Foot orthosis to relieve pressure on one foot

Abstract

Foot orthosis (1) for relieving pressure on one foot of a user, wherein the foot orthosis (1) comprises a relief shoe (2) for relieving pressure on an anterior part of the foot and a support frame (3) for placement on the lower leg of the user, wherein the relief shoe (2) has a sole (24) with a loaded rear sole area (24a) which is designed with a bearing surface (24b) for resting on a floor (4), and wherein the support frame (3) has adjustable fixing means (32) for attachment to the lower leg and a reversibly mountable connection area (35) in or on the sole (24), wherein the support frame (3) is provided for further relief of the front and middle foot area and can be connected to the relief shoe (2) for rigid force transmission, wherein the support frame (3) comprises: - Adjustable fixation devices (32) for attachment to a lower leg of the user, - a connection area (35) for attachment to the relief shoe (2), - a support shaft (33) for transmitting forces and moments from the adjustable fixing means (32) to the connection area (35) and into the relief shoe (2), wherein the connecting area (35) has two forward-projecting lateral insertion pins which can be inserted into a receptacle of the relief shoe (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a foot orthosis for relieving pressure on a foot.

[0002] Such foot orthoses are orthopedic devices that provide secure support for a foot and lower leg to prevent or reduce certain stresses while walking. For this purpose, the foot orthoses are generally designed as support shells.

[0003] Foot orthoses are used, particularly after foot surgery, to ensure patient mobility and allow weight-bearing on their foot and leg. This relieves the affected foot or foot area of ​​contact forces and distributes the load to other areas of the foot. For example, after hallux valgus or similar surgeries, partial weight-bearing on the foot is beneficial for recovery, as otherwise, muscle atrophy and weakening of the tendons, ligaments, and bones are more likely to occur.

[0004] DE 10 2008 013 382 A1 discloses a support shell arrangement for arrangement on a lower leg with a foot part and a calf part, which are pivotally connected to one another by means of a joint axis.

[0005] It has been shown that known support shell arrangements have a low level of acceptance among users due to their low wearing comfort and the increased effort required to put them on.

[0006] DE 10 2011 101 768 A1 discloses a relief shoe that relieves pressure on a portion of a foot, particularly a forefoot or heel area, and comprises a sole with a loading area and a relieving area, as well as a foot-supporting surface on its upper side for supporting the foot. The relieving area is freestanding and has no contact surface with the ground.

[0007] However, such relief shoes do not provide any additional support functions like orthoses.

[0008] US Patent No. 3,827,430 A describes an orthopedic foot support device with a leg member having an elongated vertical portion and a shoe-supporting portion at its lower end. The shoe-supporting portion is elastically preloaded upward around a pivot point at the lower end of the vertical portion.

[0009] JP 6 307 728 B1 describes another support device in which a support device can be attached to the user's lower leg at its upper end and is angled at its lower end into an elongated leg intended for insertion into the shoe sole. This is intended to exert an elastic preload on the shoe.

[0010] WO 2012 / 155 885 A1 discloses a relief shoe for relieving pressure on a portion of a foot, the relief shoe comprising a sole with a loaded region and a non-loaded region. The loaded region has a support surface on its underside for resting on a floor and a foot-receiving surface on its upper side for receiving the load from the foot. The non-loaded region is free-standing without a support surface on the floor and has an upper side for relieving pressure and receiving a foot region. A step sloping down to the non-loaded region is formed between the upper sides of the loaded and non-loaded regions, the upper side of the non-loaded region sloping down from the step toward the end of the shoe. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, a shaft provided with fixing means is provided at the end of the shoe.This provides additional stabilization of the heel in the heel area of ​​the forefoot relief shoe and increases comfort.

[0011] US 2012 / 0 255 194 A1 discloses an orthosis with a support shaft at the rear end, such that a vertical part and a horizontal part are connected to each other. The horizontal part is attached to a shoe, which can be selected and attached separately by the user. DE 10 2008 013 382 A1 discloses a support shell assembly for placement on a lower leg, comprising a foot part and a calf part. The support shell assembly has two longitudinally extending calf stays arranged laterally to an entry opening of the calf part, and a heel stay connected to the calf stays by a stay connector and extending toward a heel part of the foot part.

[0012] The invention is based on the object of creating a foot orthosis that enables both comfortable accommodation and safe relief of a relevant foot area.

