Orthopedic device for aligning joints

Abstract

.Iadd.An orthopedic device for aligning joints, especially intended as an .Iaddend..[.The.]. orthopedic shoe designed for correcting malformations of the foot in infants comprises a rigid posterior part (4) to hold the hindfoot and an interior part (10) to hold the forefoot. These parts 4, 10 are secured to each other through a connecting piece (15) jointed with a ball-and-socket (19) in at least one of the parts (10) and which can be blocked (21) in position. The joint which has three degrees of freedom in the relative position of the posterior (4) and anterior (10) parts permits any adjustment to correct a malformation in the horizontal, vertical and oblique planes, whether or not accompanied by a component of torsion around the direction of deviation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An orthopedic shoe for correcting foot malformations in infants, comprising: (a) a rigid .[.posterior.]. .Iadd.first .Iaddend.part;   (b) a rigid .[.anterior.]. .Iadd.second .Iaddend.part .[.separate.]. .Iadd.separated .Iaddend.from said .[.posterior.]. .Iadd.first .Iaddend.part .Iadd.by a clearance without overlapping.Iaddend.;   (c) a connecting .[.piece.]. .Iadd.rod .Iaddend.interconnecting and securing with respect to one another said .[.posterior.]. .Iadd.first .Iaddend.and .[.anterior.]. .Iadd.second .Iaddend.parts, said connecting .[.piece being in the form of a.]. rod having .[.a first end associated with said posterior part and a second end associated with said anterior part; and,   (d) means associated with said rod which, without deforming the rod, permits relative displacement with at least three degrees of freedom of said posterior and anterior parts and which is securable to immobilize said parts in position.]. .Iadd.at its both ends a spherical part which cooperates with a spherical cup disposed in the one of said rigid first or second parts associated with said rod end and forming a ball and socket joint therein.Iaddend.. .[.   
     
     
       2.  The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said posterior and anterior parts each include a half-sole which are separated from each other by a clearance which allows relative displacement between said half-soles without overlapping..]. .[.3. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said half-soles includes said means associated with said rod which permits relative displacement..]. .[.4. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein said means associated with said rod which permits relative displacement includes a spherical part at least at one of the ends of said rod, said spherical part cooperating with a spherical cup disposed in the half-sole associated with said rod end and forming a ball and socket joint 
     
     
        therein..]. 5. The shoe according to claim .[.4.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein said spherical cup comprises at least two .[.complimentary.]. .Iadd.complementary .Iaddend.shells which can be tightened against each other, thereby permitting said spherical cup to clamp said spherical part to immobilize said .Iadd.ball and socket .Iaddend.joint, or to release said spherical part to allow relative displacement between said .[.half-soles.]. .Iadd.first and second parts.Iaddend.. .[.6. The shoe according to claim 4, wherein one of the ends of said rod includes said spherical part, and the other end of said rod is longitudinally adjustable relative to the half-sole associated therewith..]. .[.7. The shoe according to claim 4, wherein said rod includes a spherical part at both of its ends, and each half-sole includes a spherical cup corresponding to 
     
     
        said each spherical part..]. 8. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said connecting .[.part.]. .Iadd.rod .Iaddend.is interchangeable with other connecting .[.parts.]. .Iadd.rods .Iaddend.of different sizes. .[.9. The shoe according to claim 1, which further includes: (a) a collar secured around the user's leg;   (b) a connecting part interconnecting and securing said posterior part with said collar; and   (c) means permitting relative displacement of said posterior part and said collar with respect to each other..]. .[.10. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said means associated with said rod which permits relative displacement permits relative movement between said collar and said posterior part with at least three degrees of freedom..]. .[.11. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said connecting part comprises a rod and said means associated with said rod which permits relative displacement comprises a spherical part at the end of said rod associated with said posterior part, a spherical cup disposed in said posterior part for receiving said spherical part, and means for clamping said spherical part   
     
     
        in said spherical cup..]. 12. The shoe according to claim .[.4.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein said .[.means associated with said rod which permits relative displacement further.]. .Iadd.ball and socket joint .Iaddend.comprises: .Iadd.a housing mounted on said rigid first and second parts, said spherical cup being formed within said housing; .Iaddend.   a movable block disposed in said .[.half-sole.]. housing .[.said ball and socket joint.]. and moveable against said spherical part to clamp the same in said spherical cup; and   a screw threadably received in said .[.half-sole.]. housing .[.said ball and socket joint,.]. said screw being adapted to move said block to clamp   
     
     
        said spherical part in said spherical cup. .Iadd.13.  An orthopedic device for aligning joints comprising: (a) a rigid first part;   (b) a rigid second part separated from said first part by a clearance without overlapping;   (c) a connecting rod interconnecting and securing with respect to one another said first and second parts, said connecting rod having at its both ends a spherical part which cooperates with a spherical cup disposed in the one of said rigid first or second parts associated with said rod   
     
     
        end and forming a ball and socket joint therein. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14.  The device according to claim 13, wherein said spherical cup comprises at least two complementary shells which can be tightened against each other, thereby permitting said spherical cup to clamp said spherical part to immobilize said ball and socket joint, or to release said spherical part to allow relative displacement between said rigid first and second parts. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. The device according to claim 13, wherein said connecting rod is interchangeable with other connecting rods of different sizes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. The device according to claim 13, which further includes: (a) a collar adapted to be secured around a portion of the user's body;   (b) a connecting part interconnecting and securing said rigid first or second part with said collar; and,   (c) means permitting relative displacement of said first or second part and   
     
     
        said collar with respect to each other. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17.  The device according to claim 13, wherein said ball and socket joint comprises: a housing mounted on said rigid first and second parts, said spherical cup being formed within said housing;   a movable block disposed in said housing and moveable against said spherical part to clamp the same in said spherical cup; and,   a screw threadably received in said housing and moveable against said spherical part to clamp said spherical part in said spherical cup. .Iaddend.