The hamstring consists of three large muscles which run along the back of the upper leg extending from the pelvis to the top of the bones of the lower leg. Together the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus function to achieve hip extension and knee flexion, ultimately propelling the body forward in order to run, walk, or jump.
Most hamstring injuries are typically strains or tears to the associated tendons or muscles. These injuries frequently occur in athletes, especially in those who participate in sports that require sudden explosive movements such as sprinting, jumping, or lunging. However, hamstring injuries can also occur more gradually during slower movements that stretch the hamstring beyond its capacity. These injuries can vary in severity; however, all result in a loss of muscle function, causing pain, swelling, and weakness that can persist for weeks, resulting in a strength deficit and, most often, decreased performance for the athlete.
Many hamstring injuries respond well to non-surgical treatments. Typical non-surgical treatments include rest, ice, compression, elevation, immobilization, and physical therapy. Additional developments in non-surgical hamstring treatments are needed to provide compensation for inadequate muscle function, lowered muscle activation, and increased range of motion while allowing the athlete the opportunity to continue performing when experiencing a strength deficit.
The Hamstring-Assist Device, which protects and aids the hamstring in hip extension and knee flexion by mimicking the structural characteristics of the associated muscles, is disclosed.
The present invention includes a circumferential waist belt, a fastener system, a medial leg strap, a lateral leg strap, and an anti-migration strap. In another embodiment, the Hamstring-Assist Device can be worn in combination with compression shorts to provide compression to the affected leg. In another embodiment, the Hamstring-Assist Device includes a femoral wrap to provide compression to the affected leg. The femoral wrap is secured around the upper leg of the wearer to provide warmth and compression to the affected leg.
The circumferential waist belt is cinched around the waist to a preferred fit and is secured to the body by a fastening system. In one embodiment, the circumferential waist belt fastener system is a double D-ring. In other embodiments, the fastener system could include hook-and-loop or a single D-ring, a clip, a belt-hole mechanism, or a tensioning system. The fastener system allows the wearer to adjust the circumferential waist belt circumference and prevents any loosening or tightening of the circumferential waist belt during use. A semi-rigid, pressure-dispersion pad is adhered to the circumferential waist belt to alleviate D-ring pressure from the waist of the wearer. In another embodiment, the pressure-dispersion pad could include a padded sleeve.
Adjustable medial and lateral leg straps attach to the circumferential waist belt and extend down the leg to the ankle. In one embodiment, the leg straps are made of neoprene. In another embodiment, the leg straps are made of a two- or four-way stretch material.
While in a prone position, with the hip extended and the knee slightly flexed, the medial leg strap is aligned with the medial portion of the leg, near the buttocks, and the lateral leg strap is aligned with the lateral side of the leg, two to three inches toward the lateral side of the affected leg. The medial leg strap is pulled toward the medial side of the shin of the affected leg, crossing the hamstring, creating tension. The medial leg strap is pulled across the anterior of the shin, just below the knee cap. The medial leg strap continues to spiral down the lower leg around the ankle and is secured to itself through hook-and-loop fasteners.
The lateral leg strap is pulled toward the lateral side of the shin of the affected leg, crossing the medial leg strap at the hamstring, creating tension. The lateral leg strap is pulled across the anterior of the shin just below the knee cap. The lateral leg strap continues to spiral down the leg, and is around the ankle, over the medial leg strap through hook-and-loop fasteners. This crisscross pattern provides a natural spring-back effect to the leg, assisting the hamstring by mimicking natural muscle function.
To prevent migration, the medial leg strap and lateral leg strap are secured below the kneecap of the wearer with an anti-migration strap. In one embodiment, the anti-migration strap is made of neoprene and secured to the leg of the wearer through hook-and-loop fasteners.
Indications for the Hamstring-Assist Device include hamstring sprains, strains, pulls, tweaks, pain; weakness in hip extension and knee flexion; among others.
The Hamstring-Assist Device 2, shown in
The present invention includes a circumferential waist belt 4, fastener system 6, a medial leg strap 8, lateral leg strap 10, and anti-migration strap 14, shown in
The circumferential waist belt 4 is cinched around the waist of the wearer to a preferred fit and secured to the body by a fastener system 6. In one embodiment, the fastener system 6 is a double D-ring 16, shown in
The medial leg strap 8 and the lateral leg strap 10, in one embodiment, are made of neoprene and fastened to the circumferential waist belt 4 by looping around the circumferential waist belt 4 and are stitched to themselves, shown in
While in a prone position, as shown in
The lateral leg strap 10 is pulled toward the lateral side of the shin of the affected leg, crossing the medial leg strap 8 at the hamstring, creating tension. The lateral leg strap 10 is then pulled across the anterior of the shin just below the knee cap. The lateral leg strap 10 continues to spiral down the leg, and is secured around the ankle, over the medial leg strap 8 through hook-and-loop fasteners 20, as shown in
To prevent migration, the medial leg strap 8 and lateral leg strap 10 are secured below the kneecap of the wearer with an anti-migration strap 14, wrapped around the lower leg over the medial leg strap 8 and lateral leg strap 10, as shown in
Indications for the Hamstring-Assist Device 2 include hamstring sprains, strains, pulls, tweaks, pain; weakness in hip extension and knee flexion; among others.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62771191 | Nov 2018 | US |