Footgear with pressure relief zones

Abstract

Footgear with an inner sole (66) having a grid of removable resilient elements to permit removal of selected elements (68) to provide relief to ulcerated or injured areas of the foot. An air bladder (64) may underlie sole (66), preferably with additional cushioning material (40) within the air bladder. A walker (12) with a soft support (20) may be provided with the inner sole within the support. Some of the removal resilient elements may have a higher density or height than others. The footgear may include an adhesively-backed resilient pad (212) to provide additional support to a region. The footgear may include means for reducing shear stress on a bottom surface of the foot. An edema patch (240) may be provided for covering an open space (248) left after a user has removed a removable section from the grid. The edema patch applies pressure to the afflicted zone of the foot (250) preventing fluids from building up.

1. A walker with pressure relief areas for the foot of a user, said walker having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user, comprising:
 a walker frame including an outer sole and struts extending from said sole upward;    a soft goods support for enclosing the ankle, lower leg and at least a portion of the foot, said support being secured to said frame;    an inner sole mounted in said soft good support, said inner sole including an underlying flexible sheet extending substantially over the entire sole area; and an upper resilient inner sole member extending over and being removably secured to said underlying flexible sheet, said upper resilient inner sole member having a substantially uniform thickness and extending substantially over the entire sole area;    said upper resilient inner sole portion being composed of a plurality of at least 50 separate resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections being removably secured on their lower surfaces to said underlying flexible sheet and said sections together forming a substantially smooth surface for engagement by the foot, said sections being individually removable to provide localized pressure relief to selected areas of the foot; and    aid sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid;    said grid pattern extending over substantially all of said upper inner sole member;    whereby one or a plurality of said sections may be removed at any desired area of the inner sole member to provide a relief zone corresponding to an afflicted zone of a foot.    
     
     
       2. A walker with pressure relief areas for the foot of a user, as defined in  claim 1  wherein said upper resilient sole member includes at least 80 separate resilient sections. 
     
     
       3. A walker as defined in  claim 1  wherein the inner sole portion has a central longitudinal axis, and wherein the inner sole portion is substantially symmetrical about said axis so that the walker may be used for either the left or the right foot and ankle of the user. 
     
     
       4. A walker as defined in  claim 1  wherein said resilient sections are removably secured to said flexible sheet by hook and loop material; whereby said resilient sections may be easily removed and replaced. 
     
     
       5. A walker as defined in  claim 4  wherein some of said separate resilient sections are taller than other of said sections so that a user may arrange said taller sections to custom fit a foot. 
     
     
       6. A walker as defined in  claim 1  wherein said underlying flexible sheet is substantially indentation-free. 
     
     
       7. A walker as defined in  claim 1  wherein some of said separate resilient sections are lower density sections and some are higher density sections so that a user may arrange said higher density sections to create at least one zone of additional support for a foot. 
     
     
       8. A walker as defined in  claim 1  wherein said walker further comprises an additional resilient pad having an aperture and an adhesively-backed lower surface for attaching said additional pad to the upper surface of a plurality of said removable sections, said additional pad providing a region of additional support for a foot. 
     
     
       9. A walker as defined in  claim 1  wherein said walker further includes an edema path comprising a patch of stretch material having an adhesive layer on a lower surface thereof for adhering the edema patch to a top surface of removable sections surrounding a relief zone from which a user has removed other sections, such that the edema patch covers the relief zone. 
     
     
       10. A walker as defined in  claim 9  wherein said edema patch further includes a fluid-impermeable film layer overlying said stretch material for preventing transmission of fluids through said edema patch. 
     
     
       11. A walker as defined in  claim 1  wherein said walker further includes an edema patch comprising a patch of fluid-impermeable film having an adhesive layer on a lower surface thereof for adhering the edema patch to a top surface of sections surrounding a relief zone from which a user has removed other sections, such that the edema patch covers the relief zone. 
     
     
       12. A walker as defined in  claim 11  wherein said edema patch further includes a layer of stretch material overlying said film patch. 
     
