Method and apparatus for foot stabilization

摘要

A method and apparatus for stabilizing the foot to control gait wherein an adjustable elastic sleeve and a substantially inelastic strap are wrapped around the foot in a prescribed fashion with the strap ends anchored to the sleeve so as to limit excessive pronation and assist in resupination of the foot. In one embodiment, the sleeve is wrapped around the arch of the foot and the strap extends from a location on the sleeve adjacent the bottom of the foot, up across the instep, over the top of the foot and around the heel, from which position the strap extends back to the sleeve and fastens thereto near the instep. One or more guides on the sleeve help maintain the strap in the desired position on the foot and the strap may be folded over on itself to aid in conforming to the curvature of the foot in the heel region. In another embodiment the sleeve is wrapped around the arch, but the strap extends from opposite sides of the sleeve directly around the heel. Alternatively, the sleeve can be placed around the ankle and the strap can extend from opposite sides of the sleeve below the heel to serve as an ankle and leg support.