Compression sock for prevention and treatment of foot and ankle injuries

Abstract

A compression sock made from resilient elastic material for the prevention and treatment of foot and ankle injuries. The compression sock having at least two toe sleeves configured to receive one or more toes on the foot. At least one of the toe sleeves having a toe bridge along an upper surface of the toe sleeve and defining a looped opening underneath the toe bridge. A strap configured to pass through the looped opening under the toe bridge so as to be wrapped around the toe sleeve and held in place by the toe bridge. An ankle portion of the sock having a greater density of resilient elastic material than any other portion of the sock so as to provide proprioceptive support to the ankle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention is directed to a compression sock for the prevention and treatment of foot related injuries. More specifically, the compression sock of the present invention has features that address: (1) toe injuries such as turf toe, sprained toes, or broken toes; and (2) ankle sprains, among other injuries.[0002]The design of a sock, especially a sock for athletes or similarly active persons, can have a huge effect on the wearer's comfort and well-being. For example, a wrinkle, seam, rib, or similarly thick area in a sock can create local pressure, friction and / or shear forces against the underlying part of the foot, particularly when worn with shoes. A person may not sense any such thick area until damage to the foot is already done and pain or discomfort results. Continued activity just worsens the damage and increases the pain or discomfort. An athlete or similarly active person participating in a sporting event, particularly one of long ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The compression sock comprises a generally elongated body made from a resilient elastic material. The body of the sock is configured to stretch when placed about a foot and ankle joint and exert compressive pressure thereupon. The sock has two or more toe sleeves on a distal end of the body. Each toe sleeve is configured to receive at least one of the wearer's toes. A toe bridge is provided on at least one of the toe sleeves. The toe bridge is oriented generally parallel to the toe sleeve such that it runs along a longitudinal axis thereof. The toe bridge defines a looped opening, similar to a belt loop, oriented generally transverse to the longitudinal axis.

[0008]In a preferred embodiment, the compression sock comprises two or more toe bridges, one on each toe sleeve. E

Problems solved by technology

A person may not sense any such thick area until damage to the foot is already done and pain or discomfort results.

Continued activity just worsens the damage and increases the pain or discomfort.

It is also possible for an athlete to suffer from the effects of repetitive stress such as friction and skin shear which could result in blisters and reduced performance.

However, such bandages are typically separate from a sock or other protective covering that may be work on a foot.

In addition, such ankle supports typically include hard seams or openings to receive the ankle joint.

Such hard seams or openings can create the problems with pain and discomfort discussed above.

Without pre-wr

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