Ankle-Foot Orthosis

摘要

An Ankle-Foot Orthosis, or AFO, has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion joined together. The horizontal portion is fixed to a shoe, which is selected by a user, by separating at least part of the sole such that the horizontal portion can be adhered near or between a midsole of the sole of a shoe. The horizontal portion provides the necessary structure needed to connect a shoe to the vertical portion of the AFO such that a user suffering with a weakness or deformity can walk with a more normal gait. In an alternate embodiment, the AFO is removable from a shoe such that it can be replaced onto the same or a different shoe.

主权项

1. A method for fixing an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) to a shoe comprising the steps of:
selecting a pair of shoes for a wearer; separating at least a portion of a sole of a shoe of the pair to create a separation; aligning a vertical portion of the AFO at least partially adjacent a portion of an upper of the shoe; aligning a horizontal portion of the AFO substantially adjacent the separation; and fixing the horizontal portion substantial in or adjacent the separation.