| 摘要 |
The apparatus of the present invention stretches the carpal ligament and the flexor retinaculum, as well as the superficial structures and muscles of the hand, in a safe manner under precise control of the patient or a healthcare professional. The preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus includes a first housing with an open side portion adapted and configured to contact and retain the hypothenar region of the patient's hand, with a first edge of the first housing extending along a central longitudinal dorsal portion of the hand, and a second housing with an open side portion adapted and configured to contact and retain the thenar region of the patient's hand, with a second edge of the second housing also extending along a central longitudinal dorsal portion of the hand. A flexible resilient strap is secured to the first housing, and then wrapped around the second housing encompassing the thenar portion of the hand (i.e. around the thumb area), in such a manner as to pull the second housing (and thus the thenar portion of the hand) upward with the first and the second edges of the respective first and second housings serving as a fulcrum around which the hypothenar and thenar portions of the hand are bent. The strap is then secured to itself or to the first and/or the second housing to keep the hypothenar and thenar portions pulled apart during the course of treatment. |
