can easily maintain a more internal or more external rotated position of the hip. Further, the slight bending of the calf bar will maintain greater or lesser degrees of flexion of the knee. In addition to the foregoing, the brace assembly of the present invention provides sufficient rigidity to permit excellent treatment of a hip condition and yet permits anough mobility of the joint to insure the maintenance of a healthy condition thereof during treatment.

It will also be noted that the inner strip of each pad means provides a continuous smooth leg engaging surface and thereby minimizes chaffing of the child's leg.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the exact embodiment of the apparatus and method described and shown which are merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as various other forms and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

I claim:

1. A brace assembly for controlling the positioning of a person's hip, said assembly comprising:

a. a thigh positioning arrangement including thigh means adapted for connection about at least a portion of a person's thigh and an elongated member having one end pivotally connected with said thigh means, said arrangement being adapted for fixing said thigh in a predetermined position;

b. a calf arrangement including calf means adapted for connection about at least a portion of said person's adjoining calf and an elongated member extending from said thigh means and said calf means, said calf arrangement being adapted for fixing said calf in a predetermined position; and

c. an arrangement for connecting said calf arrangement with said thigh arrangement, said connecting arrangement including means for slidably connecting one end of said second mentioned elongated member with said thigh arrangement for movement along said thigh means and substantially transverse to the axis of said second mentioned elongated member and means for pivotally connecting said one end of said second mentioned member to said thigh arrangement.

2. A brace assembly according to claim 1 wherein said second mentioned elongated member is constructed of an easily deformable material.

3. A brace assembly according to claim 1 including a second thigh positioning arrangement including thigh means adapted for connection about at least a portion of said person's other thigh and an elongated member having one end pivotally connected with said second mentioned thigh means, said second thigh positioning arrangement being adapted for fixing said other thigh in a predetermined position, a second calf positioning arrangement including calf means adapted for connection about at least a portion of said person's other calf and an elongated member extending from said second mentioned thigh means and said second calf means, said second calf positioning arrangement being adapted for fixing said other calf in a predetermined position, and a second arrangement for connecting said second calf positioning arrangement with said second thigh positioning arrangement, said second connecting arrangement including means for slidably connecting one end of said last-mentioned elongated member with said second thigh positioning arrangement for movement along said second thigh means and substantially transverse to the axis of said last-mentioned elongated member, and means for pivotally connecting said one end of said last-mentioned elongated member to said second thigh positioning arrangement.

4. A brace assembly according to claim 3 including a pair of straps connected with said thigh positioning arrangements and adapted for positioning around said person.

5. A brace assembly for controlling the position of a person's hip, said assembly comprising:

a. a thigh positioning arrangement including thigh means adapted for connection about at least a portion of a person's thigh, said arrangement being adapted for fixing said thigh in a predetermined position;

b. a calf arrangement including calf means adapted for connection about at least a portion of said person's adjoining calf and an elongated member extending from said thigh means to said calf means, said calf arrangement being adapted for fixing said calf in a predetermined position; and

c. an arrangement for connecting said calf arrangement with said thigh arrangement, said connecting arrangement including means for connecting one end of said elongated member with said thigh arrangement for movement along said thigh means and substantially transverse to the axis of said elongated member.

6. A brace assembly according to claim 5 wherein said means for connecting one end of said elongated member with said thigh arrangement is a slidable connection.

7. A brace assembly according to claim 5 wherein said means for connecting one end of said elongated member with said thigh arrangement is a pivotal connection.

8. A brace assembly according to claim 5 wherein said thigh arrangement includes an elongated member and means for pivotally connecting one end of said last-mentioned elongated member to said thigh means.

9. A brace assembly according to claim 5 wherein said thigh arrangement includes an elongated member having one end connected with said thigh means, said assembly further including a second thigh arrangement adapted for fixing the other thigh of said person in a predetermined position, said second thigh arrangement including an elongated member having one end connected therewith and its other end connected for longitudinal adjustment with the otherwise free end of said last-mentioned elongated member.

10. A brace assembly according to claim 5 wherein said thigh means and calf means each includes pad means adapted to fit around said person's thigh and calf, respectively.

11. A brace assembly according to claim 10 wherein said thigh means and calf means each includes a semi-cylindrical member and wherein said pad means are disengageably positioned around said semi-cylindrical members.

12. A brace assembly according to claim 5 wherein said elongated member is constructed of an easily deformable material.

13. A brace assembly for controlling the positioning of a person's hip, said assembly comprising:

a. a first thigh positioning arrangement including an elongated thigh bar, a semi-cylindrical member pivotally connected to one end of said thigh bar and a pad means disengageably connected about said semi-cylindrical member and adapted for connection around one thigh of said person, said first thigh positioning arrangement being adapted for fixing said thigh in a predetermined position;

b. a second thigh positioning arrangement including a second thigh bar adjustably connected at one end with the otherwise free end of said first-mentioned thigh bar, a second semi-cylindrical member pivotally connected with the otherwise free end of said second thigh bar and a pad means disengageably connected around said second semi-cylindrical member and adapted for positioning around the second thigh of said person, said second arrangement being adapted for fixing said second thigh in a predetermined position;

c. a calf positioning arrangement including a third semi-cylindrical member, a pad means disengageably positioned around said third semi-cylindrical member and adapted for positioning around said person's calf and a calf bar connected at one end with said third semi-cylindrical member at one end and connected at its other end to said first-mentioned semi-cylindrical member for both pivotal and sliding movement, said sliding movement being substantially transverse to the axis of said calf bar; and

d. a second calf positioning arrangement including a fourth semi-cylindrical member, a pad means disengageably connected around said fourth semi-cylindrical member and adapted to be positioned around said person's other calf and a second calf bar connected at one end with said fourth semi-cylindrical member at one end and at its other end with said second semi-cylindrical member for both pivotal and sliding movement, said sliding movement being substantially transverse to the axis of said second calf bar.

14. A brace assembly according to claim 13 wherein said calf bars are constructed of an easily deformable material.

15. An assembly according to claim 14 including key means for locking said thigh bars and calf bars in first positions.

16. A brace assembly according to claim 15 wherein said thigh bars are adjustably connected together at their otherwise free ends.

17. An assembly according to claim 16 including a pair of straps connected with said thigh positioning arrangements and adapted to fit around said person.

18. An assembly according to claim 13 in which said pad means are constructed from felt.

19. An assembly according to claim 13 in which each of said pad means includes a first pocket in which is disposed one end of the semi-cylindrical member associated wih said pad means, and said pad means including means for releasably securing together opposite ends of said pad means.

20. An assembly according to claim 19 in which each pad means includes a second pocket in which is disposed the other end of said semi-cylindrical member.

21. An assembly according to claim 13 in which each of said pad means includes first and second strips, each first strip being disposed about the outer surface of the corresponding one of said semi-cylindrical members, each second strip having a portion thereof disposed about the inner surface of said corresponding semi-cylindrical member, one end of said first strip being secured to a portion of said second strip to form a first pocket therebetween, a second pocket being formed adjacent one end of said second strip, each end of the semi-cylindrical member associated with said pad means being disposed within a corresponding one of said pockets and said pad means including means for releasably securing together opposite ends thereof.