Patent Application
20210022939
The present invention relates generally to a knee traction/ decompression system wherein traction/decompression is applied to the knee. More specifically, the present invention relates to a knee traction/decompression system for the treatment of knee disorders arising from degenerative processes. The unit employs a metal frame platform with a centrally placed fulcrum allowing a rotational traction/decompression force to be manually applied to relieve pain and stimulate healing by opening the pathways to the soft tissue of the knee articulation while maintaining the basic comfort of the patient.
Traction therapy, also referred to as decompression therapy, is widely used to relieve pressure on inflamed or compressed joints. While traction is applicable to any part of the body, spinal traction is the most common. It is known in the art that spinal traction/decompression therapy has proven beneficial to most patients. When correctly performed, spinal traction can cause distraction or separation of the vertebral bodies, a combination of distraction and gliding of the facet joints, tensing of the ligamentous structures of the spinal segment, widening of the intervertebral foramen, straightening of spinal curvature and stretching of the spinal musculature. To be effective and depending on the injury and/or condition being treated, the traction component of physical therapy may require multiple sessions per week for a prolonged period of time.
To apply effective knee traction/ decompression, a variable force must be applied. However, the problem is that current equipment, providing only axial traction forces are large mechanical units only found in a few therapeutic or research facilities and thus only available to individuals in a few offices, are extremely expensive and not available for continued home care. As a result, most traction/decompression knee systems utilized have, for the most part, been relatively ineffective because patients cannot find or afford the treatments, or must travel to a doctor's office to receive the treatments. Therefore, in most cases, bed rest, general physical therapy and medications are suggested as a means to healing, which in most cases provides only short term relief, requiring extended periods of time in a recumbent (non-weight bearing) position rather than actually applying the desired traction to provide real healing. In addition, the scarce devices that do exist are generally large, cumbersome, standalone units designed for research, not utilized in general outpatient clinics and provide only axial traction.
Attempts to create a sufficiently low cost portable traction device for home use have thus far produced no results. There are a few traction devices utilizing pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders to create the traction force. Most are units designed for other areas of the body and manipulated in such ways as to accommodate the knee. Hydraulic cylinders have the disadvantage of the weight of the hydraulic fluid and the potential for leakage. Those units with pump and sensor configurations are costly, heavy, and too complex for continued home self use. These traction units are usually used only for research studies and in a few larger more aggressive outpatient clinics. These pump and sensor configurations add cost, weight, and complexity to the traction device.
Therefore, there is a need for a low cost, lightweight portable knee traction device utilizing a self-applied rotational traction/decompression force generating apparatus that can maintain a force of an adequate magnitude for a given period of time.
In this regard, the present invention provides for a knee traction/decompression system for the treatment of knee pain arising from degenerative processes that rotationally separates the femur tibia complex by effectively applying the desired self administered traction and pressure to relieve pain and stimulate healing by opening the pathway to the meniscus while maintaining the basic comfort of the patient.
In contrast to the prior art, the present concept employs rotational separation by means of a centrally placed fulcrum that is positioned within a stationary horizontal support platform. A pulling force is applied via a foot harness attached to a cord and retractable hand held device. As the force is applied, there is a rotational separation of the femur and tibia. Several medical studies indicate that articular cartilage regeneration occurs when a traction force has been applied to the knee joint. To control pressure, the individual is in complete control of the amount of force being applied as well as the duration of the force.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a low cost, lightweight portable traction device utilizing a traction force generated manually that can maintain a traction force of an appropriate magnitude for a given period of time. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a traction/decompression system for the treatment of knee pain arising from degenerative changes or reducing the effects of prolonged compressive forces by effectively applying the desired traction to relieve pain and stimulate healing by opening the pathway to the meniscus while maintaining the basic comfort of the patient.
For a better understanding of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.
In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number.
The drawings illustrate the knee traction/decompression system for the treatment of knee back pain arising from degenerative or compressive forces. The unit rotationally separates the femoral tibial joint by creating a lever effectively applying the desired traction to relieve pain and stimulate healing by opening the pathway to the meniscus and articular cartilage while maintaining the basic comfort of the patient. This is generally illustrated in the figures shown below.
The body of the subject lies supine on a flat stable surface. The user secures the foot harness around the foot. The popliteal fossa is then extended over the fulcrum of the traction unit. Subject then uses the retractable hand held device, initiating a pulling effect on the foot creating a lever around the femoral tibial joint (pivot point). This movement creates a traction/decompression action on the knee joint.
