Dorsal foot splint

Abstract

A dorsal foot splint includes a dorsal member having a proximal portion for engaging the dorsal surface of the lower leg and a distal portion for engaging the dorsal surface of the foot. A tension strap is configured to adjust a position between the distal and proximal portions of the dorsal member to vary the tension applied to the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon of a user.

1 . A dorsal foot splint, comprising:
 a dorsal member having a proximal portion for engaging the dorsal surface of the lower leg and a distal portion for engaging the dorsal surface of the foot;   a tension strap to adjust a position between the distal and proximal portions of the dorsal member;   wherein the dorsal member comprises an aperture; and   wherein an indication of the position is viewable through the aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 1  wherein the aperture is formed in the proximal portion of the dorsal member. 
     
     
         3 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 1  wherein the tension strap is viewable through the aperture to provide the indication of the position between the distal and proximal portions of the dorsal member. 
     
     
         4 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 1  wherein the tension strap extends between the distal and proximal portions of the dorsal member. 
     
     
         5 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 4  wherein the tension strap extends along an interior of the dorsal member from an attachment point on the distal portion to a strap hole in the proximal portion, and wherein the aperture is between the attachment point and the strap hole. 
     
     
         6 . The dorsal foot splint of claim of  claim 5  wherein the proximal portion of the dorsal member comprises a pivot bar, and wherein the tension strap extends along the exterior of the proximal portion from the strap hole to the pivot bar. 
     
     
         7 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 6  wherein the position between the proximal and distal portions of the dorsal member is adjusted by pulling the tension strap through the pivot bar. 
     
     
         8 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 7  wherein the tension strap comprises a plurality of indicators, whereby different ones of the indicators are viewable through the aperture as the tension strap is pulled through the pivot bar. 
     
     
         9 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 1  further comprising a pneumatic bladder extending along an interior of the dorsal member. 
     
     
         10 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 1  wherein the dorsal member further comprises a support member to support the ball of the foot, the support member having a rigid member to support the metatarsals of the foot. 
     
     
         11 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 1  wherein the dorsal member further comprises first and second D-rings on the medial and lateral sides, respectively, of the proximal portion of the dorsal member, the dorsal member further comprising a calf strap configured to extend around the calf of the user between the first and second D-rings. 
     
     
         12 . A dorsal foot splint, comprising:
 a dorsal member having a proximal portion for engaging the dorsal surface of the lower leg and a distal portion for engaging the dorsal surface of the foot; and   a tension strap configured to adjust a position between the distal and proximal portions of the dorsal member, the tension strap extending between the distal and proximal portions of the dorsal member along an interior of the dorsal member from an attachment point on the distal portion to a strap hole in the proximal portion.   
     
     
         13 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 12  wherein the dorsal member comprises an aperture, and wherein an indication of the position between the distal and proximal portions of the dorsal member is viewable through the aperture. 
     
     
         14 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 13  wherein the aperture is formed in the proximal portion of the dorsal member. 
     
     
         15 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 13  wherein the tension strap is viewable through the aperture to provide the indication of the position between the distal and proximal portions of the dorsal member. 
     
     
         16 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 13  wherein the aperture is formed in the dorsal member between the attachment point on the distal portion of the dorsal member and the strap hole in the proximal portion of the dorsal member. 
     
     
         17 . The dorsal foot splint of claim of  claim 16  wherein the proximal portion of the dorsal member comprises a pivot bar, and wherein the tension strap extends along the exterior of the proximal portion from the strap hole to the pivot bar, wherein the position between the proximal and distal portions of the dorsal member is adjusted by pulling the tension strap through the pivot bar, and wherein the tension strap comprises a plurality of indicators, whereby different ones of the indicators are viewable through the aperture as the tension strap is pulled through the strap adjuster. 
     
     
         18 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 12  further comprising a pneumatic bladder extending along the interior of the dorsal member. 
     
     
         21 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 12  wherein the dorsal member further comprises a support member to support the ball of the foot, the support member having a rigid member to support the metatarsals of the foot. 
     
     
         22 . The dorsal foot splint of  claim 12  wherein the dorsal member further comprises first and second D-rings on the medial and lateral sides, respectively, of the proximal portion of the dorsal member, the dorsal member further comprising a calf strap configured to extend around the calf of the user between the first and second D-rings. 
     
     
         23 - 30 . (canceled)