Pressure ulcer prosthesis and method for treating and/or preventing pressure ulcers

1. A pressure ulcer prosthesis comprising an elongate body to support a patient's limb, said body having:

a longitudinal axis and a longitudinally extending support surface adapted to receive an underside of a limb, said support surface in transverse cross-section being arcuate and concave;

at least one anti-hyperextension means on an outer surface of the prosthesis body proximal a proximal end of the prosthesis, wherein the anti-hyperextension means has a rectangular prismatic shape and follows a contour of the outer surface of the body; and

a distal end with a further surface extending from the support surface so as to diverge from the longitudinal axis such that a portion of the limb adjacent the further surface is relieved from pressure.

2. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein, the prosthesis body has a lower surface that in transverse cross-section is arcuate and concave.

3. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein, the prosthesis body is a shape suitable for accommodating the support surface for the limb and simultaneously providing an appropriate shape capable of enabling a patient wearing the prosthesis to comfortably lie supine on a substantially horizontal surface.

4. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein, the prosthesis body has at least one hole for providing ventilation to an area of the limb on which the prosthesis is placed.

5. The prosthesis of claim 4 , wherein there is a plurality of holes through the prosthesis body.

6. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein, the prosthesis further comprises a liner for lining the support surface.

7. The prosthesis of claim 6 , wherein the liner is formed from a high density foam.

8. The prosthesis of claim 6 , wherein the liner is formed from a low density foam.

9. The prosthesis of claims 6 , wherein, the liner is substantially the same shape as the support surface of the prosthesis body.

10. The prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the prosthesis further comprises at least one reinforcement structure on an outer surface of the prosthesis body for reinforcing the prosthesis' rigidity.

11. The prosthesis of claim 10 , wherein the reinforcement structure is integral with the prosthesis body.

12. The prosthesis of claim 10 wherein the reinforcement structure extends around a perimeter of the outer surface of the prosthesis body just inwardly from an edge of the perimeter.

13. The prosthesis of claim 12 , wherein the reinforcement structure has a width and forms a frame-like structure on an outer surface of the prosthesis body.

14. The prosthesis of claim 10 , wherein the reinforcement structure is essentially block-like and covers almost the entire outer surface of the prosthesis body.

15. The prosthesis of claim 10 , wherein the reinforcement structure is a strip running along a longitudinal axis of the outer surface of the prosthesis body.

16. The prosthesis of claim 10 , wherein, the reinforcement structure is a strip running along a horizontal axis of the outer surface of the prosthesis body.

17. The prosthesis of claim 1 , further including a plurality of reinforcement structures on the outer surface of the prosthesis body running along either longitudinally or transverse of the prosthesis.

18. The prosthesis of claim 10 , wherein the reinforcement structures form a cross-hatched pattern on the outer surface of the prosthesis body, or any other pattern capable of further reinforcing the rigidity of the prosthesis body.

19. The prosthesis of claim 1 , further comprises at least one fitting strap for securing the prosthesis to the patient's limb.

20. The prosthesis of claim 19 , wherein there are two fitting straps each located proximal a respective end of the prosthesis.

21. A method for treating or preventing pressure ulcers in a lower leg of a patient, comprising

(a) providing the pressure ulcer prosthesis of claim 1 , and

(b) securing the elongate body to the underside of the lower leg below the popliteal fossa such that, when the patient is supine on a substantially horizontal surface, the foot of the lower leg is suspended with a lateral malleolus and calcaneus of the foot prevented from coming into contact with the substantially horizontal surface or the elongate body.

22. A prosthesis for treating or preventing pressure ulcers in a lower leg of a patient, the prosthesis comprising:

(a) body means, comprising an elongate body, for supporting the lower leg such that, when the patient is supine on a substantially horizontal surface, a foot of the lower leg is suspended with a lateral malleolus and calcaneus of the foot prevented from coming into contact with the substantially horizontal surface or the body means, the elongate body having a longitudinal axis and a longitudinally extending support surface, said support surface in traverse cross-section being arcuate and concave, said elongate body having a distal end with a further surface extending from the support surface so as to diverge from the longitudinal axis, said elongate body comprising anti-hyperextension means for ensuring that, when the patient is supine on the substantially horizontal surface, the foot is suspended above the substantially horizontal surface at a height that is the same as or lower than a height at which a knee of the lower leg is disposed above the substantially horizontal surface, the anti-hyperextension means being disposed on an outer surface of the elongate body proximal a proximal end of the prosthesis; and

(b) means for securing the elongate body to the lower leg.

23. The prosthesis of claim 1 , including a sleeve within which said body is located.

24. The prosthesis of claim 23 , wherein said sleeve includes a pair of sheet members secured together and enclosing a pocket within which the body is located.

25. The prosthesis of claim 23 , wherein said sleeve is provided with padded areas to engage a patient's ankles.

26. The prosthesis of claim 23 , wherein said sleeve has a cavity to receive an insert.

27. The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the prosthesis is symmetrical about a central longitudinal plane, and is adapted to be worn on either a left or right limb.

28. The prosthesis of claim 10 , wherein the reinforcement structure is connected, or secured by securing means, to the prosthesis body.

29. The prosthesis of claim 22 , wherein, the anti-hyperextension means have a rectangular prismatic shape and follows a contour of the outer surface of the elongate body.