ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DEVELOPING STRENGTH OF INJURED LOWER EXTREMITY MUSCLES Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: medical engineering. SUBSTANCE: method involves carrying out biomechanical and electromyographical examination of patient walking having orthopedic device put on in cases of various versions of the device design. Parameters are calculated based on data received in the examination that describe functional state of muscles when walking with the orthopedic device put on. The most appropriate type of the device design is selected for the particular patient. Synchronization transducer of electronic movement adjustment unit is mounted on lateral crural splint in the region of knee hinge of the orthopedic device and injured (provided with orthesis) extremity muscles electrostimulation course is carried out when the patient walks having the orthopedic device put on during 3-4 weeks. The course consists of procedures administered for 20-60 min daily. After completing a course of electrostimulation, functional changes in muscle state are checked and the device design used by the patient is corrected. The device has additional knee and talocrural articulation units having members for adjusting lengths of splints and femoral and crural semirings and values of shifts of femoral and crural semirings from conditional centers of the corresponding articulations. The device also has easily removable electronic movement adjustment synchronization transducer mounted on the lateral crural splint in the region of the hinged knee joint. EFFECT: enhanced effectiveness of treatment. 14 cl, 11 dwg, 4 tbl