Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a rehabilitation strap including a pair of handles and a strap of adjustable length and a method of using the same. The method includes rehabilitation exercises that an individual may practice after a joint replacement procedure.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/791,375 filed Mar. 15, 2013 and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to rehabilitation equipment and methods. More particularly, it relates to a rehabilitation strap including a pair of handles and a strap of adjustable length and a method of using the same. The method includes rehabilitation exercises that an individual may practice after a joint replacement procedure. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Rehabilitation is a required but difficult process for patients trying to recover the full control of their hips, knees, or other parts of their body. Some of the most important types of rehabilitation include muscle and ligament rehabilitation for patients with one or more hip, knee, or ankle replacement surgeries. 
     Although procedures such as hip and knee replacement surgery can be very beneficial, the best way to maximize those benefits is through proper rehabilitation. The number of total hip and knee replacements is expected to increase substantially as populations age and individuals live longer. Physical therapy is extremely important in the overall outcome of any joint-replacement surgery. The goals of physical therapy are to prevent contractures, improve patient education, and strengthen muscles through controlled exercises. Contractures result from scarring of the tissues around the joint. Contractures do not permit full range of motion and, therefore, impede mobility of the replaced joint. Once a contracture develops it cannot be stretched or exercised away, it must be released with orthopedic surgery which is almost always very expensive and physically painful for the patient. 
     Many of the exercises used during rehabilitation from a joint replacement procedure require moving a patient&#39;s limbs, typically the legs, since most joint replacement procedures are for the knee or hip. Most patients do not have the needed strength and/or range of motion after a joint replacement procedure to practice these essential excises properly and frequently enough. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a device and method for aiding in moving a patient&#39;s leg or legs in order to most optimally rehabilitate the patient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a rehabilitation strap including a pair of handles and a strap of adjustable length and a method of using the same. The method includes rehabilitation exercises that an individual may practice after a joint replacement procedure. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention is a rehabilitation device including a flexible elongate body having a first end and a second end, a first D-shaped member flexibly coupled to the first end of said flexible elongate member, a second D-shaped member flexibly coupled to the second end of said flexible elongate member, a first handle attached to the first D-shaped member, a second handle attached to the second D-shaped member, wherein the first D-shaped member, the second D-shaped member, the first handle and the second handle are configured to prevent pinching of a user&#39;s hand when said user is gripping the first handle or the second handle. In another embodiment, the first D-shaped member, the second D-shaped member, the first handle and the second handle are configured to prevent at least one of the first handle and the second handle from contacting the flexible elongate body. In yet another embodiment, a length of the flexible elongate body is adjustable among a plurality of lengths. In still another embodiment, the flexible elongate body is configured as a strap. In still yet another embodiment, the flexible elongate body is configured as a cord. 
     In another embodiment, the invention is a method of rehabilitating a joint, including the steps of providing a flexible elongate body having a first end and a second end, providing a first D-shaped member flexibly coupled to the first end of said flexible elongate member, providing a second D-shaped member flexibly coupled to the second end of said flexible elongate member, providing a first handle attached to the first D-shaped member, providing a second handle attached to the second D-shaped member, wherein the first D-shaped member, the second D-shaped member, the first handle and the second handle are configured to prevent pinching of a user&#39;s hand when said user is gripping the first handle or the second handle, gripping the first handle with a first hand of a user, gripping the second handle with a second hand of the user, positioning a portion of the flexible elongate body on a portion of a limb of the user so as to mechanically couple the flexible elongate body to the limb of the user, and moving the limb at least in part by the user pulling on at least one of the first handle and the second handle, thereby actuating a joint of the user. In yet another embodiment the first D-shaped member, the second D-shaped member, the first handle and the second handle are configured to prevent at least one of the first handle and the second handle from contacting the flexible elongate body. In still another embodiment, a length of the flexible elongate body is adjustable among a plurality of lengths. In yet still another embodiment, the flexible elongate body is configured as a strap. In still yet another embodiment, the flexible elongate body is configured as a cord. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a joint rehabilitation strap made in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the joint rehabilitation strap shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up side perspective view of the buckle of the joint rehabilitation strap shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up plan view of a handle attached to the joint rehabilitation strap made in accordance with the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the handle along line y shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a user in a starting position for assisted leg bends with the aid of the joint rehabilitation strap made in accordance with the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a user in an intermediate position for assisted leg bends with the aid of the joint rehabilitation strap made in accordance with the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a user in a final position for assisted leg bends with the aid of the joint rehabilitation strap made in accordance with the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a user in position for an assisted plantar fasciitis stretch with the aid of the joint rehabilitation strap made in accordance with the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of an instep strap in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the instep strap shown in  FIG. 10  secured to the joint rehabilitation strap shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side perspective view of a user&#39;s foot in the instep strap shown in  FIG. 10  secured to the joint rehabilitation strap shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the handle of the joint rehabilitation strap shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the handle of the joint rehabilitation strap shown in  FIG. 1  with a foam grip covering. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a rehabilitation strap including a pair of handles and a strap of adjustable length and a method of using the same. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , there is shown a rehabilitation strap  10 . The rehabilitation strap  10  includes a flexible elongate body  12  having a first end  14  and a second end  16 . The first end  14  and the second end  16  of flexible elongate body  12  have a first handle  18  and a second handle  20  attached to each respectively. The first handle  18  and the second handle  20  may have a first anti-pinch member  22  and a second anti-pinch member  24  defining a first D-shaped member  26  and a second D-shaped member  28 . The flexible elongate body  12  may have a length adjustment apparatus  30 . Length adjustment apparatus  30  is shown as buckle  32 , however, any length adjustment apparatus capable of maintaining a desired length during exercise could be used. Buckle  32  comprises prongs  34 , bar  36 , apertures  38 , and strap retainer member  40 . If a buckle  32  is used, then flexible elongate body  12  may be formed as two sections, primary flexible elongate body portion  42  and secondary flexible elongate body portion  44 . The first handle  18 , the second handle  20 , the first anti-pinch member  22 , the second anti-pinch member  24 , the first D-shaped member  26  and the second D-shaped member  28  may be connected to flexible elongate body  12  via folding the flexible elongate body  12  over one or more of them and riveting the flexible elongate body  12  to itself with rivets  46  or another fastener as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 . 