     
       13. A walker as defined in  claim 1  wherein said separate resilient sections are hexagonal. 
     
     
       14. A walker as defined in  claim 1  wherein said inner sole includes a plurality of layers, with the layer closest to the foot being substantially softer and more resilient than other layers. 
     
     
       15. A walker as defined in  claim 1  further comprising means connected to said support for extending around the instep to hold the foot back into said support and in engagement with said inner sole. 
     
     
       16. A walker as defined in  claim 1  wherein said inner sole extends to the rear beyond the heel of a patient and upward along and to the rear of the foot of the user. 
     
     
       17. A walker as defined in  claim 1  wherein hook and loop type fabric holds the support to the walker frame. 
     
     
       18. A walker as defined in  claim 1  wherein said walker further comprises a bladder for containing air which is mounted in said walker above said outer sole, and wherein said inner sole is mounted above said bladder. 
     
     
       19. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
 an outer sole;    an inner sole extending substantially over the entire sole area mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of independently vertically movable sections arranged in a grid pattern, said independently vertically movable sections having lower surfaces which are mounted within said footgear and said sections together form a substantially smooth surface for engagement by the foot;    means for independently modifying support of the foot provided at each section location;    said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid; and    said grid of resilient sections comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending over substantially all of said sole area;    wherein said resilient sections have a height, a width and a depth, said height being greater than said width and depth.    
     
     
       20. Footgear as defined in  claim 19  wherein said means for independently modifying the support of the foot comprises independent mechanical retention elements. 
     
     
       21. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, comprising:
 an outer sole;    an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner having a plurality of independently vertically movable sections arranged in a grid pattern, said independently vertically movable sections having lower surfaces which are mounted within said footgear and together form a substantially smooth surface for engagement by the foot;    means for independently modifying the support of the foot provided at each section location;    said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid; and    said grid of resilient sections comprising substantially all of said inner sole;    wherein said resilient sections have a height, a width and a depth, said height being greater than said width and depth; and    said means for independently modifying the support of the foot comprising independent pneumatic sections which a user may puncture to deflate.    
     
     
       22. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user, comprising:
 an outer sole;    an inner sole extending substantially over the entire sole area mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of removable sections that are removable mounted in said footgear and that are arranged in a grid pattern said removable sections having lower surfaces which are removable secured within said footgear and said sections together forming a substantially smooth surface for engagement by the foot said sections being individually removable from said footgear to provide localized relief to selected areas of the foot;    said resilient sections being directly adjacent to one another to form said grid, with substantially no space in between said sections except when at least one of said sections has been removed; and    said grid of resilient sections comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;    wherein said footgear further comprises a bladder for containing fluid, mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, and said removable sections are mounted in said footgear above said bladder.    
     
     
       23. Footgear with pressure relief zones for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user, comprising:
 an outer sole;    an inner sole extending substantially over the entire sole area mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of separate individually mobile resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections being removable secured on each of their lower surfaces to an underlying flexible sheet such that a user may disengage a lower surface of one or more of said sections from said flexible sheet for removal from said footgear, said resilient sections forming a surface for engagement by a foot;    said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid and extending over substantially all of said sole area; and    an edema patch for covering an open space left after a user has removed at least one mobile section from said grid, said edema patch comprising an upper patch body having a lower surface and an adhesive layer on said lower surface for adhering said patch to mobile resilient sections surrounding the open space;    wherein said footgear further comprises a bladder for containing fluid, mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, and said resilient sections are mounted in said footgear above said bladder;    whereby one or a plurality of said adjacent sections may be removed at any desired area of the inner sole to provide relief corresponding to an afflicted zone of the foot, said edema patch being placed over the removed sections to apply pressure to the afflicted zone of the foot, thereby preventing fluids from building up therein.    
     
     
       24. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole extending substantially over the entire sole area mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said resilient sections having lower surfaces which are mounted within said footgear and said sections together form a substantially smooth surface for engagement by the foot, and having upper surfaces which are independently vertically movable;        means for independently modifying support of the foot provided at each section location;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid; and        said grid of resilient sections comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending over substantially all of said sole area;        wherein said resilient sections each comprise at least three layers of progressively different softness and resiliency, with the softest and most resilient layer being closest to the foot; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway to a substantial extent laterally independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along.     
     
