Orthopedic device for scapulothoracic stabilization
An orthopedic device is arranged for scapulothoracic stabilization, inclusive of features for biomechanical stabilization of the shoulder, scapula and spine, treated alone or in combination with assembly features for supporting an arm or shoulder. The orthopedic device may be arranged in a garment or shoulder harness such that either may include first and second strap systems for extending over first and second shoulders of a user, respectively, and each of the first and second strap systems forms a “ Figure 9 ” shape about the respective shoulder, with a strap section arranged to extend toward a waist stabilizer that may form part of the orthopedic device.
1. An orthopedic device having anterior and posterior sides, and adapted for securing over first and second opposed shoulders on first and second lateral sides of a user, respectively, the orthopedic device comprising:
a garment having an interior side arranged adjacent to a user's body, and an exterior side opposite the interior side;
a waist stabilizer adapted to secure about a waist and attached to the exterior side of the garment at generally a lower section of the garment; and
a first strap system having first and second anchor portions each having a first end attached to an anterior side of the garment on a first lateral side of the garment, the first anchor portion extends from the first end at an upper section of the garment and is arranged to extend over the exterior side of the garment and a shoulder of a user while being moveable relative to the garment, the second anchor portion extends from the first end at a middle section of the garment and is arranged to extend under an arm of a user over the exterior side of the garment and being movable relative to the garment, the first and second anchor portions bifurcating to join at a first junction on a posterior side of the garment, a third anchor portion extends obliquely from the first junction to removably and selectively secure to a second lateral side of the garment on the waist stabilizer on the anterior side of the garment;
wherein the first and second anchor portions are arranged to be pulled toward the first junction by pulling of the third anchor portion.
2. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second strap system having first and second anchor portions each having a first end attached to the anterior side of the garment on the second lateral side of the garment, the first anchor portion extends from the first end at the upper section of the garment and is arranged to extend over the garment and a shoulder of a user, the second anchor portion extends from the first end at the middle section of the garment and is arranged to extend under an arm of a user, the first and second anchor portions bifurcating to join at a second junction on the posterior side of the garment, a third anchor portion extends obliquely from the second junction to removably secure to the first lateral side of the garment on the waist stabilizer on the anterior side of the garment.
3. The orthopedic device of claim 2 , wherein the first and second junctions overlap one another on the posterior side of the garment.
4. The orthopedic device of claim 2 , wherein the third anchor portion of the first strap system extends in an opposite direction relative to the third anchor portion of the second strap system.
5. The orthopedic device of claim 2 , wherein the garment includes a spinal panel spacing apart first and second shoulder panels, the first anchor portion of the first strap system extending over the first shoulder panel and the first anchor portion of the second strap system extending over the second shoulder panel.
6. The orthopedic device of claim 5 , wherein the spinal panel is elastic.
7. The orthopedic device of claim 5 , wherein the first and second shoulder panels are non-stretchable and substantially inelastic.
8. The orthopedic device of claim 5 , wherein first and second frictional material segments correspond to the first and second shoulder panels, respectively, and have greater frictional properties than the spinal panel, the first and second strap systems extending over the first and second frictional material segments, respectively.
9. The orthopedic device of claim 5 , wherein the garment includes a chest panel located between the upper and middle sections of the anterior side of the garment, the chest panel having different stiffness properties from the first and second shoulder panels.
10. The orthopedic device of claim 5 , wherein the first and second anchor portions of the first strap system are stitched to the first shoulder panel, and freely extend therefrom to the first junction.
11. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the waist stabilizer includes first and second belt arms securable to one another and having first and second anchor portions securing to the garment, respectively.
12. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the third anchor portion of the first strap system includes a stretchable segment and the first and second anchor portions of the first strap system are non-stretchable.
13. The orthopedic device of claim 12 , wherein the stretchable segment extends from the first junction at the posterior side of the garment toward the waist stabilizer on the anterior side of the garment.
14. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the garment is a vest having a closure extending along a length of the anterior side of the garment, thereby dividing the garment into the first and second lateral sides of the garment.
15. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second anchor portions of the first and second strap systems are discontinuous and only secure to one another at the first junction.
16. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , further comprising an anterior plate removably securable to the lower section of the anterior side of the garment.
17. The orthopedic device of claim 16 , wherein the waist stabilizer is arranged to extend and tension over the anterior plate.
18. The orthopedic device of claim 17 , wherein the third anchor portion of the first and second strap systems is arranged to secure to the waist stabilizer and over the anterior plate.
19. The orthopedic device of claim 1 , further comprising a posterior plate securable over the posterior side of the garment.
20. The orthopedic device of claim 19 , wherein the posterior plate is securable onto the interior side of the garment.