SURGICAL SHOE

• US 3,661,151 A
• Filed: 02/06/1970
• Issued: 05/09/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bernard Podos, Errol A. Schoenbrun, Murray M. Lichtenstein
• Original Assignee: Bernard Podos, Errol A. Schoenbrun, Murray M. Lichtenstein
• Inventors: Schoenbrun, Errol A., Lichtenstein, Murray M., Podos, Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yasko, J.
• Application Number:
  US05/009,199
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 128/87,83.5,82,581,80,83 36/30,33,28,2.5
• US Class Current: 36/140
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/00 Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements

Abstract

A shoe converted to aid post-operative rehabilitation of the foot and to serve as a splint or cast for foot fractures is provided with rigid plywood midsole to restrict undesirable foot movement during ambulation. The shoe upper is modified by eliminating the conventional toe box and tongue so that the shoe can be readily adjusted to compensate for swelling of the foot constriction loosening lacing placed through eyelets in the upper. Elimination of the toe box and tongue a also decreases post-operative constriction of the foot within the shoe contributing to undesirable swelling. In all other respects the shoe remains unmodified, to allow both feet to be the same height for the walking surface when a normal shoe is worn on the other foot, for cosmetic purposes, and to permit ambulation with maximum comfort and convenience.

Claims

1. A surgical shoe construction designed to receive a cast-less foot to promote post-operative rehabilitation of the foot comprising:

a composite sole, said composite including rigid midsole means for immobilizing the foot of the wearer by restricting undesirable foot movement during ambulation, cushion means on the upper surface of said midsole means, and ground engaging sole means secured to the lower surface of said midsole means;

heel means comprising an insert positioned between the midsole means and the ground engaging sole means for elevating said midsole means;

a flexible shoe upper secured to said composite sole adapted to substantially envelop the foot of the wearer to minimize swelling of the foot;

said upper having an open toe portion and a midportion having spaced edges; and

said midportion including a pair of spaced tongues overlaying the flexible upper of the shoe for securing said shoe to said foot, said tongues carrying means for bringing the midportion edges together with the selective tension to compensate for various swelling conditions of the foot.

2. A surgical shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein said spaced tongues include lace receiving eyelets.

3. A surgical shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein said insert provision between the midsole means and ground engaging sole portion comprises a wedge.

4. A surgical shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein said shoe upper is secured to the lower surface of said midsole.

5. A surgical shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein ground engaging sole portion is a rippled rubber sole.

6. A surgical shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cushion on said midsole is formed from foam.

7. A surgical shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rigid midsole is formed from plywood.