Hip stabilizer

Abstract

A hip stabilizer for a patient who still has control of the muscles in his leg to prevent atrophy of the muscles, characterized by a non-inflatable, adjustable belt, serving to engage the hips, the belt being adjustable for fitting the hips of any patient; a hip pad disposed on a desired side of the patient when in place, at least one metal biasing means on one of the hip pads for controlling the thigh of the patient at a desired angle of abduction in the range of from 0-90 degrees, preferably 0-15 degrees, with respect to the downwardly extending hip pad; non-inflatable, adjustable thigh engaging mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, the thigh engaging means includes a longitudinally extending member, a deformable plastic pad and a plurality of straps that extend around the pad and the thigh. It is also preferred that suitable padded material be interspersed, or disposed between the respective elements and the body. A pivotal interconnecting means allows the member of the thigh mechanism to be connected pivotally with the belt around the patient. Preferably the interconnecting means includes a means for limiting the degrees of flexion and extension allowed. Suitable details of construction for allowing adjusting of the elements as well as holding in place the buckle are disclosed.