ORTHOTIC DEVICE FOR SHOES

Abstract

An orthotic device (10) for use with heeled, dress, flat or sport shoes, the device (10) comprising a body (25), a medial arch support (40) defined by a projection extending upwardly away from the body (25); and a valgus wedge (20) defined by a projection located at a lateral rear foot portion and/or a lateral forefoot portion of the body (25), the valgus wedge (20) being adapted to evert the foot and concentrate the support of the device (10) laterally.

Claims

1. An orthotic device for use with a heeled, dress, flat or sport shoe, the device comprising: a body; a medial arch support defined by a projection extending upwardly away from the body; and a valgus wedge defined by a projection located at a lateral rear foot portion and/or a lateral midfoot portion and/or lateral forefoot portion of the body, the valgus wedge being adapted to evert the foot and concentrate the support of the device laterally.

2. The orthotic device of claim 1, wherein the valgus wedge extends along the orthotic device from a rear foot portion, a midfoot portion through to a forefoot portion.

3. The orthotic device of either of claim 1 or 2, wherein the valgus wedge measures up to 20 mm vertical height on the lateral side of the device relative to the body.

4. The orthotic device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valgus wedge is an internally positioned lateral skive.

5. The orthotic device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the valgus wedge is an external valgus post.

6. The orthotic device of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a lateral arch support defined by a projection extending away from the body, the lateral arch support being highest at a lateral portion of the device, and adapted to be located generally under a cuboid bone of a user's foot.

7. The orthotic device of any one of the preceding claims further comprising a metatarsal support.

8. The orthotic device of any one of the proceeding claims further comprising a medial arch contour of 20 mm+/19 mm.

9. The orthotic device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a curved channel is located between the medial arch support and a medial edge of the valgus wedge.

10. A method of fitting an orthotic device to a shoe, the method including the step of: sizing the orthotic device such that a length of a body of the orthotic device generally corresponds with a length of a user's foot or the proximal portion of the users foot; wherein the orthotic device including a valgus wedge located at a rear foot portion and/or a forefoot portion of the body portion, the valgus wedge being adapted to provide a concentration of support under the lateral foot to reduce excessive supination.

11. The method of claim 10, further including the step of locating a lateral arch support which extends upwardly away from the body portion such that a high point of the lateral arch support is generally positioned beneath a cuboid bone of a user's foot.

12. The method of any one of claim 10 or 11, wherein the orthotic device is manufactured within the shoe as part of the shank or sock liner design.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of specific example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0068] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of an orthotic device according to the invention;

[0069] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the orthotic device of FIG. 1;

[0070] FIG. 3 is a top view of the orthotic device according to FIG. 1;

[0071] FIG. 4 is a top view of an orthotic device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0072] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through a heel portion of the device of FIG. 1; and

[0073] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through a medial portion of the device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0074] A valgus wedged orthoses or orthotic device 10 is disclosed herein for use primarily with heeled shoes of more than 3 cm. However the orthotic device 10 can be used in other shoe types including sports, flat, sandal and dress shoes. The orthotic device 10 concentrates the support under the lateral rearfoot, lateral midfoot and lateral forefoot, minimizing the degree of supination of the foot. The biomechanical changes that occur by minimizing the degree of supination of the foot in a heeled shoe include stabilisation of the lateral ankle, unloading of the peroneal and lateral gastrocnemius musculature and reduced out-of-phase activation of the flexor and extensor musculature.

[0075] Existing orthotics for heeled shoes feature support concentrated in the medial arch and some comprise of a varus wedge of the rearfoot and/or forefoot, potentially exacerbating the negative biomechanical changes associated with a heeled shoe. The orthotic device 10 disclosed herein provides the opposite force to the foot, concentrating the support on the lateral foot to align the foot closely to neutral, preventing over supination and the associated biomechanical changes whilst in a heeled shoe.

[0076] Whilst the orthotic device 10 concentrates the majority of support along the lateral border of the foot, the orthotic device 10 also includes a medial arch support 40 for the population of users that require medial longitudinal arch support whilst wearing a heeled shoe. The vertical height of the medial arch contour or support 40 is not sufficiently large to apply a varus force to the foot and therefore will not exacerbate the negative biomechanical changes associated with a heeled shoe.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 1, the orthotic device 10 is slim-line in profile with perimeter dimensions and shell thickness to fit tight fitting and narrow footwear that may be open toe, sling-back, open back, strapped or enclosed.

[0078] The orthotic device 10 includes a body portion or shell 25, providing a soft and flexible platform for supporting and cushioning the foot. The medial arch contour 40 is soft and malleable to provide comfort and prevent over pronation of the foot in those consumers that require medial support.