[0013] This object is achieved by a foot orthosis according to claim 1. The subclaims describe preferred developments.

[0014] According to the invention, the foot orthosis comprises a relief shoe and a support frame. The relief shoe accommodates the front and middle areas of the foot in a section sloping toward the front of the shoe. To enhance the relieving effect, a step sloping toward the toe can be provided between the rear sole area of ​​the relief shoe and the forefoot area. The sloping section can preferably begin at the step and have a gradient of, for example, 5-10%, for example, approximately 8%.

[0015] The relief shoe has a sole that is generally sufficiently stiff to deform only slightly or not at all under load. A support surface is formed on the underside of the sole in the rear area for contact with the ground. On the upper side, the sole has a footbed with a support surface to absorb the loaded area of ​​the foot. Thus, the force is transferred from the loaded area of ​​the foot, i.e., the heel area, via the loaded rear area of ​​the sole to the support surface.

[0016] The underside of the relief shoe slopes forwards so that the forefoot area can have a trapezoidal cross-section that tapers towards the front.

[0017] The support frame serves to further relieve the front and middle foot area, preferably encompasses the lower leg, and can be connected to the relief shoe for rigid force transmission. The geometry of the relief shoe interacts with the support frame. The support frame relieves the front and middle foot area due to the geometry of the relief shoe. For this purpose, the support frame has a connecting area, e.g., in the form of insert pins, with which it can be connected to and separated from the relief shoe, preferably manually. According to the invention, the support frame is preferably provided on the rear sole area of ​​the relief shoe and, more preferably, is attached to the rear sole area from behind.

[0018] The connection enables the transfer of forces and moments from the support frame to the load-bearing shoe. Unwanted relative movement between the support frame and the load-bearing shoe is prevented by a manually operable fastening device. This can be achieved, for example, by a tab attached to the load-bearing shoe and secured to the support frame using a hook-and-loop fastener, for example.

[0019] To accommodate the lower leg, the support frame has adjustable fixation means that enclose the shinbone and preferably have a flap to increase comfort. The flap can be made of leather, textile, or plastic, for example, and can have a reinforced structure.

[0020] It is shown that the inventive design of the foot orthosis achieves a surprisingly large improvement in comfort and a significant relief of the front and middle foot area, particularly during the rolling process while walking.

[0021] The forefoot is particularly stressed during walking at the end of the roll-over process. During this phase of the stride, the angle between the shin and the foot is typically significantly less than 90°. However, the foot orthosis prevents this, so that the shin exerts a force on the foot orthosis, which moves the front section of the support shoe downward, thus relieving the forefoot during this stride phase.

[0022] The foot orthosis can be easily disassembled by the user, preferably manually, into the relief shoe and the support frame, which allows for particularly comfortable application. To do this, the relief shoe is first put on, and then the support frame is connected to the relief shoe, while the support frame is also put on.

[0023] In particular, a rail system or a translationally insertable connection can be provided between the relief shoe and the support frame, which on the one hand ensures easy operation during insertion or connection and also ensures stable fastening. In this case, a recess or two lateral recesses can be provided, in particular on the rear area of ​​the relief shoe, preferably on its rear sole area, into which the user inserts connecting areas, e.g. insert pins, of the support frame with a simple operating movement from behind. The insert pins can, for example, run parallel and spaced from one another and are inserted into the recesses at the front. The fixation is then achieved by the fastening means, e.g. a pushed-through tab, e.g. with Velcro.

[0024] Such a connection system also ensures that the relief shoe is not impaired in its functionality and still has a rear support surface and a full-fledged footbed at the top.

[0025] The relief shoe is a fully functional shoe without the support frame that can be used for walking.

[0026] It is also possible to remove only the support frame without removing the relief shoe. This increases comfort without having to remove the relief shoe as well.

[0027] During the recovery process, it is beneficial to gradually increase the load on the forefoot. This helps build muscle and strengthen the tendons, ligaments, and bones.

[0028] The foot orthosis enables the gradual increase in load on the forefoot area by having a step in the back of the sole to maximize relief of the forefoot, which additionally relieves the forefoot area. To increase the load on the forefoot, this step can be removed. The forefoot is subjected to greater load when walking. The load on the forefoot can be increased further by using the foot orthosis without the support frame. If the load on the forefoot increases too much, the load on the forefoot can be reduced again by inserting the step into the back of the sole. Once recovery has progressed, the step can now be removed from the back of the sole, thus increasing the load on the forefoot area.

