Orthotic Insert

Abstract

A half-orthotic insert beginning at the heel and extending to the metatarsal region of the foot having raised elements that align with the fascia ligament for the purpose of providing relief of plantar fasciitis.

Claims

1. An orthotic insert comprising raised areas that correspond with the fascia ligament of the foot for the purpose of relieving plantar fasciitis.

Description

DRAWINGSFIGURES

[0010] In the drawings, closely-related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows the plantar fascia of the foot with an emphasis of the direction of the force displaced for each step.

[0012] FIG. 2a shows an example embodiment with a heel base, and four bar supports (blue) with space between each. The support bars run perpendicular(ish) to the force from FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 2b shows an example bar-support pattern with five supports.

[0014] FIG. 2c shows an example bar-support patter with five supports radially from the instep (arch).

[0015] FIG. 3 shows potential profile views of the rumble-strip methods with varying patterns.

DRAWINGSDETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In FIG. 1, we outline the nature of the force on the plantar fascia (down-forward) for each step taken. The direction of the force is aligned with the natural formation of the fascia ligament. The fascia connect the heel bones to the metatarsals. Supporting the fascia are both arterial and nerval systems. In FIG. 2a, we describe some basic elements of a preferred half-orthotic embodiment of this corrugated orthotic. This embodiment has a heel cup (in green, the calcaneus region) that allows the orthotic to be firmly located within a shoe; and extends to the base of the metatarsals. The speed-bump rumble strips are colored in blue and intentionally are set perpendicular(ish) to the force of the down-forward step motion. The bump pad and related space are on the top-side of the orthotic coming into direct contact with the foot (with our without hosiery). In this pattern, the first bump pad is approximately one inch in height, made of PPT/plastazote foam, about .sup.th of an inch thick. The remaining bump pads are approximately inch in height, made of a similar material, and each bump pad is separated by about inch of space. The footbed connects the heel plate to all of the bump pads to create the overall orthotic device. In FIG. 2b, we disclose an alternative pattern for the bump pads, each inch in height with a inch space. In FIG. 2c, we disclose a variation of FIG. 2b, where the perpendicular(ish) direction of the bump pads are radially offset based on the inner arch to support pronation and possibly alternative variations could also support supination. In FIG. 3, we show profile views of the variations of the rumble-strip pad patterns where the bump pad, the space, and the attached footbed are shown together.

Operation

[0017] This orthotic device is placed firmly in a pair of shoes (one for the left foot, one for the right foot). The user then performs normal daily activities with the orthotic in place, from simple ambulatory activity to more complex sport regimes.

[0018] Research literature has conflicting opinion about the ability to support the facia with orthogonal bracing using a technique called low-dye taping. This present invention provides an approach anchored to this orthogonal-benefit hypothesis.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE

[0019] Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of the facia support corrugated orthotic will provide relief to the foot pain associated with stress on the plantar facia and even those suffering from micro tears, plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, and so on.

[0020] While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as examples of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the scope should not be determined by the descriptions of the embodiments illustrated, but by the forthcoming legal claims.