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Bedford Times-Register
Bedford - Anyone who has broken a leg or foot and has been sternly warned by their physician not to put any weight on the injured limb, knows just how daunting such directions can be. "Try standing while holding your let up for 5 minutes and then imagine having to do that for several weeks," said Wayne Urban, Bedford resident and co-inventor of Webb's Leg Sling, a device designed to help patients hold an injured leg up when they can't put weight on it. The birth of the leg sling was in 1997 when Robert Webb, Urban's stepson, broke a bone in his foot. "He wasn't allowed to put any weight on his foot and complained that his leg hurt from holding it up," Urban said, "Robert went to the pet store and bought a dog harness which he attached to one end of a bungee cord and the other end was attached to his belt. He was able to hold his leg up when he walked on crutches, and was able to get around easily. Urban, a former certified public accountant, said the leg sling sat in a drawer for several years until last year when he was out of work and decided to try to get a patent on the contraption. "I altered the sling a little bit," Urban said. "Instead of the bungee card attaching to the waist, I changed it to wrap around the shoulder because putting the pressure on the waist can cause problems with the hips." The patented Webb' Leg Sling consists of a padded shoulder harness, elastic mid-section and a shin pad with a foot strap. The sling is used in conjunction with crutches or a walker and the elastic midsection can stretch so the patient can put the injured foot on the floor to prevent falling. "We have extensions for people who are taller or who have a broader chest," Urban added. Urban's wife, Carol said she used the leg sling a few years ago when she injured her foot. "I had injured the same foot before, but I didn't listen to my doctor and I put weight on it and my injured foot was swollen for months," she said. "The second time I injured my foot, I really did keep weight off of it because I used the sling. I was walking normally in about four weeks. Dr. Joel Novack of Maple Heights said he endorses the leg sling and has recommended its use to his podiatric patients. "This device keep the foot from hitting the ground without the patient's need to concentrate on the foot itself and also helps in improving the patient's balance while using crutches," Novack said. "The stress and strain associated with keeping the foot and leg from weight-bearing during the healing process are literarily totally eliminated." Urban said he and Webb received the patent on the leg sling last November. "Last June, we submitted our information and product to the Food and Drug Administration. We were told it would take about 60 days to receive approval; while they checked out the product and researched to see if anyone had anything similar. We finally got approval in November, which was a lot longer than 60 days." Urban said he and Webb have visited some medical expos where in the last few months to promote their product. "So far, we've heard nothing but positive responses," he said. "Were just trying to get our product out there." Urban said he plans to sell the device to physicians and physical therapists and let them distribute them to their patients at their discretion. "The leg sling might not be for everyone," Urban said. "This way a professional can determine that." To get more information on Webb's Leg Sling check out the Web site www.webbslegsling.com. |
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