Dynamic hallux tension device for treatment of plantar faciitis

摘要

A physical rehabilitation device for the treatment of a medical condition of the foot known as plantar fasciitis includes a splint which is connected to the toe and ankle of a patient. The splint can be used in a method for treating plantar fasciitis known as “dynamic splinting”. This device allows the patient to bend the ankle and thus dynamically change the flexion in the foot of the patient. The device itself is unique, but the method of treatment made possible by this device is also unique.

主权项

1. A foot splint for treating plantar fasciitis, comprising:
a first sling portion defining a loop configured to fit over a hallux but not the metatarsophalangeal joint in a natural human foot; a second sling portion attached to a dorsal side of the first sling portion, the second sling portion defining two straps of flexible material configured to releasably wrap around an ankle of the natural human foot to secure the hallux in a dorsiflexed position and thereby tension a plantar fascia of the natural human foot by pulling on said dorsal side of the first sling portion, said two straps extending from said dorsal side of the first sling portion and configured to extend over a top of the foot and around the ankle, the two straps of flexible material releasably fastenable to each other around the ankle; and a sock sewn to the first and second sling portions and configured to fit over the foot, wherein the foot splint is configured for daily wear within a shoe during ambulation and allows a user to dynamically control an amount of tension applied to the plantar fascia by allowing the user to dorsiflex and plantarflex the ankle while wearing the splint.