Joint alignment and compression assembly and method for performing a rehabilitative treatment regimen

Abstract

A joint alignment and compression assembly including a plurality of alignment members structured to be removably secured to a patient in an operative configuration, the plurality of alignment members being interconnected via a plurality of adjustable uniform compression members. At least one of the alignment members comprises a pelvic alignment member having at least one pair of interconnection members arranged in a horizontal arrangement and structured to facilitate stabilization of the patient's hips when interconnected by adjustable uniform compression members. The assembly also provides for a foot alignment member having a foot securing element, a foot supporting element, and a toe securing element. In addition, a head alignment member is provided to permit alignment and compression of the joints in the patient's head and neck region. A method for performing a rehabilitative treatment regimen utilizing a joint alignment and compression assembly is presented.

1 . A joint alignment and compression assembly comprising: 
 a plurality of alignment members structured to be removably secured to a patient in an operative configuration, at least some of said plurality of alignment members having a plurality of interconnection members securely fastened thereto and disposed in a spaced relation with one another,    at least one adjustable uniform compression member structured to be removably interconnected to different ones of said plurality of interconnection members, each of said different ones of said plurality of interconnection members being secured to a different one of each of a corresponding pair of said plurality of alignment members, and    said adjustable compression member structured to provide a uniform compression along a length thereof when disposed in an elongated disposition.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said operative configuration is at least partially defined by said plurality of alignment members removably secured about the patient in a spaced apart arrangement.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein at least some of said plurality of alignment members are constructed of a plurality of layers of a stretchable and breathable material.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein at least some of said plurality of alignment members are constructed of a water resistant material structured to facilitate implementation of a water based rehabilitative treatment regimen.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein at least some of said plurality of alignment members comprise an adjustable quick release fastener to facilitate removably securing said alignment member about the patient in said operative configuration.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly as recited in  claim 5  wherein said adjustable quick release fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said plurality of alignment members comprises a chest alignment member structured to substantially encircle the patient's chest area when disposed in said operative configuration.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein said chest alignment member comprises at least one expandable attachment member structured to provide a substantially form-fitting relationship of said chest alignment member about the patient's chest area when disposed in said operative configuration.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein said plurality of alignment members comprises a pelvic alignment member structured to substantially encircle the patient's pelvic area when disposed in said operative configuration.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly as recited in  claim 9  wherein said pelvic alignment member comprises at least one expandable attachment member structured to provide a substantially form-fitting relationship of said pelvic alignment member about the patient's pelvic area when disposed in an operative configuration.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly as recited in  claim 9  wherein said plurality of alignment members comprises a head alignment member structured to substantially encircle at least a portion of the patient's head when disposed in said operative configuration.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly as recited in  claim 9  wherein said plurality of alignment members comprises at least one elbow alignment member structured to substantially encircle one of the patient's elbows when disposed in said operative configuration.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly as recited in  claim 9  wherein said plurality of alignment members comprises at least one hand alignment member structured to substantially encircle one of the patient's hands when disposed in said operative configuration.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly as recited in  claim 9  wherein said plurality of alignment members comprises at least one knee alignment member structured to substantially encircle one of the patient's knees when disposed in said operative configuration.  
   
   
       15 . The assembly as recited in  claim 9  wherein said plurality of alignment members comprises at least one foot alignment member structured to substantially encircle one of the patient's feet when disposed in said operative configuration.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly as recited in  claim 15  wherein said foot alignment member comprises a foot securing element structured to be secured overtop a corresponding one of the patient's ankles when disposed in said operative configuration.  
   
   
       17 . The assembly as recited in  claim 15  wherein said foot alignment member comprises a foot supporting element structured to be positioned underneath a corresponding one of the patient's arches when disposed in said operative configuration to facilitate alignment of the patient's foot.  
   
   
       18 . The assembly as recited in  claim 15  wherein said foot alignment member comprises a toe securing element structured to substantially encircle one of the patient's great toes when disposed in said operative configuration to facilitate alignment of the patient's foot.  
   
   
       19 . A joint alignment and compression assembly comprising: 
 a plurality of alignment members structured to be removably secured to a patient in an operative configuration,    at least some of said plurality of alignment members having a plurality of interconnection members securely fastened thereto and disposed in a spaced relation with one another,    at least one of said plurality of alignment members comprising a pelvic alignment member structured to substantially encircle the patient's pelvic area,    said pelvic alignment member comprising at least one expandable attachment portion to provide a substantially form-fitting relationship of said pelvic alignment member about the patient's pelvic area when disposed in said operative configuration,    a plurality of adjustable uniform compression members each structured to be removably interconnected between at least two different ones of said plurality of interconnection members,    at least some of said plurality of adjustable uniform compression members structured to interconnect corresponding ones of said plurality of alignment members when disposed in said operative configuration, and    said pelvic alignment member having at least one corresponding pair of interconnection members disposed in a horizontal arrangement along each side of said pelvic alignment member to facilitate stabilization of the patient's hips when one of said plurality of adjustable uniform compression members is removably interconnected thereto.    
   
