Ankle control system and method

摘要

An ankle control system, having a form-fitting sock or brace, a relatively-rigid support member, a lever motion stabilizing strap, and collar. The form-fitting sock or brace has opposing medial and lateral sides, a foot portion having an arch portion, and an ankle portion having an upper attachment element. The relatively-rigid support member is connected to the form-fitting sock or brace and contours about a wearer's leg. The lever motion stabilizing strap acts as a lasso to restrict inversion, eversion, and plantar flexion/inversion through the lever action of the foot with respect to the ankle.

主权项

1. A method for controlling an ankle, comprising:
providing:
a form-fitting sock or brace having opposing medial and lateral sides, a foot portion, and an ankle portion having an upper attachment element,a first relatively-rigid support member that contours about a leg of a wearer and is connected to the upper attachment element of the form-fitting sock or brace, anda lever motion stabilizing strap; placing the form-fitting sock or brace on afoot of the wearer; attaching a first end of the lever motion stabilizing strap to a distal end of the foot portion of the form-fitting sock or brace, and wrapping the lever motion stabilizing strap circumferentially around the distal end of the foot portion, an intermediate portion of the lever motion stabilizing strap contacting a portion of the lever motion stabilizing strap circumferentially surrounding the distal end of the foot portion; extending the intermediate portion of the lever motion stabilizing strap substantially linearly between a side of the foot portion of the form-fitting sock or brace, over an ankle between the foot and the leg, and an attachment location of the upper attachment element of the form-fitting sock or brace, with the upper attachment element surrounding an upper portion of the ankle or a portion of the leg adjacent to the ankle; and adjustably attaching a second end of the lever motion stabilizing strap to the attachment location of the upper attachment element of the form-fitting sock or brace surrounding the leg.