Describes are support elements for a sole of a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, a sole and a shoe with such a support element, as well as a method for the manufacture of a support element. As examples, the support element includes a first partial member formed of a first material, and a second partial member formed of a second material. The first partial member is mechanically joined to the second partial member in a connection region, wherein the connection region is configured to allow the first partial member to rotate or slide relative to the second partial member. The first partial member, the second partial member, and the connection region can be co-molded and joined together in a single fabricating step.

A brace includes a bottom having a sole made of a soft material with a tread intended to come in contact with the ground, and a stiffening plate fixed on the sole. A rigid body is provided having a base plate removably connected to the stiffening plate. A monolithic upper is removably connected to the body, and at least one intermediate sole made of a soft material is disposed on the base plate of the body.

An improved sandal with several orthotic benefits is provided. The sandal has a unique combination of features what will be useful for the treatment and prevention of plantar fasciitis. The improved sandal has a medial split in the medial heel section of the sole. The medial split is designed so that it absorbs more energy than the other parts of the heel and promotes a lateral to medial rotation of the heel portion during the wearer's gait. In a preferred embodiment, the sandal will include a rocker bottom sole and raised bed for the big toe that begins its rise at the metatarsophalangeal joint. In an additional preferred embodiment, the sole of the sandal will also include a metatarsal bar that supports the traverse arch and an upward bend that begins to rise from the sole at a point just forward of the end of the medial split and intersects with the metatarsal bar.

An article of footwear includes a sole and an upper that includes a heel end, a toe end, a medial side, and a lateral side. The upper defines a throat between the medial and lateral sides, and the sole and the upper jointly defining a foot cavity. The article of footwear further includes a support member extending from a first side of the article of footwear to a second side of the article of footwear, and an actuator fixedly attached to the support member at the first side of the article of footwear. A securing strap extends across the throat and has a first end operably connected to the actuator and a second end fixedly connected to the second side of the article of footwear.

An article of footwear includes a sole and an upper that includes a heel end, a toe end, a medial side, and a lateral side. The upper defines a throat between the medial and lateral sides, and the sole and the upper jointly defining a foot cavity. The article of footwear further includes a support member extending from a first side of the article of footwear to a second side of the article of footwear, and an actuator fixedly attached to the support member at the first side of the article of footwear. A securing strap extends across the throat and has a first end operably connected to the actuator and a second end fixedly connected to the second side of the article of footwear.

An improved sandal with several orthotic benefits is provided. The sandal has a unique combination of features that will be useful for the treatment and prevention of plantar fasciitis. The improved sandal has a medial split in the medial heel section of the sole. The medial split is designed so that it absorbs more energy than the other parts of the heel and promotes a lateral to medial rotation of the heel portion during the wearer's gait. In a preferred embodiment the sandal will include a rocker bottom sole and raised bed for the big toe that begins its rise at the metatarsophalangeal joint. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sole of the sandal will also include a metatarsal bar that supports the transverse arch and an upward bend that that begins to rise from the sole at a point just forward of the end of the medial split and intersects with the metatarsal bar.

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 footbed system for footwear comprises an insole mechanism, a midsole mechanism, wherein the insole mechanism is positioned on the midsole mechanism, and the outsole mechanism is positioned under the midsole mechanism. The insole mechanism comprises a footbed insole, a heel pad and a forefoot pad. The footbed insole comprises a pad anatomically shaped to correspond to the sole of a human foot, wherein the heel pad is positioned in the hindfoot portion of the footbed insole, and the forefoot pad is positioned in the forefoot portion of the footbed insole. The outsole mechanism comprises an opening for exposing a natural gait line groove of the midsole mechanism.

The present invention teaches a method of making a custom article of footwear. Further, the article of footwear can include a knitted upper and means for cushioning. In addition, the components of the article of footwear can be selected from a wide range of options, and can be easily removed and replaced, as desired.

Therapeutic devices and methods stretching the Achilles tendon. Each device includes base and wedge portions. The wedge portion has heel and toe ends, inside-foot and outside-foot edges, and an upper surface that includes a planar surface portion that lies in a wedge plane and an arcuate surface portion defined by a projection that extends out of the wedge plane. The wedge plane has a nonuniform elevation relative to the base portion as a result of the wedge portion having a fore-aft taper in the fore-aft direction and a lateral taper in the lateral direction. The fore-aft taper and the lateral taper are sufficient so that placement of a user's foot on the upper surface of the wedge portion causes supination and locking of the foot and enables stretching of the Achilles complex, while the arch of the user's foot is against and supported by the arcuate surface portion.