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.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional application 60 / 382,240 filed May 23, 2002.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to the treatment of injuries to the foot, and more particularly, to a low cost orthosis for treating patients with toe injuries. [0003] Toe injuries are extremely common, both sprains and fractures. Treatment generally consists of reducing any fracture and splinting the toe by taping it to an adjacent uninjured toe with gauze between the toes. The patient is given additional padding and tape so that he can revise the splinting which will be required for about one week. Additional treatment includes rest, ice, elevation and anti-inflammatory medication. Comfort may be provided by use of a cane, crutches, or other method which minimizes weight-bearing flexion and extension of the toes. Wearing shoes generally causes increased pain due to confinement and rubbing of the toe by the shoe. Some patients find that wearing a soft slippe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The previously described insole is inclined upward by the increasing thickness of the weight-bearing portion of the outsole. The proximal, heel portion of the insole is surrounded by a more or less vertical wall extending to a height slightly below a user's ankle, the wall being of sufficient thickness, rigidity and height to prevent the heel from lifting from the interior weight-bearing surface when the orthosis is pivoted on the fulcrum formed by the cylindrical radius at the distal end of the proximal portion of the outsole. Two pliable, longitudinal, laterally opposed walls surround the approximately distal half of the proximal portion of the insole and the recessed distal portion of the insole. These longitudinal walls have a height such that, when wrapped partially over both sides of the dorsum of a user's foot, a small gap remains between the ends of these walls atop the dorsum of the foot. The far distal portions of the longitudinal walls wrap over a more or less vertical, lateral wall at the distal end of the distal region of the insole so as to form a toe box of sufficient height and width to protect the toes of a user's foot. The distal end, lateral wall is of sufficient thickness to protect a user's toes from injury due to contact between the orthosis and a fixed object during ambulation. A securing means such as hook and loop straps secures the longitudinal walls about the foot.

Problems solved by technology

Wearing shoes generally causes increased pain due to confinement and rubbing of the toe by the shoe.

This severely limits patient mobility since walking involves a heel strike, pivoting on the ball of the foot, and launching, with the ball of the foot and the toes supporting the patient's weight during the launch.

Use of crutches can limit this flexion and extension, however, patient mobility is limited and no protection is given to the injured toe to prevent additional injury due to accidental contact with fixed objects.

Wearing a soft slipper or a sneaker with the toe section cut off, while providing some patient comfort, will often not totally eliminate weight-bearing flexion and extension of the toes and will expose the injured toes to additional injury since the toes are unprotected.

This unnatural pivot and launch, and the thickness of the platform in the heel area make walking ungainly.

Additionally, an orthosis of this type is of rather complex construction, containing a variety of materials and designed to have a life significantly longer than that generally required for treating a toe injury.

No effective orthosis is available for the treatment of injuries, infections, or inflammation of the toes.

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