     
       25. Footgear as defined in  claim 24  wherein said footgear is a shoe. 
     
     
       26. Footgear as defined in  claim 24  wherein said footgear further comprises a heel portion that extends partially up the heel and ankle area of the user. 
     
     
       27. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user, comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole extending substantially over the entire sole area mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of removable resilient sections that are removable mounted in said footgear and that are arranged in a grid pattern, said removable sections having lower surfaces which are removable secured within said footgear and said sections together forming a substantially smooth surface for engagement by the foot said sections being individually removable from said footgear to provide localized relief to selected areas of the foot;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent to one another to form said grid, with substantially no space in between said sections except when at least one of said sections has been removed;        said grid of resilient sections comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        wherein said resilient sections each comprise at least three layers of progressively different softness and resiliency, with the softest and most resilient layer being closest to the foot; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally to a substantial extent independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along.     
     
     
       28. A pad for footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said pad having a sole area extending for substantially the entire area underlying the foot of a user, comprising:
   an underlying flexible sheet and an upper resilient inner sole member extending over and being removably secure to said underlying flexible sheet, said upper resilient inner sole member having a substantially uniform thickness and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said upper resilient inner sole portion being composed of a plurality of resilient sections, said sections being removably secured on their lower surfaces to said underlying flexible sheet and said sections together forming a grid having a substantially smooth upper surface for engagement by the foot, said sections being individually removable to provide localized pressure relief to selected areas of the foot;        said grid comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        wherein said resilient sections each comprise at least three layers of progressively different softness and resiliency, with the softest and most resilient layer being closest to the foot;        whereby a relief zone corresponding to an afflicted zone of a foot is provided when one or more of said sections is removed; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along.     
     
     
       29. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole extending substantially over the entire sole area mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfaces which are mounted within said footgear and said sections together form a substantially smooth surface for engagement by the foot, and having upper surfaces which are independently vertically movable;        means for independently modifying support of the foot provided at exact section location;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid;        said grid of resilient sections comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending over substantially all of said sole area;        wherein said resilient sections comprise a material that resists compression - set; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally to a substantial extent independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along.     
     
     
       30. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfaces which are separately removably mounted within said footgear, and said sections having upper surfaces which together form a substantially continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot and which are independently vertically movable;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said gird; and        said grid of resilient sections extending over substantially all of said inner sole;        said sections having a height and width, with the height of said sections being at least equal to the width thereof, to permit swaying of said sections, thereby reducing shear forces on the lower surface of the foot;        said footgear having a heel/ankle portion that extends partially up the heel and ankle area of the user;        said footgear including flaps for holding the foot into the footgear, said flaps extending over at least a portion of the upper surface of the foot from both sides of the foot;        arrangements for holding said flaps together to hole the user's foot into the footgear;        said flaps leaving an opening at the front of the footgear so that the toes of the user may extend out beyond the flaps while still resting on said inner sole;       said upper surface of said sections being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally to a substantial extent independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along.     
     
     
       31. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot as defined in  claim 30  wherein said inner sole includes an underlying flexible sheet to which said sections are removably secured; and said sections being secured to said sheet, and said inner sole being secured into said shoe by hook and loop type fastening arrangements. 
     
     
       32. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot as defined in  claim 30  wherein said sections are softer and more resilient adjacent said upper surface as compared with the lower portion of said sections adjacent said lower surfaces. 
     
     
       33. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfaces which are separately removably mounted within said footgear and said sections having upper surfaces which together form a substantially smooth and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot; and which are independently vertically movable;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid;        said grid of resilient sections extending over substantially all of said inner sole;        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally to a substantial extent independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along;        said footgear having a closed heel/ankle portion;        said footgear including upper footgear parts for holding the foot into the footgear, said upper footgear parts extending over at least a portion of the upper surface of the foot from both sides of the foot; and        said upper surface of said resilient sections being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user.     
     
