Dynamic tensioning reversible orthosis, hammock strap, and related method of use

A shoulder orthosis comprising:

• a base that includes a torso portion configured to extend around a torso of a wearer and a compression mitt including a shoulder portion extending generally across a glenohumeral joint of the wearer from the base anterior to the base posterior and a sleeve portion configured to extend over an upper arm of the wearer, the base configured to secure the shoulder orthosis to the wearer;
• an anterior stability strap having a proximal anterior end, intermediate portion, and a distal sleeve end, the proximal anterior end being selectively joined to the base on an anterior of the base, the anterior stability strap including an intermediate part that extends from the proximal anterior end, over an anterior portion of the shoulder portion of the base, and transitions rearward to a posterior portion of the shoulder portion of the base, extending over the posterior portion to the distal sleeve end of the anterior stability strap, which is disposed on the sleeve portion of the base, the proximal anterior end being adjustably joined with the base so that a preselected tension in the anterior stability strap can be adjusted, thereby providing inferior and posterior support to a glenohumeral joint of the wearer;
• a posterior stability strap having a proximal posterior end, intermediate portion, and a distal sleeve end, the proximal posterior end being selectively joined to the base on a posterior of the base, the posterior stability strap including an intermediate part that extends from the proximal posterior end, over a posterior portion of the shoulder portion of the base, and transitions forward to an anterior portion of the shoulder portion of the base, extending over the anterior portion to the distal sleeve end of the posterior stability strap, which is disposed on the sleeve portion of the base, the proximal posterior end being adjustably joined with the base so that a preselected tension in the posterior stability strap can be adjusted, thereby providing anterior and inferior support to the glenohumeral joint of the wearer;
• a hammock stability strap having a tensioning end, an opposite end, and an intermediate portion extending between the tensioning end and the opposite end;
• the opposite end selectively joined to the posterior of the base, the intermediate portion extending over the shoulder of the wearer, transitioning under the axilla of the wearer's arm with the intermediate portion being at least partially disposed near the axilla and lateral border of the pectoralis, and further transitioning around the torso of the wearer, the tensioning end being selectively joined with the base so that a preselected tension in the hammock stability strap can be established by the wearer or a healthcare provider, thereby providing inferior and multi-directional support to a glenohumeral joint of the wearer.

A method of using a reversible shoulder orthosis comprising:

• providing a reversible shoulder orthosis including a torso portion, a compression mitt having a symmetrical anchor having a channel, an anterior strap routed through the channel of the symmetrical anchor, and a posterior strap routed through the channel of the symmetrical anchor;
• installing the compression mitt on a left or right arm and shoulder of the wearer;
• at least one of:
• pulling the anterior strap to establish a first preselected tension in the anterior stability strap along a first route that is fixed in a first orientation over a shoulder of the wearer due to the anterior strap being slidably guided in the channel of the symmetrical anchor along the first route, the anterior strap having the first preselected tension thereby providing inferior and posterior support to a glenohumeral joint of the wearer;
• and
• pulling the posterior strap to establish a second preselected tension in the posterior stability strap along a second route that is fixed in a second orientation over the shoulder of the wearer due to the posterior strap being slidably guided in the channel of the symmetrical anchor along the second route, the posterior strap having the second preselected tension thereby providing anterior and inferior support to the glenohumeral joint of the wearer.

A method of using a shoulder orthosis with a hammock stability strap comprising:

• providing a hammock stability strap having a tensioning end, two bifurcated ends, and an intermediate portion extending between the tensioning end and the two bifurcated ends, the intermediate portion including a bifurcation crease;
• providing a shoulder orthosis including a torso portion, a compression mitt having stability strap anchor having a first channel and a second channel, an anterior strap and a posterior strap both being routed through the first channel of the anchor, the second channel being divided into two sub-channels to accommodate the hammock stability strap;
• installing the compression mitt on a left or right arm and shoulder of the wearer;
• at least one of:
• pulling the anterior strap to establish a first preselected tension in the anterior stability strap along a first route that is fixed in a first orientation over a shoulder of the wearer due to the anterior strap being slidably guided in the first channel of the anchor along the first route, the anterior strap having the first preselected tension thereby providing inferior and posterior support to a glenohumeral joint of the wearer;
• pulling the posterior strap to establish a second preselected tension in the posterior stability strap along a second route that is fixed in a second orientation over the shoulder of the wearer due to the posterior strap being slidably guided in the first channel of the anchor along the second route, the posterior strap having the second preselected tension thereby providing anterior and inferior support to the glenohumeral joint of the wearer;
• routing the two bifurcated ends of the hammock stability strap through the two sub-channels of the second channel of the anchor, selectively joining the two bifurcated ends to a posterior of the base, routing the tensioning end around the axilla of the wearer's arm disposing the bifurcation crease of the intermediate portion near the of the axilla and lateral border of the pectoralis, and selectively joining the tensioning end with the base to provide a preselected tension in the hammock stability strap, thereby providing inferior and multi-directional support to a glenohumeral joint of the wearer.