[0029] The load on the forefoot area can be increased in four steps, thus adapting to the recovery process. A more precise gradation of the load is possible, for example, by inserting different heights.

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a side view of a foot orthosis according to the invention; Fig. 2 a rear view of a foot orthosis according to the invention.

[0031] Fig. Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a foot orthosis 1 comprising a relief shoe 2 and a support frame 3. The relief shoe 2 comprises a sole 24 made of a rigid material, for example, a rigid plastic or wood, and an insert 21 attached to the sole 24, which insert may be one-piece or, as indicated, two-piece and covers the sole 24 at the top. The insert 21 may consist of a front insert 21a and a rear insert 21b and may be formed in a conventional manner from a soft, elastic material and have a thickness of, for example, less than 1 cm.

[0032] The upper material 27, which is made of a flexible material such as plastic or leather, adjoins the sole 24 at the top and allows for entry from above. The upper material 27 is only indicated by dashed lines in the figures, as it is basically designed in a conventional manner. Attachment means 26 are formed on the upper material 27. These attachment means, for example, as straps or bands with hook-and-loop fasteners or detachable adhesive fasteners, enable the fixation of a supported foot in the relief shoe 2, for example by folding the attachment means 26 after entry.

[0033] The sole 24 of the relief shoe 2 has a rear region and a forefoot region 24d. A support surface 24b is formed on the underside of the rear sole region 28, which represents the sole support surface of the entire relief shoe 2 during proper use. The support surface 24b is adjoined to the front and rear by slopes 24g, 24h, for example, with an inclination angle of 45°, which thus form the end of the rear sole region 28 and support landing and take-off. The user will generally perform a slight tilting movement when landing and taking off, which is supported by the slopes 24g, 24h; a full, dynamic rolling movement is generally not performed.

[0034] The unloaded front region 24d adjoins the rear sole region 28 at the front and is offset from the support surface 24b by a step 24j of height h1. In the embodiment shown, the step 24j is thus formed by the front end of the rear sole region 28. The forefoot region 24d does not come into contact with the ground or subsurface 4 during walking. The underside 24e of the forefoot region 24d rises forward, i.e., in the direction v, in this embodiment with a gradient of, for example, 10-20% (for example, approximately 10° relative to the horizontal), but can also have a round shape in cross-section.

[0035] According to the invention, an upper step 25c of, for example, 1 cm can be formed between an upper side 25a of the rear sole region 28 and the forwardly sloping upper side of the forefoot region 25b. The step 25c is advantageously formed vertically, but can in principle also be designed, for example, as a beveled step 25c and have radii. The upper side 25b of the forefoot region 24d subsequently slopes forward from the lower end of the upper step 25c towards the shoe tip 22. The upper side 25b here has, for example, a gradient of 5-17%, for example, approximately 8% gradient. This corresponds to an angle of 2-10° relative to the horizontal. The step 25c of the upper side can be offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the step 24j of the underside.

[0036] The footbed is thus formed by surfaces 25a, 25b, and 25c and is lined with insert 21, which can cause a certain slope of the upper step 25c. Only the upper surface 25a of the rear sole area 28 serves as the loaded foot-bearing surface.

[0037] The forefoot region 24d is longer than the rear sole region 28. Advantageously, the forefoot region 24d occupies more than 50% of the total length, for example, more than 55%.

[0038] The connection between the support frame and the relief shoe is preferably provided in the rear sole area or heel area of ​​the relief shoe.

[0039] The rear sole region 28 of the sole 24, for example, has a receptacle 23 with a lower receiving surface 23a and an upper receiving surface 23c. The insert pins 35 of the support frame 3 are received between the lower receiving surface 23a and the upper receiving surface 23c. The receptacle 23 can have a stop 23b, which serves as a stop for the insert pins 35. The receptacle 23 and the insert pins 35 form a tongue and groove connection on both sides of the relief shoe 2.

[0040] Recording 23 extends in the Fig. 1 in the longitudinal direction of the relief shoe 2 and is open to the rear side of the shoe so that the insert pins 35 of the support frame 3 can be pushed into the shoe from behind.

[0041] The mount 23 can be made of metal, for example, or a durable plastic. The mount 23 is firmly connected to the rear sole region 28 of the sole 24 and can thus transmit forces and moments to the rear sole region 28.

