ELEVATED SHOULDER ABDUCTION SPLINT

ATTELLE ABDUCTRICE SERVANT A SOULEVER L'EPAULE

English Abstract

An Elevated Shoulder Abduction Splint constructed from rigid
polypropylene/polyethylene or some similar material, partially padded for
comfort, is illustrated. It is a single support for positioning the arm
at a position approximately 70 to 90 degrees with respect to the human
body, in an elevated position. It is placed on the bed, next to the patient,
with particular application to shoulder problems related to rotator cuff
tendonitis and rotator cuff tearing of tendons, for the promotion of natural
healing.

French Abstract

Une attelle d'abduction servant à maintenir l'épaule surélevée, construite en polypropylène/polyéthylène rigide ou en un matériau similaire, partiellement rembourrée pour assurer plus de confort, est illustrée. Il s'agit d'un support unique servant à maintenir le bras surélevé à un angle d'environ 70 à 90 degrés par rapport au corps. L'attelle est placée sur le lit, à côté du patient, et est tout particulièrement indiquée pour les problèmes à l'épaule, dus à une tendinite du sus-épineux et à rupture tendineuse de la coiffe des rotateurs; elle est destinée à favoriser la guérison naturelle.

Claims

Claim
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege
is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An Elevated Shoulder Abduction Splint for supporting the arm of a patient
for the promotion of natural recovery of shoulder ailments with particular
reference to rotator cuff tendonitis and tearing of rotator cuff tendons.
2. A splint, as defined in Claim 1, in which the patient's arm can rest
in a padded channel and on which the patient's hand can rest on an elevated
handle, providing maximum relaxation and lessening of pain during the recovery
process.
3. A splint as in Claim 1, which can be placed on the bed beside the patient's
body, on either side, with an optimum angle with the body of 70 to 90 degrees.
4. An Elevated Shoulder Abduction Splint as in Claim 1, for supporting
the arm of orthopedic patients, comprising of a device made from rigid
polypropylene or polyethylene or a similar material, together with a pad
on which the upper arm rests during recovery.

Description

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Specification
1. This invention relates to an orthopedic splint for -the promotion of
na-tural healing of shoulder ailments, with particular reference to rotator
cuff tendonitis and tearing of rotator cuff tendons.
2. Supports for the shoulder with rotator cuEf problerns have usually consisted
of pillows or bolsters, or styrofoam supports some-times equipped with straps,
which often do not permit adequate ventilation of the armpit, and which
may sometimes lead to a condition commonly known as "freezing" of the s'noulder
joint, which condition is detrimental to the patient's early recovery and
which can cause considerable pain.
3. The shoulder condition in which the rotator cuff tendons are torn often
results in surgery, leading to a long and difficult period of recovery
where a cast is used.
4. Accordingly, there is a need for a device which can be used after surgery
when no cast is used, or for the promotion of natural healing by the body
of rotator cuff patients where no surgery is employed. The invention is
designed to promote this natural healing while assis-ting in prevention
of "freezing" of the shoulder as mentioned above.
5. The invention is utilized by placing it on the bed beside the patient
with the lower portion tuc~ed well into the armpit, and wi-th the patien-t's
head resting on two or three normal pillows. Ihe upper arm rests in the
padded channel and -the hand rests on the hand rest. In this position it
is possible to move the shoulder slightly or "shrugging" periodically,
to assist the prevention of "freezing" of the joint and thereby lessening
pain.

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Drawings
In drawings which illustrate the embodiments of the invention, Figure 1
is a general description of how it is used by the patient. Figure 2 is
a side view of this embodiment~ Figure 3 is a top view of this embodiment
with the patient. Figure 4 is a top view of this embodiment without the
patient. Figure 5 is a 3/~ view of this embodiment.
All components, except the padded channel 1 are construc-ted of rigid
polypropylene or polyethylene, or a similar material, preferably in an
opaque white colour. The device has two identical sides 2, with a one-inch
hole 3, to assist with ventilation. The base ~ is fas-tened to the two sides
2 and the upright support 5. The upper arm support 6 under the padded channel
1, the sides 2, and the base ~ are all made of a 1/3th inch thickness.
The upright support 5 is of a 1/2 inch thickness. The upper arm support
6 can be made in two sizes: a normal size for biceps with a circumference
of 13 inches or less, and a large size for biceps with a circumference
greater than 13 inches. If the larger size is required, the base 6 of the
padded channel 1 should be one inch wider, and the upright suppor-t 5 should
also be accordingly one inch wider.
The resting handle 7, 9 inches long, is to permit a loca-tion for the hand
at -the normal position of rest. The handle 7 is also made of rigid
polypropylene or polyethylene~ is one inch in diameter, and is fastened
to upright support 5 by a screw or plug B.
The embodiment shown in Figure 3 is a view from the top looking down at
the patient as he or she rests on the bed. Ihis view shows the angle at
which the device is placed in relation to the body, with optimum results
between 70 to 90 degrees, with the line of the upper arm and shoulder in
a reasonably straight position.
The lower end of the splint, which is tucked under -the armpit, is open,
as seen in Figure 5, permit-ting ventilation. The design permits -the patient's
shoulder to be "shrugged" or moved slightly periodically, to assist in
the prevention of "freezing" of the shoulder joint.

Representative Drawing