Orthopedic shoe appliance and method
View Patent ↗An orthopedic appliance includes a slab configured to be placed underneath a big toe, forward of and not extending under a head of a first metatarsal, and wherein the slab has a predetermined height and is configured to deflect a proximal phalanx upwardly relative to the first metatarsal. A method for improving stability of a foot during ambulation includes placing an orthopedic appliance, having a predetermined height, under a big toe such that the orthopedic appliance is located forward of and does not extend under a head of a first metatarsal of the big toe; and deflecting a proximal phalanx upwardly relative to the first metatarsal.
1. An orthopedic appliance, comprising a slab configured to be placed underneath a big toe forward of and not extending under a head of a first metatarsal, and wherein the slab has a predetermined height and is configured to deflect a proximal phalanx upwardly relative to the first metatarsal, wherein the slab has a top surface for supporting the big toe, a bottom surface, and four side surfaces, wherein a first side surface among the four side surfaces is disposed proximate a boundary between the big toe and the second toe during use, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface is disposed proximate a side edge of a footwear during use, wherein each of the four side surfaces is at least 1 mm high, and wherein the slab is attached to the footwear.
2. The orthopedic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined height is between 1-10 mm.
3. The orthopedic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined height is between 4-6 mm.
4. The orthopedic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the slab is non-planar.
5. The orthopedic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the top surface and the bottom surface of the slab are not parallel.
6. The orthopedic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the slab is an integral part of an article of footwear.
7. The orthopedic appliance of claim 1 , further comprising a fastener configured to secure the big toe to the slab.
8. The orthopedic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the footwear is an insole.
9. The orthopedic appliance of claim 1 , wherein the footwear is a shoe or a sandal.
10. A method for improving stability of a foot during ambulation, comprising:
placing an orthopedic appliance, comprising a slab having a predetermined height, under a big toe such that the orthopedic appliance is located forward of and does not extend under a head of a first metatarsal of the big toe, wherein the slab has a top surface for supporting the big toe, a bottom surface, and four side surfaces, wherein a first side surface among the four side surfaces is disposed proximate a boundary between the big toe and the second toe during use, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface is disposed proximate a side edge of a footwear during use, wherein the four side surfaces are substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface and each of the four side surfaces is at least 1 mm high; and
deflecting a proximal phalanx upwardly relative to the first metatarsal.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the predetermined height is between 1-10 mm.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the predetermined height is between 4-6 mm.
13. The orthopedic appliance of claim 10 , wherein the top surface of the slab is non-planar.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the top surface and the bottom surface of the orthopedic appliance are not parallel.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the orthopedic appliance further comprises a fastener.