     
       34. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfaces which are separately removably mounted within said footgear, and said sections having upper surfaces which together form a substantially smooth and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot; and which are independently vertically movable;       said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid; and        said grid comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said footgear having a closed heel/ankle portion;        said footgear including upper footgear parts for holding the foot into the footgear, said upper footgear parts extending over at least a portion of the upper surface of the foot;        arrangements for engaging said upper footgear parts to hold the user's foot into the footgear;        said upper surface of said resilient sections being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for enabling said sections to sway laterally to a substantial extent independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot and for reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along.     
     
     
       35. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfaces which are separately removably mounted within said footgear, and said sections having upper surfaces which together form a substantially smooth and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot, and which are independently vertically movable;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form a grid; and        said gird comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said footgear having a closed heel/ankle portion;        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally to a substantial extent independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along; and        said upper surface of said sections being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user.     
     
     
       36. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfaces which are separately removably, mounted within said footgear and said sections having upper surfaces which together form a substantially smooth and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot, and which are independently vertically movable;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form a grid; and        said grid comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;       said upper surface of said sections being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of section that sway laterally to a substantial extent independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along.     
     
     
       37. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot as defined in  claim 36  wherein said inner sole includes an underlying flexible sheet to which said sections are removably secured; and said sections being secured to said sheet, and said inner sole being secured into said shoe by hook and loop type fastening arrangements. 
     
     
       38. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot as defined in  claim 36  wherein said sections are softer and more resilient adjacent said upper surface as compared with the lower portion of said sections adjacent said lower surfaces. 
     
     
       39. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfacers which are separately removably, mounted within said footgear and said sections having upper surfaces which together form a substantially continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot, and which are independently vertically movable;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said gird; and        said grid of resilient sections extending over substantially all of said inner sole;        said upper surface of said sections being of soft resilient material and being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user;        said inner sole including at least  80  of said resilient sections;        said sections being hexagonal in shape and having a linear extent less than  3 / 4  inch; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another to a substantial extent in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the suer walks along.     
     
     
       40. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfaces which are separately removably, mounted within said footgear and said sections having upper surfaces which together form a substantially continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot, and which are independently vertically movable;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form a grid; and        said upper surface of said sections being of soft resilient materials and being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user;       said inner sole including at least  80  of said resilient sections; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another to a substantial extent in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along.     
     
     
       41. Orthopaedic footgear with resilient support for the foot, comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of compressible resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having upper surfaces which are independently vertically movable and which together form a substantially smooth and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot; said inner sole extending for substantially the entire area underlying the foot of the user;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid;        said grid of resilient sections extending over substantially all of said inner sole;        said upper surface of said sections being of soft resilient material and being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another to a substantial extent in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along.     
     
     
       42. Orthopaedic footgear as defined in  claim 41  wherein said sections are hexagonal in cross section. 
     
     
       43. Orthopaedic footgear as defined in  claim 41  wherein said inner sole includes at least  80  sections. 
     
     
       44. Orthopaedic footgear as defined in  claim 41  wherein said sections are less than  3 / 4  inch in transverse extent. 
     
     
       45. Orthopaedic footgear as defined in  claim 41  wherein said sections are individually removably secured within said footgear. 
     
     
       46. Orthopaedic footgear with resilient support for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of compressible resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having upper surfaces which are independently vertically movable and which together form a substantially smooth and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form a grid;        said upper surface of said sections being of soft resilient material and being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user;       said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along;        said grid comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said sections having a height and a transverse extent, with the height being greater than said transverse extent.     
     
     
       47. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfaces which are separately removably mounted within said footgear and said sections having upper surfaces which are independently vertically movable and which together form a substantially smooth and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form a grid; and        said grid of resilient sections extending over substantially all of said inner sole;        said upper surface of said sections being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user;        said sections having a height and a transverse extent, with the height being substantially equal to or greater than said transverse extent; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another to a substantial extent in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along.     
     
     
       48. An orthopaedic footgear as defined in  claim 47  wherein the sections are in contact with one- another.   
     
     
       49. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfaces which are separately removably mounted within said footgear and said sections having upper surfaces which are independently vertically movable and which together form a substantially smooth and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid;        said grid of resilient sections extending over substantially all of said inner sole;       said upper surface of said sections being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally to a substantial extent independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, for reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along.     
     
