Low cost orthosis for toe injuries

Abstract

A low-cost orthosis for the treatment of toe injuries is disclosed. The orthosis is a bilateral, monolithic structure molded from polymeric foam material and having an upper portion adapted to surround the heel, dorsal portions, and toes of a foot, and a lower portion forming an outsole. The outsole has a wedge-shaped, proximal portion which elevates the forefoot, the proximal portion terminating in a cylindrical radius positioned beneath the ball of a user's foot. The distal portion of the outsole is recessed so that during use the orthosis can pivot on the fulcrum formed by the previously described radius, as would occur during ambulation, without the distal end of the orthosis contacting the floor. An insole, formed by the upper surfaces of the outsole of the orthosis is generally planar with a distally positioned recess in the area of a user's toes. The orthosis disclosed mimics true physiology so as to allow a heel strike, pivoting on the ball of the foot, and launching from the ball of the foot while preventing weight-bearing flexion and extension of the toes and protecting the toes from further injury.

1 - 31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . An orthosis for the treatment of toe injuries comprising: 
 a lower portion comprising (a) an outsole and (b) an insole, wherein said insole is formed by the upper surfaces of said outsole, further wherein:    said insole comprises (i) a relatively planar proximal portion that extends from the proximal end of the orthosis and terminates just distal of the ball of a user's foot, and (ii) a relatively planar distal portion connected to said proximal portion by a downwardly sloping beveled surface so as to form a recess that prevents a user's toes from contacting the insole; and    an upper portion comprising (a) a curved vertically projecting rearward portion which conforms closely to the heel of a foot; and (b) two pliable, longitudinal, laterally opposed side portions, each of which curves to wrap around the dorsum of a foot.    
   
   
       33 . The orthosis of  claim 32 , wherein said upper portion further comprises comprising a forward portion attached to the distal end of said insole and comprising a relatively vertical lateral wall positioned at the end of the orthosis to protect the toes from injury during ambulation.  
   
   
       34 . The orthosis of  claim 33 , wherein said lateral wall is attached to the distal portion of said insole and perpendicularly disposed thereto.  
   
   
       35 . The orthosis of  claim 32 , wherein said orthosis is bilaterally symmetrical.  
   
   
       36 . The orthosis of  claim 32 , wherein said orthosis comprises a monolithic structure.  
   
   
       37 . The orthosis of  claim 36 , wherein said monolithic structure is molded from a polymeric foam material.  
   
   
       38 . The orthosis of  claim 37 , wherein said polymeric foam material is selected from the group consisting of closed cell polyethylene foam and closed cell polypropylene foam.  
   
   
       39 . The orthosis of  claim 32 , further comprising a securing mechanism to draw said longitudinal walls about the dorsum of the user's foot.  
   
   
       40 . The orthosis of  claim 40 , wherein said securing mechanism comprises coordinating hook and loop straps.  
   
   
       41 . The orthosis of  claim 32 , wherein said outsole comprises: (i) a proximal portion, extending from the proximal end of the orthosis and terminating in an upwardly sloping curved surface disposed under the ball of a user's foot, that increases in thickness distally so as to cause the insole to be inclined, and (ii) a distal portion, connected to said proximal portion by said curved surface, that is elevated above said proximal portion such that when said orthosis is pivoted on said curved surface during ambulation, the distal end of said outsole does not contact the floor  
   
   
       42 . The orthosis of  claim 41 , wherein the proximal portion of said outsole is wedge-shaped.  
   
   
       43 . The orthosis of  claim 41 , wherein the curved surface of the proximal portion of said outsole has a radius of at least 0.25 inches  
   
   
       44 . The orthosis of  claim 41 , wherein the distal portion of said outsole slopes upwardly distally.  
   
   
       45 . The orthosis of  claim 32 , wherein the angle of inclination of said insole is between five and sixteen degrees.  
   
   
       46 . An orthosis for the treatment of toe injuries comprising: 
 a lower portion comprising (a) an outsole and (b) an insole, wherein said insole is formed by the upper surfaces of said outsole, further wherein:    said outsole comprises: (i) a proximal portion, extending from the proximal end of the orthosis and terminating in an upwardly sloping curved surface disposed under the ball of a user's foot, that increases in thickness distally so as to cause the insole to be inclined, and (ii) a distal portion, connected to said proximal portion by said curved surface, that is elevated above said proximal portion such that when said orthosis is pivoted on said curved surface during ambulation, the distal end of said outsole does not contact the floor, and    said insole comprises (i) a relatively planar proximal portion that extends from the proximal end of the orthosis and terminates just distal of the ball of a user's foot, and (ii) a relatively planar distal portion connected to said proximal portion by a downwardly sloping beveled surface so as to form a recess that prevents a user's toes from contacting the insole; and    an upper portion comprising (a) a curved vertically projecting rearward portion which conforms closely to the heel of a foot; and (b) two pliable, longitudinal, laterally opposed side portions, each of which curves to wrap around the dorsum of a foot.    
   
   
       47 . The orthosis of  claim 46 , wherein said upper portion further comprises comprising a forward portion attached to the distal end of said insole and comprising a relatively vertical lateral wall positioned at the end of the orthosis to protect the toes from injury during ambulation.  
   
   
       48 . The orthosis of  claim 47 , wherein said lateral wall is attached to the distal portion of said insole and perpendicularly disposed thereto.  
   
   
       49 . The orthosis of  claim 46 , wherein said orthosis is bilaterally symmetrical.  
   
   
       50 . The orthosis of  claim 46 , wherein said orthosis comprises a monolithic structure.  
   
   
       51 . The orthosis of  claim 50 , wherein said monolithic structure is molded from a polymeric foam material.  
   
   
       52 . The orthosis of  claim 51 , wherein said polymeric foam material is selected from the group consisting of a closed cell polyethylene foam and a closed cell polypropylene foam.  
   
   
       53 . The orthosis of  claim 46 , further comprising a securing mechanism to draw said longitudinal walls about the dorsum of the user's foot.  
   
   
       54 . The orthosis of  claim 53 , wherein said securing mechanism comprises coordinating hook and loop straps.  
   
   
       55 . The orthosis of  claim 46 , wherein the proximal portion of said outsole is wedge-shaped.  
   
   
       56 . The orthosis of  claim 46 , wherein the curved surface of the proximal portion of said outsole has a radius of at least 0.25 inches  
   
   
       57 . The orthosis of  claim 46 , wherein the distal portion of said outsole slopes upwardly distally.  
   
   
       58 . The orthosis of  claim 46 , wherein the angle of inclination of said insole is between five and sixteen degrees.