ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LOWER LIMB ELEVATION AND STABILIZATION
In the context of medical recovery from injury and/or surgery to a lower extremity, a device may be used to provide elevation and support for a patient's foot, including ankle and heal, along with restraint against rotation of the lower leg of a patient. This can protect the knee from injury. The device may include a generally flat main body, two spaced-apart lateral ridges extending along or near lateral edges of the generally flat main body, and a medial depression between the lateral ridges that provides a support surface on which the ankle may be positioned.
1 . A device for supporting and elevating an ankle and heel and restraining medial and lateral rotation of a patient's foot, comprising:
a main body having a generally flat bottom surface;
two spaced-apart lateral ridges extending along or near lateral edges of the generally flat main body; and
a medial depression between the lateral ridges that provides a support surface on which the ankle and heel may be positioned and supported,
wherein the lateral ridges provide inner side surfaces configured to confine and restrain a foot placed therein to limit or prevent medial and lateral rotation of the foot,
wherein the main body terminates proximal to the ankle and/or a distal end of the lower leg so as to not support a calf muscle of the lower leg during use.
2 . A device as in claim 1 , further comprising a ridge extending along or near a distal end of the medial depression distal to a heel of the foot and provide a surface which prevents plantar flexion of the foot.
3 . A device as in claim 2 , wherein the ridge is continuous with the lateral ridges so as to form one continuous ridge.
4 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the support surface is curved.
5 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the support surface is generally flat.
6 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of a proximal upper surface of one of the spaced-apart lateral ridges has a downwardly curving slope declining from an upper extent of the lateral ridge towards a lower extent of the lateral ridge at a proximal end of the device such that the lateral ridge at least partially forms a curved shape.
7 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of a distal upper surface of one of the spaced-apart lateral ridges has a downwardly curving slope declining from an upper extent of the lateral ridge towards a lower extent of the lateral ridge at a distal end of the device such that the lateral ridge at least partially forms a curved shape.
8 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises open cell polymer foam.
9 . A device as in claim 8 , wherein the polymer foam is coated with a flexible, fluid-impermeable polymer coating.
10 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the device comprises radiolucent material.
11 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the main body is configured to maintain, during use, a minimum elevation of the patient's ankle of at least one inch from a platform or surface supporting the device.
12 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the main body has a firmness with sufficient yield to reduce pressure at and provide a comfortable support for high-pressure, soft-tissue areas.
13 . A device as in claim 1 , wherein the medial depression is contoured to approximately fit the contour of one or more of the lower leg, heel, ankle region, and talus of the patient.
14 . A device as in claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary pad configured to be positioned directly beneath the main body to further elevate the patient's ankle during use.
15 . A device for supporting and elevating an ankle and heel and restraining medial and lateral rotation of a patient's foot, comprising:
a main body having a generally flat bottom surface;
two spaced-apart lateral ridges extending along or near lateral edges of the generally flat main body; and
a medial depression between the lateral ridges that provides a support surface on which the ankle and heel may be positioned and supported,
wherein the lateral ridges provide inner side surfaces configured to confine and restrain a foot placed therein to limit or prevent medial and lateral rotation of the foot,
wherein the main body terminates proximal to the ankle and/or a distal end of the lower leg so as to not contact a calf muscle of the lower leg during use,
wherein the main body is configured to maintain a minimum elevation of the patient's ankle of at least one inch above a platform or surface supporting the device.
16 . A device as in claim 15 , further comprising a medial ridge extending along or near a distal end of the medial depression distal to a heel of the foot and provide a surface which prevents plantar flexion of the foot.
17 . A device as in claim 16 , wherein the medial ridge is continuous with the lateral ridges so as to form one continuous ridge.
18 . A method for elevating and restraining a patient's ankle during a recuperative period, such as would be expected following a surgical procedure or injury, comprising:
providing a stable, relatively flat platform;
placing the device of claim 1 on an upper surface of said platform;
positioning the device underneath the ankle region of the patient, thereby elevating the ankle of the patient; and
limiting or preventing ankle and leg rotation to protect a knee of the patient.
19 . A method as in claim 18 , wherein the platform comprises a surgical table or bed.
20 . A method as in claim 19 , wherein the device does not support or elevate the patient's calf muscle.