Orthotic shoe insert for high-heeled shoes

Abstract

An orthotic insert for a high-heeled shoe may have an asymmetrical heel cup including a depressed central region configured for a heel of a wearer. Features including an elevated medial-side surface along a medial side upper surface declining toward the central region, and a generally longitudinal lateral-side elevation along an upper lateral edge of the heel cup may be configured to provide a predetermined supported calcaneal angle for a wearer, wherein the angle is offset from vertical. An anterior retention structure configured as a rounded hump extending across an anterior region of the heel cup, generally transverse to the elevated medial-side surface, with a middle portion of the rounded hump curved laterally away from a center of the heel cup may be included to prevent anterior calcaneal movement relative to the heel cup.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present patent document claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 214,660, filed Apr. 28, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The invention relates generally to orthotic shoe products. More particularly, the invention pertains to orthotic supports for shoes having a high heel.BACKGROUND[0003]Many women report foot, knee, hip, and low back pain while wearing high heeled shoes. These pains are caused by increased pressure on the ball of the foot due to the foot sliding forward in the shoe, increased duration of time the ball of the foot is on the ground during gait, increased pressure on the medial (big toe) side of the foot, flattened heel pad, shortened Achilles tendon length, lack of terminal knee extension with gait, and altered lumbar lordosis (low back curvature) with wear. Previous attempts have been made to add cushioning to the shoe or drastically change the shape of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In another aspect, embodiments of an orthotic insert configured for installation into a high-heeled shoe may include a heel cup with a concave central region configured for a heel of a wearer; an elevated medial-side surface inclining to a medial side upper surface from the central region; a generally longitudinal lateral-side lip defining an upper lateral edge of the heel cup, wherein the elevated medial-side surface and the lateral side elevation are configured to support a heel pad

Problems solved by technology

Consumers and the persons treating them for pains associated with wearing high heels have characterized many of these previous attempts as ineffective.

Many of them include an expensive aftermarket modification to the shoe that may be visually unattractive to the wearer.

Other previous designs may be manufactured directly into shoes, but not provide a desirable level of comfort.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide support structures that may be installed in a pre-existing high-heeled shoe that will provide comfort and / or reduce discomfort for the wearer by providing structural support and promoting desirable biomechanics, while not providing an undesirable aesthetic appearance.

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