Orthotic insole assembly

Abstract

An orthotic insole assembly including a semi-rigid cradle extending forward from the metatarsal region of the foot to the heel, wherein medial and lateral sidewalls extend upward from the cradle. The cradle includes an aperture in the area of heel impact wherein a heel plug is disposed within the aperture. A resilient, foam, cushioning layer overlies the cradle and the heel plug. A riser is connected to the cushioning layer to provide an elevated region in the area of the first metatarsal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not applicable.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”[0003]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Field of the Invention[0005]The present invention relates to an orthotic insole assembly, and more particularly, to a corrective orthotic insole assembly that orients and locates the foot within the assembly.[0006]2. Description of Related Art[0007]Typical orthotic devices are designed to distribute the stress of weight-bearing areas of the foot to maximize comfort and minimize trauma to the sole of the foot. Such orthotic devices are custom molded to the individual. Alternatively, the orthotic can be configured to “an average foot” (a non-custom device). However, non-custom devices are either significantly flatter than the average foot or fabricated from a sufficiently soft material, so as to accommodate average uses. Such material overly compresses th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The present device provides an orthotic insole assembly which guides and restricts motion of the joints of the foot to improve gait efficiency and reduce the stresses imposed on lower extremity anatomical structures during gait. The orthotic insole assembly resists pronation (a complex foot motion which produces the partial collapse of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot) best seen during the mid-stance phase of the gait cycle.

[0013]Pronation actually consists of the abduction, eversion and dorsiflexion of the forefoot in relation to the rear foot. Because of the close contiguity of the joint involved, pronation is also accompanied by eversion of the heel and internal rotation of the leg and hip. While pronation is a normal part of gait, excessive pronation can be the source of many lower extremity pathologies, including muscle tiredness and inflation, foot and knee joint pain, tendentious, ligament strain and even neurological damage. Excessive pronation also renders the gait less efficient since time and effort are wasted in collapsing, pronating and recovering supination.

Problems solved by technology

While pronation is a normal part of gait, excessive pronation can be the source of many lower extremity pathologies, including muscle tiredness and inflation, foot and knee joint pain, tendentious, ligament strain and even neurological damage.

Excessive pronation also renders the gait less efficient since time and effort are wasted in collapsing, pronating and recovering supination.

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