A heel pad made of a viscoelastic polymer that absorbs shocks and prevents impact related injuries through a low, truncated profile that enables a user to continue to use the original insole. The viscoelastic polymer provides adhesive properties that adheres a rear portion of the original insole to the inside of the shoe, while the leading edge is adjacent between the calcaneus or the heel bone and the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsals during use.

An orthopedic walking boot includes a housing configured to encompass at least a user's foot, a mechanically adjustable ramp insert including a ramp surface and disposed in the housing, an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an elevation angle of the ramp surface, and a mechanically adjustable lift configured to cause the mechanically adjustable ramp insert to descend within the housing as the ramp surface is elevated such that vertical displacement of the user's foot caused by elevation of the ramp surface is substantially attenuated. Related methods are also provided.

An orthopedic walking boot includes a housing configured to encompass at least a user's foot, a mechanically adjustable ramp insert including a ramp surface and disposed in the housing, an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an elevation angle of the ramp surface, and a mechanically adjustable lift configured to cause the mechanically adjustable ramp insert to descend within the housing as the ramp surface is elevated such that vertical displacement of the user's foot caused by elevation of the ramp surface is substantially attenuated. Related methods are also provided.

A heel integration system for a shoe includes an insert configured to be disposed in the shoe and to receive an AFO brace. The insert has a heel portion and an ankle portion. The ankle portion has at least one recess formed on an interior surface thereof. The recess is configured to receive at least one projection of the AFO brace. Advantageously, the heel integration system allows wearers with AFO braces to utilize properly sized shoes. It should be appreciated that the insert provides a predetermined clearance within the shoe for the AFO brace. Additionally, the insert of the heel integration system may militate against damage to the interior of the shoe that may otherwise be caused by friction between the AFO brace and the shoe where the insert is not utilized.

Sole structures and/or articles of footwear include: (a) a frame with a first sidewall that has an opening defined through it; and (b) an interior midsole component including a second sidewall that extends along the first sidewall of the frame. The interior midsole component includes an outwardly extending stem projecting sideways and into the opening. This stem: (a) may extend at least to a location at or adjacent an outer surface of the first sidewall, (b) may be complementary shaped with respect to an interior surface of the opening over at least 25% of an axial length of the opening, and/or (c) may extend beyond an outermost extent of the opening.

An article of footwear is provided having an elevated plate structure incorporated in the sole structure and optionally including a fluid-filled chamber. The elevated plate structure can include an upper plate and a plurality of legs extending downward toward the outsole. End portions of the legs can engage an upper region of the outsole. The elevated plate structure can form a cage region that can optionally include a fluid-filled chamber substantially disposed therein. The elevated plate structure can further include a lower plate disposed at an upper region of the outsole, which can form a lower portion of the cage region. Portions of the legs can be integrated with impact-attenuating members in the heel region in various configurations and can provide features for the impact-attenuating members, such as support, impact-attenuation and adjustable impact-attenuation features.

The present invention is for a footwear apparatus for improved gait bio mechanics. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the footwear apparatus may comprise a heel cup that provides a valgus tilt to a user's good and provides a deep heel cup to adequately support the user's heel. It may also be comprised of a medial arch support member and a midfoot lateral support member, wherein the heel cup, the medial arch, and the midfoot lateral support member stabilize the user's foot in a lateral direction to minimize pronation and heel inversion.

The present invention is for a footwear apparatus for improved gait bio mechanics. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the footwear apparatus may comprise a heel cup that provides a valgus tilt to a user's good and provides a deep heel cup to adequately support the user's heel. It may also be comprised of a medial arch support member and a midfoot lateral support member, wherein the heel cup, the medial arch, and the midfoot lateral support member stabilize the user's foot in a lateral direction to minimize pronation and heel inversion.

A heeled shoe including a heel located in the rear part of the shoe and configured so that it is almost completely hidden from view when the shoe is in use and the use of such shoe.

An article of footwear is provided having an elevated plate structure incorporated in the sole structure and optionally including a fluid-filled chamber. The elevated plate structure can include an upper plate and a plurality of legs extending downward toward the outsole. End portions of the legs can engage an upper region of the outsole. The elevated plate structure can form a cage region that can optionally include a fluid-filled chamber substantially disposed therein. The elevated plate structure can further include a lower plate disposed at an upper region of the outsole, which can form a lower portion of the cage region. Portions of the legs can be integrated with impact-attenuating members in the heel region in various configurations and can provide features for the impact-attenuating members, such as support, impact-attenuation and adjustable impact-attenuation features.