     
       50. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfaces which are separately removably mounted within said footgear and said sections having upper surfaces which are independently vertically movable and which together form a substantially smooth and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid;        said grid comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said upper surface of said sections being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections of substantial height that sway laterally to a substantial extent independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, and providing means for reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along.     
     
     
       51. Orthopaedic footgear with resilient support for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having upper surfaces which together form a substantially continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot; and which are independently vertically movable;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid;        said upper surface of said sections being of soft resilient material and being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user;        said resilient sections being removable from the footgear;        said gird comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, and constituting means for reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along; and        said sections having a height and a transverse extent, with the height being greater than said transverse extent.     
     
     
       52. Orthopaedic footgear with resilient support for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having upper surfaces which together form a substantially continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot and which are independently vertically movable;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form a grid;        said upper surface of said sections being of soft resilient material and being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user;        said resilient sections being removable from the footgear;        said grid comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, further constituting means for reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along; and        said sections having a height and a transverse extent, with the height being substantially equal to or greater than said transverse extent.     
     
     
       53. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole extending substantially over the entire sole area mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said resilient sections having lower surfaces which are mounted within said footgear and said sections together form a substantially smooth surface for engagement by the foot; and having upper surfaces which are independently vertically movable;        means for independently modifying support of the foot provided at each section location;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid; and        said gird of resilient sections comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending over substantially all of said sole area;        wherein said resilient sections each comprise at least three layers of progressively different softness and resiliency, with the softest and most resilient layer being closest to the foot;        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along, and        said sections having a height and a transverse extent, with the height being substantially equal to or greater than said transverse extent.     
     
     
       54. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user, comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole extending substantially over the entire sole area mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of removable resilient sections that are removable mounted in said footgear and that are arranged in a grid pattern said removable sections having lower surfaces which are removable secured within said footgear and said sections together forming a substantially smooth surface for engagement by the foot said sections being individually removable from said footgear to provide localized relief to selected areas of the foot;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent to one another to form said grid, with substantially no space in between said sections except when at least one of said sections has been removed;        said grid of resilient sections comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        wherein said resilient sections each comprise at least three layer of progressively different softness and resiliency, with the softest and most resilient layer being closest to the foot;        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along;        said sections having a height and a transverse extent, with the height being substantially equal to or greater than said transverse extent.     
     
     
       55. A pad for footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said pad having a sole area extending for substantially the entire area underlying the foot of a user, comprising:
   an underlying flexible sheet and an upper resilient inner sole member extending over and being removably secured to said underlying flexible sheet, said upper resilient inner sole member having a substantially uniform thickness and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said upper resilient inner sole portion being composed of a plurality of resilient sections, said sections being removably secured on their lower surfaces to said underlying flexible sheet and said sections together forming a substantially smooth surface for engagement by the foot, said sections being individually removable to provide localized pressure relief to selected areas of the foot;        wherein said resilient sections each comprise at least three layers of progressively different softness and resiliency, with the softest and most resilient layer being closest to the foot;        said grid comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        whereby a relief zone corresponding to an afflicted zone of a foot is provided when one or more of said sections is removed;        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along; and       said sections having a height and a transverse extent, with the height being substantially equal to or greater than said transverse extent.     
     
     
       56. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole extending substantially over the entire sole area mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfaces which are mounted within said footgear and said sections together form a substantially smooth surface for engagement by the foot; and having upper surfaces which are independently vertically movable;        means for independently modifying support of the foot provided at each section location;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid;        said grid of resilient sections comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending over substantially all of said sole area;        wherein said resilient sections comprise a material that resists compression - set; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally to a substantial extent independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along; and        said sections having a height and a transverse extent, with the height being substantially equal to or greater than said transverse extent.     
     
