Bio Mechanical corrective devices

Details Bio Mechanical corrective devices Bio Mechanical corrective devices

1996-03-07

1997-11-25

Patterson, M. D.

Boot and shoe making

Processes

Miscellaneous parts

12142N, 36 88, A43D 714

Patent

active

056898495

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND ART

Orthotic shoe inserts are known as a means of providing support to the foot to assist in correcting bio mechanical stresses in the lower skeleton. Known orthotics take many forms but fall into two main categories:
1. Rigid arch supports which primarily support the heel and arch but provide little or no support to the forefoot; and
2. Soft, flexible full foot supports which primarily provide shock protection while providing some arch support.
In recent years people have become aware that skeletal misalignment can lead to hip, leg, knee, ankle and foot injuries. A number of text books have been written which describe the bio mechanics of human movement and one such text which is incorporated herein by reference is `Bio mechanics--A qualitative approach for studying human movement` by E. Kreighbaum and K. M. Barthels.
The inventor has realised that a primary cause of injury or discomfort in the lower skeleton and associated muscles is due to misaligned foot contact with the ground. Two primary forms of misalignment occur: eversion--misalignment of the heel leading to a rolling in of the ankle; pronation--misalignment of the forefoot leading to a rolling of the foot.
Prior art orthotics have not addressed the need for precise correction of the misalignment of the foot. When the rolling has been identified the prior art devices have attempted to correct the roll by placing an angle under the heel or by exaggerating the arch support. Neither of these approaches provide the necessary precision to alleviate the musculo-skeletal stresses. In fact, incorrectly or inaccurately placed corrections can result in extra musculo-skeletal stresses such as: heel roll-out on contact with the ground due to excessive angle under the heel; leg rotation due to excessive arch support; increased forefoot roll from either or both of the above.
Prior art orthotics such as those produced by the method of Wynd (Australian patent Application Number 46469/89) seek to correct the rolling by producing an orthotic from a cast taken of the foot when the sub-talor joint is in neutral position with the forefoot fully pronated about both the mid tarsal joint longitudinal and oblique axes. The Wynd method does not result in a correctly shaped orthotic because the cast is made when the foot is in the wrong position. Having the forefoot fully pronated changes the shape of the arch compared to the shape of the arch when the leg is in the erect weight bearing position. The orthotic formed does not restore the arch to its correct structure in terms of both the longitudinal and transverse arch shape.
In other prior art approaches a cast is taken of the foot with the foot plantar flexed or pointed. The cast is then modified to suit the concept of the short orthotic. Typically this involves modification of the cast by removal of some material and build up in other areas. An orthotic is made to conform to the resultant cast. While the modifications of the cast may lead to a convenient foot shape it does not take into account the full musculo-skeletal system of the lower body. It has also become clear to the inventor that restoring the arch is only part of the requirement. Correction of the contact angles of the foot with the ground can affect the entire lower body musculo-skeletal system.
Posture and therefore the planes of motion of joints is determined by bone structure not muscles. The skeletal alignment sets the line of muscular action therefore imperfections in the skeletal structure leads to muscular injury. Most people have some degree of skeletal misalignment which will lead to joint, muscle and tendon injury during intensive activity. To eliminate joint, muscle and tendon injuries the skeletal alignment must be altered so as to correct the mechanical function and eliminate injury causing movements.
Correcting the mechanical function of the musculo-skeletal system of the body achieves movement without excessive wear and gives correct balance, shock absorption and weight distribution. This improvement in the mechanics of movement l

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