Patent Application
20210121353
The present disclosure relates to physical therapy. More particularly, and not by way of limitation, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for stretching the plantar fascia and tendons and muscles located in the foot and on the back of the leg.
The plantar fascia is located on the bottom of the foot or the plantar side. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the fascia and causes pain. It can be aggravated when walking, running or standing and the pain can be debilitating. Stretching of the fascia and tendons and muscles on the dorsal side or back the leg can reduce this pain. However, active stretching, such as when the person is standing and stretching using a slant board or other device can cause the targeted muscles to contract, putting undue tension on the tendons, which can result in micro tears, which cause further pain. Elastic or inelastic bands and even towels are often recommended but are cumbersome to use. The angle of stretch is difficult to control. They are often looped around the arch of the foot and this does not stretch the plantar fascia. Stretching by contracting the antagonistic muscles of the anterior leg can cause cramping and tightening of those muscles and in extreme cases, shin splints. It would be advantageous to have an apparatus and method for engaging the foot distal to the metatarsi that enables a full stretch of the plantar fascia, muscles of the feet and lower leg that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. The present disclosure provides such a system and method.
The present disclosure is directed to an elongated shaft that is held approximately parallel to the long axis of the leg, at least a brace element that is attached to the elongated shaft that is oriented such that it is held perpendicular to the long axis of the leg. The brace element is oriented essentially perpendicular to the long axis of the leg such that when engaged with the foot the foot is in the neutral position. The brace element is configured to be long enough to engage the width of the foot. The elongated shaft may include a grip or handle attached to the end opposite from the brace element. The elongated shaft may be adjustable to fit the user, with the grip easily gripped between the knee and hip.
The brace element and the handle element may include a hinge that enables these elements to fold essentially parallel to the elongated shaft for storage and transport. Grips on the elongated shaft or the brace element and handle element allow for the placement of the foot and hands to reduce the chance of slippage. The grips may conform to the toes and the fingers of the hand to improve grip. The material of the elongated shaft, brace element, and/or handle element may be metal, such as steel or aluminum, carbon fiber, wood, or plastic. The handle may be rubber, plastic, leather, or other material that offers cushioning and a high coefficient of friction to reduce slipping. The brace element may include a conical element that can be used to manipulate pressure points
The invention includes a method of stretching the plantar fascia and tendons and muscles on the plantar side of the foot and the posterior lower leg whereby the user is seated with the leg extended in front of them such that the whole leg is supported or slightly declined such that the upper leg and upper portion of the lower leg is supported by the seat. This enables the muscles of the legs to be relaxed as they are not supporting the body. The user then engages the brace element with the foot distal to the metatarsi, under the toes. The user then assures the foot is in the neutral position, neither supinated nor pronated. The stretch is initiated by pulling the elongated shaft with the handle element in a superior direction along the axis of the leg until the desired degree of stretching is achieved.
The user holds this position for several seconds and releases the stretch by moving the elongated shaft inferiorly to allow the foot to regain the neutral position. The user repeats this maneuver several times and repeats with the other foot, particularly if the condition is bilateral. For instance, a set of 10 stretches per leg, each stretch held for 10 seconds, each set performed twice a day may be an appropriate therapy. This improves range of motion of the foot and ankle, reduces Ankle Equinus, relieve knee pain, back pain and hip pain associated with misalignment of the foot and ankle. It reduces over pronation and the tension on the plantar fascia.
The novel features believed characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The present invention is directed to a physical therapy device and method of treatment of the plantar surface of the foot and the posterior muscles and tendons of the leg. The physical therapy device includes a handle and an elongated shaft that extends from approximately mid-thigh to beyond the bottom of the foot, where the shaft bends such that a brace element is formed that is essentially positioned perpendicular to the shaft. The brace element is configured with a non-slip surface to grip the toes.
In one embodiment, a handle is at the top of the elongated shaft by grip along its axis. In yet another embodiment, the shaft may include a handle that is perpendicular to the elongated shaft. In another embodiment, the handle may be hinged to fold such that it is parallel to the elongated shaft for storage. In yet another embodiment, the handle is fashioned such that the center of the handle is more or less centered to the first shaft. In any of the embodiments, the brace element engaging the foot may also be hinged such that it can be folded so that it is parallel to the elongated shaft for storage.
In any of the embodiments, the elongated shaft may be adjustable along its length to accommodate a variety of leg lengths. Furthermore, the elongated shaft can be constructed from a wide variety of materials including, but limited to, any type of metal, wood, polymer, or carbon fiber. This disclosure also describes a method of unweighted stretching of the tendons, fascia and muscles of the plantar surface of the foot and the posterior of the leg. The unweighted nature of the stretch reduces the chances of incidental macro and micro tears of the tendons of the ankle and around the heel from muscle activation in response to postural demands. It reduces the foreshortening of the anterior leg muscles when these are used to dorsiflex the foot to stretch the targeted structures. These and other features of the disclosure are described in the paragraphs below.
In
A brace element 105 is affixed to the first end 104 of the elongated shaft 103. As depicted in
In
While this disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
While various embodiments in accordance with the principles disclosed herein have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with any claims and their equivalents issuing from this disclosure. Furthermore, the above advantages and features are provided in described embodiments, but shall not limit the application of such issued claims to processes and structures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages.
Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under 37 C.F.R. 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically, and by way of example, although the headings refer to a “Technical Field,” the claims should not be limited by the language chosen under this heading to describe the so-called field. Further, a description of a technology as background information is not to be construed as an admission that certain technology is prior art to any embodiment(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Brief Summary” to be considered as a characterization of the embodiment(s) set forth in issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to “invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple embodiments may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the embodiment(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein.
