A multilayer orthotic/orthosis has a cover layer, a shell layer and a posting layer. The shell layer is formed of a thermoplastic having a moldable temperature. The rigidity of the shell layer, and in particular the rigidity of the thermoplastic is chosen to be of a magnitude to support the portion of the individual at temperatures below the moldable temperature. The shell layer, preferably the thermoplastic, has a flexibility above the moldable temperature to mold the shell layer into a shape to support the portion of the individual. The shell layer has two layers of woven polyester fibers (scrim) on the top and bottom. The scrim gives the plastic strength and prevents it from stretching excessively when molding. These unique properties make the material well suited for stacking multiple layers without having excessive bulking of material top lines. Both sides of the shell layer are coated with a layer of hot melt cement/glue/adhesive for easy attachment of various layers or other materials. One side of the shell layer is connected to one side of the cover layer. A posting layer is arranged on a side of the shell layer diametrically opposite the cover layer, and provides support for the orthotic/orthosis in order to prevent rocking, especially when the orthotic/orthosis is for the foot of the individual.

An article of apparel, such as a sock or a shoe, is disclosed as having a foot-supporting area for extending adjacent to a plantar surface of a foot. The foot-supporting area has various zones of differing thickness that attenuate forces upon the plantar surface to different degrees. The apparel may be manufactured through a process that includes utilizing a force mapping device to obtain data relating to forces upon the plantar surface of the foot. The sock is then formed to have zones of different thickness located to correspond with the areas of the plantar surface subjected to different magnitudes of forces.

Provided is a shoe or device for inserting into a shoe, having a shallow channel on a top side of a contoured insole or shoe, specifically under the 1.sup.st metatarsal shaft of the wearer. The shoe also has a rear region or heel cup positioned to underlying a wearer's calcaneal tuberosity, the rear region being shaped to accommodate a planer surface of the wearer's calcaneal tuberosity, an upper surface of said rear region having a raised portion underlying an area of the wearer's calcaneus immediately forward of the wearer's calcaneus tuberosity.

The present invention is an insert having a raised region that contacts an arch region of a wearer's foot, which may be selectively reinforced with a removable supplemental support. In exemplary embodiments, the insert includes a heel region adapted to receive at least a region of a heel of a wearer, and the raised region has a length situated along a width of the insert and adapted to underlie a calcaneus-midtarsal connection of a foot the wearer. The raised region is defined by a bottom semi-cylindrical surface that forms a cavity below the raised region so that an apex of the bottom semi-cylindrical surface lies above a bottom flat surface of the insert. Inside the cavity, the support is removably coupled to the cavity for selectively increasing or decreasing a rigidity of the raised region of the insert in order to apply a user-selected therapeutic pressure.

A footwear and systems for reducing foot pain or discomfort. An article of footwear includes: an upper; a sole, at least one vibration device disposed within the upper, the vibration device including at least one vibrational element capable of delivering vibrations to a user of the footwear; a controller communicatively connected to the vibration device and configured to control operation of the one or more vibration devices based on instructions regarding operation of the vibration device; and a control unit communicatively connected to the controller and configured to transmit instructions regarding the operation of the vibration device to the controller. Methods for reducing pain and discomfort are provided using the footwear, devices and systems.

Insole (34) for footwear, the insole (34) comprising an anterior arch support (48); and an anterior reinforcing bridge (54) having a raised section (56) for providing resistance against compression of the anterior arch support (48).

A peg insole including an integrally molded unitary foam body covered. The foam body may be covered with a cover layer, such as a stretchable fabric, on a top surface of the foam body opposite the pegs. The foam body is includes a base layer with a plurality of pegs protruding therefrom. The foam body may include a contoured shaped to comfortably fit a patient's foot including, for example, a medial support portion, a lateral support portion, and a heel cup. The peg insole may be used, for example, in a medical shoe. Also provided is a method for forming the peg insole.

An article of apparel, such as a sock or a shoe, is disclosed as having a foot-supporting area for extending adjacent to a plantar surface of a foot. The foot-supporting area has various zones of differing thickness that attenuate forces upon the plantar surface to different degrees. The apparel may be manufactured through a process that includes utilizing a force mapping device to obtain data relating to forces upon the plantar surface of the foot. The sock is then formed to have zones of different thickness located to correspond with the areas of the plantar surface subjected to different magnitudes of forces.

A mobility enhancement device has an elongate strap of flexible material and a slide member having an inner face secured to a first surface of the strap and an outer smooth surface configured for sliding engagement with a floor surface. The strap is secured in a loop about a user's foot or footwear with releasable fastener devices associated with opposite end portions of the strap secured together and the slide member positioned to face downward from a ventral region of the sole of the foot or footwear so that the outer smooth surface is positioned for sliding engagement with a floor surface during ambulation or transfer.

A method and apparatus for generating a custom made orthotic or insole for footwear. Information relating to the pressure applied by the sole of a person's foot is used to custom produce an orthotic or insole for the person by using softer material or different structural components, selectively located at pressure points of a particular individual, to unload pressure on the foot at those points. Pressure readings taken for the foot of an individual identify pressure points for that foot. The pressure points are quantified and the foot is mapped in a grid format on a pressure map. Once mapped, structural components corresponding to a particular pressure value are positioned in the orthotic based on the mapping.