Adjustable dorsal night splint

Abstract

A dorsal night splint has dynamic adjustable features that allow the patient to adjust the splint while in use to control the stretching of the plantar fascia and Achilles. A semi-rigid flexible frame is included along with a tightening strap that is anchored to the frame and by which the patient can tension the strap and adjust the structure of the frame to fit the patient's desired therapeutic or prophylactic needs.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A splint for stretching a wearer's plantar fascia, comprising:
 a frame having:
 a first portion that extends along a wearer's lower leg; 
 a second portion that extends along a wearer's foot; and 
 a bend portion that spans between the first and second portions; and 
   a tightening strap that extends between the first and second portions, wherein adjustment of the tightening strap stretches the wearer's plantar fascia.   
     
     
         26 . The splint of  claim 25 , wherein:
 the first portion extends away from the bend portion to a first end;   the second portion extends away from the bend portion to a second end; and   adjustment of the tightening strap changes a distance between the first and second ends.   
     
     
         27 . The splint of  claim 26 , wherein adjustment of the tightening strap flexes or relaxes the bend portion. 
     
     
         28 . The splint of  claim 27 , wherein the tightening strap has a first strap end that anchors to one of the first and second portions and a second strap end that is pulled by the user to tighten the splint. 
     
     
         29 . The splint of  claim 28 , further comprising a receptacle positioned on one of the first and second portions of the frame, wherein the strap loops through the receptacle. 
     
     
         30 . The splint of  claim 29 , wherein:
 the receptacle is positioned on the second portion of the frame; and   the tightening strap comprises:
 a first section that extends from the first portion of the frame; 
 a second section that loops through receptacle; and 
 a third section that extends toward the first portion of the frame and secures to the first section. 
   
     
     
         31 . The splint of  claim 30 , wherein the first section of the tightening strap is riveted to the first portion of the frame. 
     
     
         32 . The splint of  claim 25 , further comprising a pull tab at a distal end of the tightening strap. 
     
     
         33 . The splint of  claim 32 , wherein the pull tab is secured to the tightening strap to maintain stretching of the wearer's plantar fascia. 
     
     
         34 . The splint of  claim 33 , further comprising a hook and loop mechanism that secures the pull tab to the tightening strap. 
     
     
         35 . The splint of  claim 33 , wherein the pull tab is secured to the tightening strap at a point that is midway between the first and second portions of the frame. 
     
     
         36 . The splint of  claim 25 , further comprising a forefoot support pad attached to the second portion of the frame. 
     
     
         37 . The splint of  claim 36 , wherein the forefoot support pad is releasably attached to the second portion of the frame by a hook and loop mechanism. 
     
     
         38 . The splint of  claim 36 , wherein the forefoot support pad includes a distal lift area that fits under the user's toes and a proximal support area that fits behind the ball of the user's foot, wherein the distal lift area is thicker than the proximal support area. 
     
     
         39 . The splint of  claim 38 , wherein the forefoot support pad includes a trough spaced between the distal lift area and the proximal support area for receiving the ball of the user's foot. 
     
     
         40 . The splint of  claim 25 , wherein each of the first portion, second portion, and bend portion of the frame are made of a semi-rigid material that bends upon application of a force by the tightening strap and sturdy enough to resist the force in a controlled manner. 
     
     
         41 . A method of applying a splint to stretch a wearer's plantar fascia, comprising:
 securing a first portion of the splint to the wearer's lower leg with a first attaching strap;   securing a second portion of the splint to the wearer's lower leg with a second attaching strap; and   adjusting a tightening strap, wherein adjustment of the tightening strap flexes a bend portion of the splint that spans between the first and second portions and stretches the wearer's plantar fascia.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein adjusting the tightening strap comprises pulling a distal end of the tightening strap and securing the distal end to the tightening strap. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the distal end is secured to the tightening strap by engaging a hook and loop mechanism. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein pulling the distal end comprises pulling the distal end towards the first portion of the splint.