Removable lower leg brace

Claim 1

A brace for treatment of tibial fractures comprising: a rigid shoe including a planar upper surface member for engaging the sole of the patient's foot, side walls extending perpendicularly to the upper surface and downwardly therefrom, and an outer sole member comprising the lowermost surface of the shoe; the outer sole of the shoe having a fulcrum, a planar first portion extending rearwardly from the fulcrum to the heel of the shoe and a second portion comprising a continuous curve extending from the fulcrum upwardly and forwardly to the toe of the shoe; means for locating the foot of the patient on the planar upper surface of the shoe with the metatarsal point of the foot positioned forward of the fulcrum so that the shoe normally sets on the planar first portion of the outer sole and pivots about the fulcrum onto the curved second portion as the weight of the patient shifts forward of the metatarsal point of the foot; said rigid shoe further comprising a molded plastic body portion having the planar upper surface member and the outer sole member secured thereto and molded plastic left and right side members formed integrally with the body portion and positioned on opposite sides of the shoe; the side members each comprising a first portion extending from the side wall of the shoe angularly upwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and a second portion extending upwardly from the upper end of the second portion substantially parallel to the side wall of the shoe; plastic side plates secured to the side members and each including an attachment portion secured to the second portion of its respective side member, a second portion extending from the upper end of the attachment portion angularly upwardly and inwardly with respect thereto, and a third portion extending upwardly from the upper end of the second portion generally parallel to the second portion of the side member and to the attachment portion of the side plate; the third portion of each side plate positioned over the side wall of the shoe and being curved inwardly to conform to the calf of the patient; each side member further including a layer of foam padding secured to the inside surface thereof and extending upwardly along the inner surfaces of the first and second portions of the side member; an extension secured to the upper end of the third portion of the side plates and extending therefrom upwardly beyond the knee of the patient; and fastening means for securing the shoe, the side members and the extension in place relative to the leg of the patient.