A component for a shoe, intended to be interposed between a foot and the ground, is delimited by an upper surface which, in use, is turned towards the foot. The upper surface comprises a load-bearing region in which at least one recess is made, the recess being configured to receive at least one metatarsal head of the foot, so that in the load-bearing region a plurality of metatarsal support levels is defined, the metatarsal support levels being placed at different heights from one another and being intended to support the metatarsal heads of the foot. The plurality of metatarsal support levels comprises, in the more simplified embodiment, two different metatarsal support levels. In a more complex embodiment, three different metatarsal support levels are provided. In a more complete embodiment, five different metatarsal support levels are provided.

A component for a shoe, intended to be interposed between a foot and the ground, is delimited by an upper surface which, in use, is turned towards the foot. The upper surface comprises a load-bearing region in which at least one recess is made, the recess being configured to receive at least one metatarsal head of the foot, so that in the load-bearing region a plurality of metatarsal support levels is defined, the metatarsal support levels being placed at different heights from one another and being intended to support the metatarsal heads of the foot. The plurality of metatarsal support levels comprises, in the more simplified embodiment, two different metatarsal support levels. In a more complex embodiment, three different metatarsal support levels are provided. In a more complete embodiment, five different metatarsal support levels are 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 plurality of orthotic systems are provided. One bi-layer system is constructed from a single sheet of fabric that is molded into two layers. One tri-layer system includes a base layer; a mid-layer; and an upper layer. The upper layer is joined to the mid-layer and the mid-layer is joined to the base layer. The coupling of the base layer, the mid-layer and the upper layer create a rear spring section, a mid-spring section and a front spring section in which the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended on the proximal heel end of the base layer.

An athletic footwear artificial ligament device includes a flexible band securable around a lower leg above an ankle of a foot of a wearer, a ring disposable adjacent an outer side of the ankle spaced below the flexible band, and a plurality of artificial ligaments coupled to and arrayed about the ring. An upper artificial ligament is attached to the flexible band and extends downward to the ring. A lower artificial ligament is attachable to an upper of the athletic shoe, adjacent to the sole and above the heel, and extends upward to the ring. A forward artificial ligament is attachable to the athletic shoe upper forwardly of the ring, above the sole and spaced forwardly from the heel, and extends rearward to the ring such that the artificial ligaments perform as a second set of ligaments providing sprain protection of the ankle of the foot of the wearer.

In at least some embodiments, an orthotic footbed assembly includes a three-dimensional footbed that closely approximates a size and configuration of a particular foot and at least one orthotic feature additively coupled to the three-dimensional footbed. In at least some other embodiments, a method of making the orthotic footbed assembly includes direct printing of orthotic features onto a 3-D footbed. Another method includes indirect printing of orthotic features and applying these features onto to a 3-D footbed. And yet another method includes direct printing of orthotic features onto a 2-D blank footbed and then conducting a three-dimensional forming operation to make the orthotic footbed assembly.

In at least some embodiments, an orthotic footbed assembly includes a three-dimensional footbed that closely approximates a size and configuration of a particular foot and at least one orthotic feature additively coupled to the three-dimensional footbed. In at least some other embodiments, a method of making the orthotic footbed assembly includes direct printing of orthotic features onto a 3-D footbed. Another method includes indirect printing of orthotic features and applying these features onto to a 3-D footbed. And yet another method includes direct printing of orthotic features onto a 2-D blank footbed and then conducting a three-dimensional forming operation to make the orthotic footbed assembly.

A footwear article configured to accommodate an orthotic device. The footwear article includes a sole and a body. The sole and body extend around and form an interior space sized to receive the user's foot and the orthotic device. The body includes an elastic section configured to expand when the footwear article is worn by the user to increase the size of the interior space to accommodate the user's foot and the orthotic device. The stretching action further applies a force on the user's foot to maintain the position of the orthotic device relative to the foot.

A footwear article configured to accommodate an orthotic device. The footwear article includes a sole and a body. The sole and body extend around and form an interior space sized to receive the user's foot and the orthotic device. The body includes an elastic section configured to expand when the footwear article is worn by the user to increase the size of the interior space to accommodate the user's foot and the orthotic device. The stretching action further applies a force on the user's foot to maintain the position of the orthotic device relative to the foot.

In at least some embodiments, an orthotic footbed assembly includes a three-dimensional footbed that closely approximates a size and configuration of a particular foot and at least one orthotic feature additively coupled to the three-dimensional footbed. In at least some other embodiments, a method of making the orthotic footbed assembly includes direct printing of orthotic features onto a 3-D footbed. Another method includes indirect printing of orthotic features and applying these features onto to a 3-D footbed. And yet another method includes direct printing of orthotic features onto a 2-D blank footbed and then conducting a three-dimensional forming operation to make the orthotic footbed assembly.