Abstract:
A method and apparatus for treating ankle pain, ankle sprains and ankle swelling. The apparatus includes the strategically located pressure imparting pads which are applied over the ankle of the user in a manner to provide focused anterior pain relieving pressure to the ankle. The apparatus when in place about the users ankle, permits substantially full ankle function.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for treating ankle pain, ankle sprains and ankle swelling. More particularly, the invention concerns a method in which two strategically located pads are applied over the front of the ankle of the patient and a focused, anterior compression is applied to the pads to provide immediate relief of ankle pain.  
         [0003]     2. Discussion of Prior Art  
         [0004]     The prior art is replete with various types of methods and apparatus to support the ankle, both to prevent ankle sprains and to protect the ankle during rehabilitation from ankle sprains and other ankle injuries. A commonly used prior art technique for guarding against ankle sprain and for preventing reinjury of a sprained ankle is to tape the ankle joint in a manner to partially restrict movement of the ankle. Another common prior art technique for protecting the ankle against injury is to provide some type of structural ankle brace that is positioned over the ankle in a manner to support the ankle.  
         [0005]     Exemplary of a prior art structural type ankle brace is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,218 B1 issued to Ascherman. This device comprises an in-the-shoe ankle brace that includes an anklebone cover and an adjustable fastening means for removably affixing the brace to the ankle. Another type of ankle brace, or ankle support, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,527,211 issued to Baker. The Baker ankle support is constructed from two similar pieces of elastic material and includes joints at the ankle region. The Baker support also includes an arch member and an encircling member that encircles the Achilles tendon. Elastic fastening means are provided for tightening the support around the ankle.  
         [0006]     Still another type of ankle support is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,976 issued to Pence. This latter ankle support has a main body portion adapted to extend about the Achilles tendon of the foot along the inner and outer sides of the foot with the tongue portion and overlapping first strap portion passing across the ankle to completely encircle the ankle of the user. The Pence apparatus also includes a stirrup portion that depends from the body portion so as to pass beneath the arch and sole of the foot leaving the heel exposed.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,628 issued to Wehr discloses an ankle encompassing pressure orthosis that is provided in the form of a custom fitted ankle brace comprised of anterior and posterior supports that are connected together at their distal ends by pivot pins. An announced primary object of the Wehr invention is to provide a custom fitted brace, which limits inversion and eversion of the ankle and foot while allowing unhindered dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the ankle and foot.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,810 issued to Brossard discloses a method for controlling the reflex response of the muscles of the ankle joint. An announced object of the Brossard invention is to use a specific mechanical stimulation at an articulated body joint to increase the reflex response and therefore the efficiency of the muscles associated to the joint and hence to prevent the joint muscles from becoming oversolicited and therefore to prevent the joint muscles from suffering from repetitive motion syndromes.  
         [0009]     As will be better understood from the discussion which follows, unlike the prior art methods and apparatus, the method and apparatus of the present invention is directed specifically to treating ankle pain, ankle sprains and ankle swelling by applying focused anterior compression on the anterior/lateral margins of the ankle. Further, the apparatus of the present invention differs from the typical prior art ankle wraps and supports, which typically provide circumferential compression to the ankle. More particularly, unlike the prior art circumferential wraps and supports, the compressive forces exerted by the apparatus of the present invention are uniquely focused to selected specific locations at the front of the ankle, along the margins of the ankle, and proximate the anterior ankle mortise. In sharp contradiction to the prior art support devices which provide circumferential support but do not localize compression to the anterior ankle mortise, the apparatus of the present invention provides a uniquely focused pain relieving compressive forces to the anterior ankle. Similarly, the apparatus of the present invention differs substantially from prior art structural type ankle braces, such as those previously described herein, which are applied medially and laterally with splinting in a stirrup fashion. Uniquely, the apparatus of the present invention allows for full ankle function, without immobilizing the ankle during the time of treatment. In one form of the present invention, the ankle treating apparatus includes a pair of generally oval shaped compressive pads which are applied directly over the anterior/medial and anterior/lateral ankle mortise. These compressive pads are preferably between about 1.5 inches and about 2.5 inches in width and between about 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches in length.  
         [0010]     Compression is applied to both of these pads at an angle of between about 30° and about 45° by means of a uniquely configured split strap measuring about 15 inches in length and about 6 inches in width with a centered heel receiving opening for the receiving heel users.  
         [0011]     In use, the two compressor pads are applied over the front of the ankle, with an anterior axis being between about 110 degrees and about 150 degrees. The focused anterior compression provided by the strategically positioned compression pads allows for immediate relief of pain which emanates from the anterior/medial and anterior/lateral margins of the ankle. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of one form of the apparatus of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a generally diagrammatic view illustrating the initial step in positioning the apparatus about the patient&#39;s ankle.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a generally diagrammatic view illustrating a first relative positioning of the pressure imparting pads of the device.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3B  is a generally diagrammatic view similar to  FIG. 3A , illustrating a second relative positioning of the pressure imparting pads of the device.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a generally diagrammatic view similar to  FIG. 3 , but showing a further step in positioning the device about the ankle of the patient.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a generally diagrammatic view, similar to  FIG. 4  further illustrating the positioning of the device about the patient&#39;s ankle.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is front view of the apparatus as it appears in position about the patient&#39;s ankle.  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the apparatus as it appears in position about the patient&#39;s ankle.  
