Lower extremity stretch device

Abstract

An exercise and stretch device for the lower extremity including a base board with foot plate hinged to it. The foot plate being able to be set at different angles to the base board by means of different size side supports which are hinged to the base board. The foot plate has a stop to hold the heel of the foot. The ankle is fixated via a fixation device that can be set at different angles by means of the pulley being used at the back of the device. A patient can starch the lower extremity as a result of the structure being elongated and the ankle fixated.

1 . A device for stretching the ankle joint and posterior muscles of the lower leg by fixating the ankle at different angles while the leg is moved forward comprising of: 
 A base board, which is longer and wider than a foot so it can leverage stability during stretching and provide an area for mounting other components.    A set of side angle supports that are hinged to the base board and allow a foot plate to be supported at different angles to the base    
   
   
       2 . The stretching device according to  claim 1  where the foot plate angle can be adjusted in relation to the base board it is attached to via a hinge. The foot plate angle to the base board is controlled by the selection of the side angle supports which swing in and out to provide three heights or foot plate angle selections, large, small and none. These correspond to zero degrees of dorsi flexion of the ankle to 15 degrees and 25 degrees. 
 Although there are three positions in the example shown, different size side supports and number can be used. The device may be made of wood, plastic or any such material that is strong enough to withstand the stresses applied to it.    
   
   
       3 . The stretching device according to  claim 2  in which the foot plate has a semicircular or ‘V’ shaped heel block that prevents the heel sliding in a posterior direction during the stretch..  
   
   
       4 . The stretching device according to  claim 1  has a means of fixation of the talus or foot so the heel of the patient's foot does not move or lift off the foot plate while stretching. The fixation may be in the form of a looped strap around the front of the foot and ankle or a more general pad across the top of the foot. The strap is angled down to the baseboard and under a fixed device that will allow the fixation strap to slide around during tension adjustment. The strap is long enough to loop around the ankle and be reached by the hands of the user when standing  
   
   
       5 . The stretching device according to  claim 4  has a means of adjusting the angle of pull or fixation on the ankle via the fixation strapping by having a selection of fixed pulleys or similar devices mounted on the base board. 
 The pulleys may be loop bolts as shown or any shape of hard fixture that allows the strap to adjust in tension. The pulley fixation is normally in midline but may be out to the side, to change the angle of fixation further.    
   
   
       6 . The stretching device according to  claim 4  has a means of adjusting the length of the fixation strap in the form of a buckle so the user can pull on the fixation strap in an effective manner.  
   
   
       7 . The stretching device according to  claim 4  has a handle as a means of providing comfort and effective gripping of the fixation strap.  
   
   
       8 . The stretching device according to  claim 1  has hinge system connecting the base board to the foot plate whish allow the angle of the foot plate to change and keep the foot plate stable.  
   
   
       9 . The stretching device according to  claim 1  has a hinge system connecting the side angle supports to the base board, allowing the angle of the foot plate to be changed in relation to the base board with ease and maintaining stability of the invention.  
   
   
       10 . The stretching device according to  claim 1  has a side block that can be placed under either side of the base board to change the angle of the base board in relation to the floor. This allows stretching to occur in the frontal plane in addition to the sagital plane.