[0042] The receptacle 23 is adapted to the insert pins 35 in such a way that the connecting area 35 can be easily inserted into the receptacle 23 by hand, yet the components are free of play when assembled. Manual removal of the insert pins 35 from the receptacle 23 is also possible.

[0043] An undesired slipping out or loosening of the insert pins 35 from the receptacle 23 is prevented by a fastening means 29, which is attached to the sole 24. The fastening means 29, for example a Velcro fastener, is connected to a fastening means receptacle 34, which is located on a support shaft 33, which forms part of the support frame 3. For this purpose, the fastening means 29 can be guided through a recess 36 in the support shaft 33. The fastening means 29 and the fastening means receptacle 34 can also be designed as a hook-and-eye connection or as detachable locking or friction elements, whereby the positioning of the fastening means 29 and the fastening means receptacle 34 is variable, primarily depending on the fastening means design.

[0044] Alternatively, the reversible, manually created and detachable connection between the relief shoe 2 and the support frame 3, which transfers forces and moments from the support frame 3 to the relief shoe 2, can also be realized with other embodiments.

[0045] For example, the sole 24 has at least two sack-shaped recesses 23 on each side of the rear sole region 28, which advantageously transmit forces into the sole 24 by means of metal reinforcements. The insert pins 35 engage in the sack-shaped recesses 23 in such a way that a secure transmission of force and torque is realized.

[0046] To connect the support frame 3 to the relief shoe 2, the right-hand section of the connecting section 35 is designed to be pivotable or movable relative to the left-hand section, so that the insert pins 35 engage over the bag-shaped recesses 23 on both sides and are pushed into the receptacles 23 for fixing. For this purpose, the support frame 3 can have a mechanism that pivots the connecting sections relative to each other or at least fixes them in the mounted position. The mechanism can be implemented as a lever mechanism or as a threaded drive.

[0047] The support shaft 33 mechanically connects the connecting region 35, which preferably consists of a metal or a fiber-reinforced plastic, with the adjustable fixing means 32 and can be formed, for example, from a plastic or a metal, in particular a light metal.

[0048] The support shaft 33 accommodates two adjustable fastening means 32, e.g. buckles, in an upper region 37, to which it is firmly connected and which, when worn, enclose the wearer's lower leg. The fastening means 32 can be opened to put on the support frame 3. The adjustable fastening means 32 can be adapted to the lower leg geometry of the respective wearer and can be designed, for example, as a Velcro fastener. The adjustable fastening means 32 accommodate a tab 31 at their front end, which, when worn, comes into contact with the front of the wearer's lower leg. The tab 31 absorbs the forces exerted by the lower leg and transmits them through the support frame 3 into the relief shoe.

[0049] The flap 31 increases the wearing comfort of the support frame 3 and reduces excessive strain on the wearer's tissue, but it is essential for the function of the foot orthosis 1. The flap 31 can be made of plastic or leather and can be padded on its rearward-facing side.

[0050] The illustrated foot orthosis 1 can be applied as one part when the support frame 3 is connected to the relief shoe 2, in which the contact means 26 and the adjustable fixing means 32 are opened or released, the foot orthosis is applied and then the contact means 26 and the adjustable fixing means 32 are closed.

[0051] Alternatively, only the relief shoe 2 can be applied. It is also possible to apply the relief shoe 2 and subsequently apply the support frame 3 by inserting the support frame 3 with its connecting area, i.e., its insert pins 35, into the receptacle 23 of the already applied relief shoe 2 and then securing it using the fastening means 29, in order to subsequently close the adjustable fixing means 32.

[0052] It is also possible to put down the support frame 3 without putting down the relief shoe 2 by loosening the adjustable fixing means 32 and the fastening means 29 and removing the support frame 3 with its insert pins 35 from the holder 23.

[0053] This allows the user to directly perceive the difference in the increase in load with and without the support frame and to decide whether he wants to do without the support frame.

[0054] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a rear view of a foot orthosis 1 according to the invention, consisting of the relief shoe 2 and the support frame 3. The rear sole region 28 has a receptacle 23 provided for receiving the connecting region, i.e., the insert pins 35 of the support frame 3. A groove-shaped recess 23 is provided in the sole 24 on the right and left sides of the relief shoe 2.