     
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     By way of brief summary, one form of the apparatus of the present invention for attachment to the ankle of the user for treating ankle pain, ankle sprains and ankle swelling of the user comprises an elongated strap having first and second ends and an apertured central portion for receiving the heel of the user. Adjustably connected to the strap between the first end and the apertured central portion thereof strap is a first generally oval shaped pressure imparting pad and adjustably to the strap connected between a second end and the apertured central portion thereof is a second generally oval shaped pressure imparting pad. Uniquely, the first and second pressure imparting pads can be adjustably connected to the strap in a manner such that the central axis of the second pad extends an angle of between about 110 degrees and about 150 degrees relative to the central axis of the first pad. With this construction, when the first and second ends of the strap are interconnected by the connector means of the invention, the compression pads will focus pain relieving pressure at strategically selected locations on the ankle of the patient.  
         [0022]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for treating ankle pain, ankle sprains and ankle swelling.  
         [0023]     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the aforementioned character in which two strategically located pressure imparting pads are applied over the ankle of the user in a manner to provide focused anterior pain relieving pressure to the ankle.  
         [0024]     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as described in the preceding paragraph in which the apparatus, when in place about the users ankle permits substantially full ankle function.  
         [0025]     Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described which is readily adjustable and easy to use.  
         [0026]     Another object of the invention is provide an apparatus as described in the preceding paragraphs that is of simple construction, is durable in use and one that can be inexpensively manufactured.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , one form of the apparatus of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  14 . In this embodiment of the invention the apparatus comprises a strap  16  having first and second ends  18  and  20  respectively and an apertured heel receiving central portion  22 . As best seen in  FIG. 1 , a first intermediate portion  24  is located between first end  18  and said central portion  22  and a second intermediate portion  26  is located between second end  20  and central portion  22 .  
         [0028]     As indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  first pressure imparting pad  30  is connected to strap  16  proximate the first intermediate portions  24  and a second pressure imparting pad  32  is adjustably connected to strap  16  proximate the second intermediate portion  26 . In a manner presently to be described, first pressure imparting pad  30  is advantageously, adjustably movable between a first location and a second location. In a similar manner, second pressure imparting pad  32  is advantageously, adjustably movable between a third location and a fourth location.  
         [0029]     As previously mentioned, strap  16  is preferably about 15 in. in length and about 6 in. in width with a centered, generally diamond shaped heel receiving opening  16   a  for receiving the heel of the user. In the present form of the invention compression pads  30  and  32  are generally oval in shape and are preferably constructed from a suitable semirigid elastomeric material. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , each of the first and second pressure pads has a central portion  37  of a first thickness and a tapered peripheral portion  39  of a second thickness less than the first thickness. In the present form of the invention pads  30  and  32  are between about 1.5 inches and about 2.5 inches in width and about 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches in length. As previously mentioned, the position of the pads can be strategically adjusted relative to the supporting strap so that each of the pads can be applied directly over the anterior/medial and anterior/lateral ankle mortise of the user.  
         [0030]     Connector means are provided for releasably interconnecting the first and second ends of the strap in a manner to cause the first and second pressure imparting pads to exert a precisely focused pressure on the ankle of the user. This focused anterior compression provided by the strategically positioned compression pads allows for immediate relief of pain, which emanates from the anterior/medial and anterior/lateral margins of the ankle. The connector means of the invention here comprise a connector patch  34  that as connected proximate first end  18  of strap  16  in the manner shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0031]     Connector patch  34  is here provided with a multiplicity of small hooks  34   a  that are so constructed and arranged to releasably grip the surface of the fabric located proximate the second end of the strap in the manner shown in  FIG. 6 . While connector patch  34  can take several forms it is preferably constructed from a material sold under the name and style VELCRO.  
         [0032]     In order to permit adjustment of pads  30  and  32  relative to strap  16 , first and second pad connector means, or pad connector patches  40  and  42  are affixed to strap  16  intermediate its ends in the manner best seen in  FIG. 1 . While these connector patches can take several forms they are also preferably constructed from a material sold under the name and style VELCRO.  
         [0033]     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , similar connector patches  44  and  46  are connected to pads  30  and  32  respectively. Connector patches  44  and  46  are here provided with a multiplicity of small hooks which are adapted to be received within a multiplicity of small loops provided on pad connector patches  40  and  42 . With the construction thus described, each of the patches  30  and  32  can be readily disconnected from connector patches  40  and  42  and repositioned relative thereto in the manner illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . More particularly, as shown in these figure drawings, the first and second pressure imparting pads can be adjustably connected to the strap in a manner such that the central axis  32   a  of said second strap  32  extends an angle of between about 110 degrees and about 150 degrees relative to the central axis  30   a  of first strap  30 . As also shown by  FIGS. 3A and3B , when the device is positioned about the user&#39;s ankle in the manner shown in  FIG. 6 , strategically focused compression is applied to both of the pads at an angle of between about 30° and about 45°.  
         [0034]     In using the apparatus of the invention, with the pads  30  and  32  positioned relative to the strap  16  so that they can be applied directly over the user&#39;s anterior/medial and anterior/lateral ankle mortise, the strap  16  is next positioned about the foot of the user in the manner shown in  FIG. 3  of the drawings. In this position, the heel of the user is disposed within the generally diamond shaped opening  16   a  ( FIGS. 1 and 7 ). This done, the first end  20  of the strap  16  is wrapped about the user&#39;s ankle in the manner shown in  FIG. 4  so that the compression pad  32  is strategically positioned over the ankle mortise M- 1 . Next, the second end  18  of the strap is wrapped about the user&#39;s ankle in the manner shown in  FIG. 5  so as to bring the compression pad  30  into position over the mortise M- 2  ( FIG. 3 ). With the compression pad  30  in engagement with the mortise M- 2 , the connector patch  34  is brought into engagement with the strap  16  in the manner shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  so as to securely affix the apparatus to the ankle of the user with the device thereby secured about the users ankle the strategically positioned compression pads effectively focus pain relieving pressure to the users ankle thereby alleviating the pain and reducing ankle swelling.  
         [0035]     Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.