FOOT SUPPORT DEVICE

• US 20080154166A1
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Dunshee, Wayne K., Beckwith, Tanya L., Wieringa, Jeffrey L., Mann, Maria T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,753,864 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0113 Drop-foot appliances

Abstract

A device for treatment of plantar fasciitis and/or Achilles tendonitis that comprises:

• (a) a calf strap removably engagable to the calf of a leg;
• (b) a foot assembly removably engagable to the foot of the leg such that when the device is worn the assembly can be positioned proximate to the ball of the foot intermediate to the midfoot and forefoot areas of the foot to secure it to the foot; and
• (c) a substantially inelastic tension member connectable between the calf strap and the foot assembly in a tensioned manner
  such that when the device is worn the plantarflexion of the ankle is limited such that the plantar surface of the foot is held in a neutral to slight dorsiflection.

Also, a method of treating plantar fasciitis and/or Achilles tendonitis that comprises applying a such a device so as to maintain the plantar fascia and other structures on the plantar surface of the foot in a neutral to slight dorsiflection.

Claims

1. A device for limiting plantarflexion of an ankle thereby maintaining the plantar fascia in a neutral to slight dorsiflection, said device comprising:

(a) a calf strap removably engagable to the calf of a leg;

(b) a foot assembly removably engagable to the foot of said leg; and

(c) a substantially inelastic tension member connectable between said calf strap and said foot assembly in a tensioned manner such that when said device is worn the plantarflexion of said ankle is limited such that the plantar surface of said foot is held in a neutral to slight dorsiflection.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a loop attached to said calf strap wherein said loop and said tension member are adapted to engage with one another to connect said tension member to said calf strap.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said loop is attached to the bottom edge of said calf strap.

4. The foot support system of claim 1 wherein said calf strap has a first end and a second end with a first fastener and a second fastener attached respectively thereto for allowing selective closing thereof upon said.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said foot assembly comprises a foot strap and a yolk strap which is adapted to engage with said tension member.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said foot strap has a first end and a second end with a first fastener and a second fastener attached respectively thereto for allowing selective closing thereof around said foot.

7. The device of claim 5 further comprising a pad on the interior portion of said foot strap proximate the underside of the foot.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said tension member is releasable from at least one of said calf strap and said foot assembly.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said tension member is permanently attached to said foot assembly.

10. A method for limiting plantarflexion of an ankle comprising applying a device of claim 1.

11. A method of limiting plantaflexion of an ankle thereby maintaining the plantar fascia in a neutral to slight dorsiflection, said device comprising:

(a) engaging a calf strap to the calf of a leg;

(b) engaging a foot assembly to the foot of said leg wherein said assembly is positioned proximate to the ball of said foot intermediate to the midfoot and forefoot areas of said foot; and

(c) connecting a substantially inelastic tension member between said calf strap and said foot assembly in a tensioned manner such that the plantarflexion of said ankle is limited such that the plantar surface of said foot is held in a neutral to slight dorsiflection.