[0055] The support shaft 33 is connected to the insert pins 35 of the support frame 3 and has a fastening means receptacle 34.

[0056] The fastening means 29, which is fastened to the sole 24, is connected to the fastening means receptacle 34 after the insert pins 35 of the support frame have been inserted into the receptacle 23, so that a relative movement of the support frame 3 to the relief shoe 2 is prevented.

[0057] Adjustable fixing means 32 are attached to the upper portion 37 of the support shaft 33 and are connected to a tab 31. The length of the fixing means 32 can be adjusted by the user to suit his or her needs. List of reference symbols 1 foot orthosis 2 relief shoe 3 support frame 4 Soil or subsoil 21 Insert 21a front insert 21b rear insert 22 front shoe tip 23 Receptacle, e.g. groove-shaped or sack-shaped recesses 23a lower receiving surface 23b stop 23c upper receiving surface 24 sole 24b support surface 24d forefoot area 24e Bottom of the forefoot area 24g front bevel 24h rear slope 24j level 25a Top of the rear sole area 28 25b Top of the forefoot area 24d 25c upper step, bevelled step 26 Investment funds 27 Upper material 28 rear sole area 29 fasteners 31 tab 32 adjustable fixing devices 33 Support shaft 34 Fastener holder 35 Connection area of ​​the support frame 36 Recess of the support shaft 37 upper part of the support shaft h1 height

Claims

[1] Foot orthosis (1) for relieving the foot of a user, wherein the foot orthosis (1) comprises a relief shoe (2) for relieving a front part of the foot and a support frame (3) for arrangement on a lower leg of the user, wherein the relief shoe (2) has a sole (24) with a loaded rear sole region (24a) which is formed with a support surface (24b) for resting on a floor (4), and wherein the support frame (3) has adjustable fixing means (32) for attachment to the lower leg and a connecting area (35) which can be reversibly accommodated in or on the sole (24), wherein the support frame (3) is provided for further relief of the front and middle foot area and can be connected to the relief shoe (2) for rigid force transmission, wherein the support frame (3) comprises: - adjustable fixing means (32) for attachment to a lower leg of the user, - a connecting area (35) for attachment to the relief shoe (2), - a support shaft (33) for transmitting forces and moments from the adjustable fixing means (32) to the connecting area (35) and into the relief shoe (2), wherein the connecting region (35) has two forward-projecting lateral insert pins which can be inserted into a receptacle of the relief shoe (2). [2] Foot orthosis (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the support frame (3) can be placed after the relief shoe (2) and / or placed in front of the relief shoe (2). [3] Foot orthosis (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the adjustable fixing means (32) are designed as buckles and / or the support shaft (33) is designed to transmit forces and moments in the vertical direction from the adjustable fixing means (32) to the connecting region (35) and into the relief shoe (2). [4] Foot orthosis (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the receptacle of the relief shoe (2) has two lateral recesses (23) on the rear sole area (24). [5] Foot orthosis (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support shaft (33) runs on a rear side behind the relief shoe (2), preferably with a receptacle for the fastening means (29), e.g. a push-through tab, for fixing the support frame (3) to the relief shoe (2). [6] Foot orthosis (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the relief shoe (2) has an upper material (27) for enclosing an upper foot region of the foot, preferably with adjustable front support means (26) for fastening to the foot. [7] Foot orthosis (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the relief shoe (2) can be used for walking without the support frame (3). [8] Foot orthosis (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the adjustable fixing means (32) have a tab (31) for engagement with the lower leg. [9] Foot orthosis (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the upper side (25a) of the rear sole area (28) is loaded by the user. [10] Foot orthosis (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the relief shoe (2) has an unloaded forefoot area (24d). [11] Foot orthosis (1) according to claim 10, characterized bythat the upper side (25b) of the forefoot area (24d) slopes down towards a front shoe tip (22) to relieve the load on the front foot. [12] Foot orthosis (1) according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized by that an underside (24e) of the forefoot area (24d) rises towards a front shoe tip (22). [13] Foot orthosis (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by that the forefoot area (24d) is designed without a contact surface on the ground (4). [14] Foot orthosis (1) according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by that between the upper side (25a) of the loaded rear sole region (28) and the upper side (25b) of the unloaded forefoot region (24d) there is formed an upper step (25c) which slopes towards the unloaded forefoot region (24d) and which is preferably removable.

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