[0079] The orthotic device 10 includes a valgus wedge 20 which supports the lateral foot to reduce the supinatory effect of the windlass mechanism whilst in a heeled shoe. The valgus wedge 20 may be a lateral skive or alternatively an external valgus posting.

[0080] The orthotic device 10 may be used with shoes types including but not limited to heeled shoes (of varying vertical pitches), dress shoes, flat shoes, sandals, wedges and sports shoes. The orthotic device 10 may be provided as an off-the-shelf orthotic device 10 which can be added to any appropriate footwear by the consumer. Alternatively, the orthotic device 10 may be added during the shoe manufacturing process in replacement of the standard shoe liner (insole) and sold as an inclusion to the shoe.

[0081] The shape and contours of the orthotic device 10, the valgus wedge 20 extending from the rearfoot distally through to the forefoot as well as the medial arch contour 40, may be applied to form the shank of the heeled shoe during the manufacturing process.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 1, the orthotic device 10 is depicted with a shell or body portion 25 having a thickness of approximately 1.5 mm. The body portion 25 tapers away around the anterior edge and medial side perimeters of the orthotic device 10.

[0083] The high, lateral side of the device 10 includes the valgus wedge 20 in addition to the 1.5 mm body or shell 25 thickness that tapers from the lateral side to the medial side of the device 25. That is, a high point is defined by the orthotic tapering upwardly away from the body 25 portion at an angle of approximately 7 degrees (approximately 4.5 mm total vertical height) however could be up to 20 mm toward the lateral side. The wedge 20 effect can best be seen in FIG. 2, which shows the taper from the high, lateral side to the low medial side. In addition, the decline from lateral to medial may be a consistent slant, may be stepped, or may be a combination of both.

[0084] FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 show a variation in gradual decline from the lateral side to the medial side. The valgus wedge 20 or posting may be, though is not limited to, 7 degrees to 0 degrees, lateral to medial (equating to approx. 4.5 mm of vertical height on the lateral border of the device, in addition to the 1.5 mm body or shell 25 thickness of the device) however the vertical height on the lateral border of the device may be up to 20 mm.

[0085] The orthotic device 10 includes medial arch support 40, as identified in FIG. 1, and defined by the raise in height of the device 10 upwardly away from the body portion 25 into the space of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot. The medial arch support defines a curved prominence or projection, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0086] The medial arch support 40 ascends gradually in height from posterior to anterior, with the highest point located at the approximate mid point of the arch before descending toward the anterior in a similar gradient. The height of the medial arch support 40 also descends laterally away from the medial side. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the outline of the medial arch support 40 is shown.

[0087] The medial arch support 40 assists wearers who pronate.

[0088] FIG. 2 depicts a lateral perspective side view of the orthotic device 10. In this view, the high point of the medial arch support 40 raises above the body portion 25. In a preferred embodiment, the medial arch support 40 may be 20 mm in height (19 mm).

[0089] As depicted in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, a curved channel or depression 44 is located between the medial arch support 40 and the medial edge of the valgus wedge 20. The presence of the channel 44 may be of benefit for the manufacturing process and/or marketing of the device to visually differentiate between the medial arch support 40 and the valgus wedge 20.

[0090] In some embodiments, the orthotic device 10 may include a top cover or layer. The top cover material will be evenly adhered across the entire dorsal surface of the orthotic device 10, thus not altering the overall wedge of the device and therefore this measurement is not included in the diagrams.

[0091] In some embodiments, the orthotic device 10 may include an increase in height at the metatarsal arch region, to define a metatarsal support 60, beneath a metatarsal arch region of the foot. FIG. 4 shows the area in which additional height extends upwardly, and congruently, from the body 25, locally eliminating the valgus wedge 20 at this point of the orthotic device 10. The metatarsal support 60, also known as a metatarsal dome, raise or bar 60, and may be 6 mm in height (5.5 mm) and taper down on each edge gradually to conjoin with the valgus wedge 20.

[0092] In some embodiments, the orthotic device 10 may include a lateral arch support 50 (also referred to as a cuboid notch) that provides further lateral foot support in addition to the valgus wedge 20. As indicated in FIG. 4, the lateral arch support 50 is an area of additional height extending upwardly from the highest portion of valgus wedge 20, located at the position corresponding with the lateral longitudinal arch of the foot.

[0093] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the valgus wedge 20 positioned laterally and superiorly to the low medial side. As shown in those figures, there is a wedge effect or tapering from the elevated, lateral side of the orthotic device 10 to the medial (reduced thickness) side.