     The flexible elongate body  12  may be constructed of any flexible material that can at least substantially maintain its length during rehabilitation exercises. For example, leather, fabrics, woven fabrics, cords, cables, metal cords, metal cables, and even chains. While the material used for the flexible elongate body  12  may be elastic or highly elastic, this is not preferred for many rehabilitation exercises, but could be very useful for other exercises. 
     The first handle  18 , the second handle  20 , the first anti-pinch member  22 , the second anti-pinch member  24 , the first D-shaped member  26  and the second D-shaped member  28  may be formed of any suitable material. However, it is envisioned that they are constructed from at least one polymer or resin. For example, polypropylene could be used to form the first handle  18 , the second handle  20 , the first anti-pinch member  22 , the second anti-pinch member  24 , the first D-shaped member  26  and the second D-shaped member  28 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , there is shown a user  48  using the rehabilitation strap  10  to perform assisted leg bends. This exercise is performed by the user  48  lying on their back  50 , placing the flexible elongate body  12  along the bottom of the user&#39;s foot  54 . The user  48  then bends the user&#39;s knee  52  and concurrently pulls on handles  18  and  20  ( 20  not shown) to apply pressure through the flexible elongate body  12  to increase the bend at the user&#39;s knee  52  and rotate hip  58 . To complete the exercise, the user  48  straightens their knee  52  and hip  58 . This procedure is repeated a number of times during each therapy or exercise session. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a user  48  using the rehabilitation strap  10  to perform an assisted plantar fasciitis stretch. This exercise is performed by the user  48  lying on their back  50 , placing the flexible elongate body  12  along the bottom of the user&#39;s foot  54 , specifically on the balls of the user&#39;s foot  54 . The user  48  then holds this position while concurrently pulling on handles  18  and  20  ( 20  not shown) to apply pressure through the flexible elongate body  12  to stretch the user&#39;s plantar fasciitis. Then this position is held for several seconds or more before the user stops. This procedure is repeated a number of times during each therapy or exercise session. 
     While only two rehabilitation exercises are shown, it is envisioned that many other exercises could be performed. Particularly it is envisioned that the present invention can aid in any exercise that requires a user to move a lower limb or part of a lower limb. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10-12 , the rehabilitation strap  10  can be used with instep strap  60  which can be attached to the flexible elongate body  12  to maintain a desired position on a user&#39;s foot  54 . The instep strap includes a central elongate body  62 , a first hoop strap  64 , a second hoop strap  66 , a first hook strap  68 , and a second hook strap  70 . The first hoop strap  64  is at least, in part, covered with hoop fasteners for fastening to first hook strap  68 , which is at least, in part, covered with hook fasteners. Likewise, the second hoop strap  66  is at least, in part, covered with hoop fasteners for fastening to second hook strap  70 , which is at least, in part, covered with hook fasteners. This arrangement of the first and second hoop straps, and the first and second hook straps allows the instep strap to be secured to the rehabilitation strap  10 , by wrapping the respective straps around the rehabilitation strap  10  to secure the hook and loop fasteners, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . It is a particular advantage for many exercises that the flexible elongate body  12  is positioned at a particular location on a user&#39;s foot. For example, that the flexible elongate body  12  should be positioned on the toes or balls of the feet for stretching the user&#39;s plantar fasciitis, and the flexible elongate body  12  should be positioned at the arch of the user&#39;s foot for assisted leg bends. The instep strap  60  may be configured to contact the upper side of a user&#39;s foot  54  while the flexible elongate body  12  contacts the underside of a user&#39;s foot, thus encircling the foot. In some embodiments, the instep strap  60  will be in a fixed position and not adjustable, while in other embodiments it will be adjustable in length and/or position relative the flexible elongate body  12 . This arrangement of the flexible elongate body  12  and instep strap  60  may form a close fit with the user&#39;s foot or may be a loose fit depending that particular application. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the first handle  18  and the second handle  20  may also be contoured or shaped to fit a user&#39;s hand. Such contouring may include projections or ribs  72  for gripping. Referring to  FIG. 14 , the first handle  18  and the second handle  20  may comprise a softer material, at least at the surface, to aid a user in gripping the handles. The softer material may be a rubber, a rubberized polymer, a foam material, leather, or any suitable material. A foam grip covering  74 , is shown in  FIG. 14 .