   
       20 . The assembly as recited in  claim 19  wherein said plurality of alignment members comprises a chest alignment member structured to substantially encircle the patient's chest area when disposed in said operative configuration, said chest alignment member comprising a pair of oppositely disposed shoulders each having at least one interconnection member disposed in a horizontal arrangement secured thereto.  
   
   
       21 . The assembly as recited in  claim 20  wherein said chest alignment member comprises a pair of integral shoulder pads structured to provide a comfortable fit to the patient.  
   
   
       22 . The assembly as recited in  claim 20  wherein said chest alignment member comprises at least one expandable attachment member structured to provide a substantially form-fitting relationship of said chest alignment member about the patient's chest area when disposed in said operative configuration.  
   
   
       23 . The assembly as recited in  claim 20  wherein said plurality of alignment members comprises a head alignment member structured to substantially encircle at least a portion of the patient's head when disposed in said operative configuration, said head alignment member comprising a plurality of loops to facilitate interconnection with at least one of said interconnection members disposed in a horizontal arrangement and secured to one of said shoulders of said chest alignment member via at least one of said adjustable uniform compression members.  
   
   
       24 . The assembly as recited in  claim 23  further comprising at least one free hook to facilitate interconnection of said at least one of said adjustable uniform compression members to at least one of said plurality of loops.  
   
   
       25 . The assembly as recited in  claim 19  wherein said plurality of alignment members comprises at least one foot alignment member structured to substantially encircle at least a portion of one of the patient's feet when disposed in said operative configuration, said foot alignment member comprising a plurality of loops to facilitate interconnection to at least one other of said plurality of alignment members via at least one of said adjustable uniform compression members.  
   
   
       26 . The assembly as recited in  claim 25  further comprising at least one free hook to facilitate interconnection of said at least one of said adjustable uniform compression member to at least one of said plurality of loops.  
   
   
       27 . The assembly as recited in  claim 19  wherein at least some of said plurality of interconnection members are constructed of a nylon material.  
   
   
       28 . The assembly as recited in  claim 27  wherein said nylon material comprises a dye structured to prevent drying and cracking of said plurality of interconnection members.  
   
   
       29 . The assembly as recited in  claim 19  wherein at least some of said plurality of adjustable uniform compression members comprise a vulcanized rubber material structured to provide a uniform compression along a length thereof when disposed in an elongated disposition and a memory such that each of said plurality of adjustable uniform compression members returns to an original shape when disposed in a relaxed disposition.  
   
   
       30 . The assembly as recited in  claim 19  wherein said pelvic alignment member comprises at least one expansion notch structured to facilitate disposing said pelvic alignment member about the waist and pelvic region of a different one of each of a plurality of patients having different physical configurations in a form-fitting relationship when disposed in said operative configuration.  
   
   
       31 . A method for performing a rehabilitative treatment regimen utilizing a joint alignment and compression assembly comprising the steps of: 
 removably securing a plurality of alignment members to a patient in an operative configuration,    removably interconnecting corresponding ones of the plurality of alignment members to one another via a plurality of adjustable uniform compression members,    positioning each of the plurality of adjustable uniform compression members to align the joints of the patient in an operative orientation,    adjusting the tension of each of the plurality of adjustable uniform compression members to provide a preselected compressive force to the joints of the patient, and    executing a predetermined exercise schedule structured to produce a desired therapeutic effect while the plurality of alignment members are disposed in the operative configuration and the plurality of adjustable uniform compression members are adjusted to provide the preselected compressive force to the joints of the patient while aligned in the operative orientation.    
   
   
       32 . The method as recited in  claim 31  further comprising the step of executing the predetermined exercise schedule including a daily exercise period of between substantially about one to four hours per day.  
   
   
       33 . The method as recited in  claim 32  further comprising the step of executing the predetermined exercise schedule including a daily exercise period on each of five days per week.  
   
   
       34 . The method as recited in  claim 33  further comprising the step of executing the predetermined exercise schedule including a daily exercise period on each of five days per week for a period of between substantially about three to four weeks.