     
       57. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said section having lower surfaces which are separately removably mounted within said footgear, and said sections having upper surfaces which together form a substantially continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot; and which are independently vertically movable;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form a grid; and        said grid comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said sections having a height and width, with the height of said sections being at least equal to the width thereof, to permit swaying of said sections, thereby reducing shear forces on the lower surface of the foot;        said footgear having a heel/ankle portion that extends partially [only part way] up the heel and ankle area of the user;        said footgear including flaps for holding the foot into the footgear, said flaps extending over at least a portion of the upper surface of the foot from both sides of the foot;        arrangements for holding said flaps together to hold the user's foot into the footgear;       said flaps leaving an opening at the front of the footgear so that the toes of the user may extend out beyond the flaps while still resting on said inner sole;        said upper surface of said sections being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user;        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally to as substantial extent independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along; and        said sections having a height and a transverse extent, with the height being substantially equal to or greater than said transverse extent.     
     
     
       58. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfaces which are separately removably mounted within said footgear and said sections having upper surfaces which together form a substantially smooth and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot, and which are independently vertically movable;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid;        said grid comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along;        said footgear having a closed heel/ankle portion;        said footgear including upper footgear parts for holding the foot into the footgear, said upper footgear parts extending over at least a portion of the upper surface of the foot from both sides of the foot;        said upper surface of said resilient sections being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user; and        said sections having a height and a transverse extent, with the height being substantially equal to or greater than said transverse extent.     
     
     
       59. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfaces which are separately removably mounted within said footgear, and said sections having upper surfaces which together form a substantially smooth and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot; and which are independently vertically movable;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid; and       said grid comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said footgear having a closed heel/ankle portion;        said footgear including upper footgear parts for holding the foot into the footgear, said upper footgear parts extending over at least a portion of the upper surface of the foot;        arrangements for engaging said upper footgear parts to hold the user's foot into the footgear;        said upper surface of said resilient sections being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along; and        said sections having a height and a transverse extent, with the height being substantially equal to or greater than said transverse extent.     
     
     
       60. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said section having lower surfaces which are separately removably mounted within said footgear, and said sections having upper surfaces which together form a substantially smoothed and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot; and which are independently vertically movable;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form a grid;        said grid comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along;        said upper surface of said sections being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user; and        said sections having a height and a transverse extent, with the height being substantially equal to or greater than said transverse extent.     
     
     
       61. Footgear as defined in  claim 60  wherein said means for independently modifying support of the foot at each section location includes the removable fastening of each resilient section into the footgear. 
     
     
       62. Orthopaedic footgear with resilient support for the foot, said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of compressible resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having upper surfaces which are independently vertically movable and which together form a substantially smooth and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot;       said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form a grid;        said upper surface of said sections being of soft resilient material and being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user;        said grid comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along; and        said sections having a height and a transverse extent, with the height being substantially equal to or greater than said transverse extent.     
     
     
       63. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said sections having lower surfaces which are separately removably mounted within said footgear and said sections having upper surfaces which are independently vertically movable and which together form a substantially smooth and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot;        said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form a grid; and        said grid comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said upper surface of said sections being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user;        said sections having a height and a transverse extent, with the height being substantially equal to or greater than said transverse extent; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally independently of one another to a substantial extent in response to forces applied by the foot, thereby reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along.     
     
     
       64. Footgear with pressure relief areas for the foot said footgear having a sole area extending substantially for the entire area underlying the foot of a user comprising:
   an outer sole;        an inner sole mounted in said footgear above said outer sole, said inner sole having a plurality of resilient sections arranged in a grid pattern, said section having lower surfaces which are separately removably mounted within said footgear and said sections having upper surfaces which are independently vertically movable and which together form a substantially smooth and continuous upper surface for engagement by the foot;       said resilient sections being directly adjacent one another to form said grid;        said grid comprising substantially all of said inner sole and extending substantially over the entire sole area;        said upper surface of said sections being directly exposed for direct engagement with the foot of the user or a sock or stocking on the foot of the user; and        said grid pattern of resilient sections constituting means for providing a multiplicity of sections that sway laterally to a substantial extent independently of one another in response to forces applied by the foot, for reducing shear stresses on the bottom of a foot as the user walks along.