[0094] FIG. 2 depicts a lateral side view of the orthotic device 10. The high, lateral side of device 10 includes 7 degrees valgus wedge 20 (equating to approx. 4.5 mm vertical height on the lateral border of the device)+1.5 mm shell thickness, however this angle may be increased (up to 20 mm height) or decreased (to 2 mm height) depending on the purpose of the device 10. FIG. 2 also shows the outline of the medial arch support 40, positioned medially and superiorly to the lateral side of the device 10.

[0095] The orthotic device 10 addresses the over-supination of a user's foot whilst the ankle is positioned in a high degree of plantar flexion when wearing heeled shoes. Accordingly, the orthotic device 10 addresses the subsequent biomechanical changes that occur to the foot in the transverse and frontal planes (as identified above) whilst in a heeled shoe. This design and concept may be used in further research, prescription of orthoses as well as the design and manufacture of footwear and off-the-shelf orthotic devices.

[0096] The orthotic device 10 concentrates the support under the lateral rearfoot, lateral midfoot and lateral forefoot with a valgus wedge 20 to balance the foot and ankle whilst in a heeled shoe. The orthotic device 10 may be manufactured and sold as an orthotic device that is off-the-shelf, customized with additions or applicable during the footwear manufacturing process to be glued, adhered or sewn into the shoe during manufacturing.

[0097] The following elevations and materials directly relate to the drawings, and description of the drawings, associated with this application.

[0098] For the purpose of this application, the measurements are standardised to the size of a small orthotic device 10 and the measurements will either increase with larger sizes or decrease with smaller sizes. When this concept is applied during the footwear manufacturing process the dimensions may be altered for a custom fit to the last. In this case it may replace the standard shoe liner and therefore the dimensions will extend to the perimeters of the shoe as per a standard shoe liner.

Materials and Dimensions

[0099] The orthotic device 10 for heeled, dress or flat shoe will be appropriately dimensioned for a narrow and shallow shoe. The shell or body portion 25 may be manufactured from, but not limited to, open or closed cell polyethylene foam, open or closed cell polyurethane foam, cross linked polyethylene foam, EVA foam (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), gel, silicon, polypropylene, or any other cellular rubber and/or foam material. The shell 25, valgus wedge 20 and medial arch support 40 may be a combination of thickness, density and/or materials.

[0100] The top cover may be made from, but not limited to, open or closed cell polyurethane, open or closed cell polyethylene, foam materials, cellular rubbers, neoprene, nylon, vinyl, leather, gel and silicon. The top cover may, or may not, extend the full length of the device 10.

[0101] The high point of the medial arch support 40 (FIG. 1) may be, but not limited to, 20 mm (19 mm) and tapers away from the high point.

[0102] The lateral arch support 50 is an additional feature according to a preferred embodiment (FIG. 4). It will be tapered around the perimeter and will be highest under a user's cuboid bone with the highest point measuring 3 mm (2 mm). The lateral arch support 50 height is additional to the measurement of the valgus (lateral) wedge 20.

[0103] The valgus wedge 20 may extend from the rearfoot through to the forefoot, or may partially extend, or taper to reduce the valgus support, between the rearfoot and forefoot. At the forefoot, the valgus posting will be 0 mm under the medial side of the 1st metatarsal head and extends transversely under the lateral side of the 5th metatarsal shaft to measure up to 20 mm. The heel cup height will be dictated by the valgus wedge 20 height on the lateral side (up to 20 mm) and will be the minimal thickness of the shell on the medial side (FIG. 4). The valgus wedge 20 of the orthotic 10 may taper longitudinally to zero under the toes (FIG. 1).

[0104] In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 5, the shell 25 may include a 6 mm (5.5 mm) high metatarsal support 60 located on the proximal edge of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsal heads.

[0105] Advantageously, the valgus wedge 20 significantly reduces the degree of foot supination caused by the plantar flexed position of the ankle whilst in a heeled shoe.

[0106] Advantageously, by reducing the degree of supination of the foot, the orthotic device 10 improves the balance between the medial and lateral ankle stabilising musculature and reduces the activation of the secondary ankle stabilizers thus reducing the clawing effect of the toes.

[0107] Advantageously, by improving ankle stability, those who use this orthotic device 10 may experience less muscle fatigue, less pain, greater endurance, reduced lateral ankle instability and reduced likelihood of associated injuries such as falls, fractures, ligamentous strain, tendinopathies and soft tissue overuse associated with walking and standing in heeled shoes.

[0108] Advantageously, the orthotic device 10 reduces the degree of supination at the forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot by applying an angular force concentrated under the lateral forefoot, lateral midfoot and lateral rearfoot.

[0109] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.