System and method for correcting club foot problems in children
View Patent ↗A system and method for comfortably restraining a child's feet undergoing the Ponseti method for treatment of club feet, using a foot and ankle abduction orthosis, where the improvement includes a shoe with an integral sole and attachment mechanism, as well as having a soft pliable area around the feet and ankle support.
1. A system for maintaining a child's feet in a predetermined therapeutic arrangement, the system comprising:
a splint comprising:
a rigid elongated member comprising a left end and a right end;
a right shoe engaging plate adjustably coupled to said elongated member;
a left shoe engaging plate adjustably coupled to said elongated member;
a right end adjustment mechanism disposed between said right shoe engaging plate and said elongated member, said right end adjustment mechanism for making angular adjustments;
a left end adjustment mechanism disposed between said left shoe engaging plate and said elongated member, said left end adjustment mechanism for making angular adjustments;
a right quick release mechanism coupled to said right shoe engaging plate;
a left quick release mechanism coupled to said left shoe engaging plate;
a right shoe detachably coupled to said right quick release mechanism;
a left shoe detachably coupled to said left quick release mechanism;
a left recess disposed inside of a left sole of the left shoe, wherein said left sole is a single piece of molded material and wherein the left recess is configured to receive and selectively latch therein said left quick release mechanism;
a right recess disposed inside of a right sole of the right shoe, wherein said right sole is a single piece of molded material and wherein said right recess is configured to receive and selectively latch therein said right quick release mechanism; and
wherein said right shoe further comprises a foot and ankle holding removable insert which has an orifice on each side of a heel engaging section which permits viewing of a patient's foot as it is inserted into said right shoe.
2. A system of claim 1 wherein said removable insert has a first orifice outside end on one side of the heel engaging section and a second orifice outside end on an opposing side of the heel engaging section, such that viewing of a patient's foot is permitted through at least some area extending between the first orifice outside end and the second orifice outside end.
3. A system of claim 1 wherein said orifice on each side of the heel engaging section is a plurality of discrete orifices separated by material across a portion of said heel engaging section configured to surround a portion of a patient's heel.
4. A system for maintaining a child's feet in a predetermined therapeutic arrangements, the system comprising:
a splint comprising:
a rigid elongated member comprising a left end and a right end;
a shoe engaging plate adjustably coupled to said elongated member at each of said left end and said right end;
a right end adjustment mechanism disposed between said shoe engaging plate and said right end of said elongated member, said right end adjustment mechanism for making angular adjustments;
a left end adjustment mechanism disposed between said shoe engaging plate and said left end of said elongated member, said left end adjustment mechanism for making angular adjustments;
a shoe coupled to each of said shoe engaging plate;
said shoe comprising a single piece removable inner foot and heel cradling insole insert, which is sized, shaped and configured to provide full heel support;
wherein said single piece inner foot and heel cradling insole insert has a relatively flat insole sole foot side and a pair of opposing insole side walls and an insole heel and ankle support section; and
wherein absence of material in said insole heel and ankle support section permits visual inspection from both sides of a patient's heel placement of a patients heel into said insole heel and ankle support section and contact with said insole sole foot side, while providing support for the heel and ankle.
5. A system of claim 4 wherein said absence of material is a plurality of discrete insole heel right viewing holes disposed on opposing sides of said insole heel and ankle support section.
6. A system for maintaining a child's feet in a predetermined therapeutic arrangement, the system comprising:
a splint comprising:
a rigid elongated member comprising a left end and a right end;
a shoe engaging plate adjustably coupled to said elongated member;
a right end adjustment mechanism disposed between said shoe engaging plate and said elongated member, said right end adjustment mechanism for making angular adjustments;
a shoe coupled to said shoe engaging plate;
said shoe comprising a single piece inner foot cradling insole member;
wherein said shoe engaging plate is not coupled to said shoe by a threaded elongated member;
wherein said shoe is coupled, via a quick release mechanism, to a first end of an adjustable splint assembly;
further comprising a second shoe coupled to a second end of said adjustable splint assembly;
wherein said adjustable splint assembly further comprises a shoe separation setting device comprising a first set screw and a second set screw; and
wherein said single piece inner foot cradling insole member has a plurality of protuberances which extend through holes in said sole of said shoe.