Method and apparatus for foot stabilization

Claim 1

Apparatus for stabilizing the foot to control gait, comprising: a sleeve formed from an elongated sheet of material having opposite ends that can be releasably fastened together, the opposite ends of said sheet being adjustable relative to one another upon fastening for adjusting the circumference of said sleeve, said sleeve having at least limited elasticity in the circumferential direction; gripping means included on the inside surface of said sleeve for gripping the foot and anchoring said sleeve thereto; an elongated strap connected at a first end to said sleeve; and means for adjustably and releasably connecting a second end of said strap to said sleeve, said sleeve being sufficiently inelastic in the lateral direction, and said strap being sufficiently inelastic in the longitudinal direction, to exert resistive forces to restrain the motions of the foot to prevent excessive pronation when said sleeve is fastened around and anchored to the foot at the mid part of the arch and when said strap is wrapped around the foot and tightened to said sleeve in a prescribed manner.

Claim 10

A method for stabilizing the foot to control gait, comprising the steps of: placing around the arch of the foot a sleeve that is elastic in the circumferential direction so as to resist spreading of the foot when the foot strikes the ground, while allowing the sleeve to stretch in the circumferential direction and to return the foot to its initial shape when the foot is lifted from the ground, and that is sufficiently inelastic in the lateral direction to serve as a stable base from which foot restraining forces can be applied in said lateral direction; anchoring the sleeve to the foot by means of gripping material lining the interior surface of the sleeve; fastening one end of an elongated strap that is sufficiently inelastic to exert foot restraining forces in the longitudinal direction to the sleeve at a location corresponding to the lateral plantar portion of the foot with the strap directed generally toward the instep and rearwardly underneath the foot; wrapping the strap obliquely across the bottom of the foot, obliquely up and over the arch, and rearwardly across the top of the foot to support the arch joints of the foot; further wrapping the strap around the ankle and back along the medial side of the foot to resist outward turning of the foot; tightening the strap around the heel while the foot is in a position of slight inward turn and outward roll; and fastening the other end of the strap to the sleeve at a location corresponding approximately to the medial plantar portion of the foot with the strap tightening to restrain the foot against excessive pronation and to assist in the resupination of the foot.

Claim 11

A method for stabilizing the foot to control gait, comprising the steps of: placing around the arch of the foot a sleeve that is elastic in the circumferential direction so as to resist spreading of the foot when the foot strikes the ground, while allowing the sleeve to stretch in the circumferential direction and to return the foot to its initial shape when the foot is lifted from the ground, and that is sufficiently inelastic in the lateral direction to serve as a stable base from which foot restraining forces can be applied in said lateral direction; anchoring the sleeve to the foot by means of gripping material lining the interior surface of the sleeve; fastening one end of an elongated strap that is sufficiently inelastic to exert foot restraining forces in the longitudinal direction to the sleeve at a location corresponding to the lateral plantar portion of the foot with the strap directed generally toward the instep and rearwardly underneath the foot; wrapping the strap obliquely across the bottom of the foot, obliquely up and over the arch, and rearwardly across the top of the foot to support the arch joints of the foot; further wrapping the strap around the ankle and back along the medial side of the foot to resist outward turning of the foot; tightening the strap around the heel while the foot is in a position of slight inward turn and outward roll; and fastening the other end of the strap to the sleeve at a location corresponding approximately to the medial plantar portion of the foot with the strap tightening to restrain the foot against excessive pronation and to assist in the resupination of the foot.