GB2098455A

GB2098455A - Walking sole for orthopaedic cast

Info

Publication number: GB2098455A
Application number: GB8114224A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Johnson and Johnson
Current assignee: Johnson and Johnson
Priority date: 1981-05-08
Filing date: 1981-05-08
Publication date: 1982-11-24
Also published as: GB2098455B; CA1166914A

Abstract

The sole comprises a single moulding 10 of rubber or plastics material which has a heel portion 11 with a downwardly projecting tread portion 12, a ball of the foot portion 13 with a downwardly projecting tread portion 14 and a flexible toe portion 15 which can be removed (e.g. cut) from the rest of the sole. The sole has slots 17 for straps and an elongated depression 20 by which the sole may be attached to or located on a plaster cast. The toe portion 15 is of less thickness than the remaining portions of the walking sole and can be easily modified (e.g. shortened) or removed by means of a knife or scissors.

Description

SPECIFICATION Walking sole for orthopaedic cast This invention relates to a walking sole or flexible overshoe for an orthopaedic cast.

It is known to employ a simple hand-made wooden platform with a semi-circular rubber sole attached, the wooden platform being bandaged onto the cast at both ends.

It is also known to employ a so-called 'heel' which is literally a heel-shaped member on a short platform adapted to be attached to or embedded in a cast with a relatively small surface in contact with the cast. This 'heel' has the disadvantages that it does not prevent rotation or twist and it adds considerably to the height of the cast. It has a further disadvantage in that, because of its small surface area in contact with the cast the cast tends to crack in the shape of the platform of the 'heel'.

Cast boots or shoes are also known often with virtually complete upper portions but these are expensive and a large range of different sizes is required.

There are instances where the patient requires to have freedom to move his toes completely and independently of the boot or shoe so as to allow free movement and exercise of the toes, for example, when not walking. The existing boot or shoe will not allow for this.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a walking sole for orthopaedic use in which these disadvantages are alleviated.

In accordance with the invention a walking sole or flexible overshoe for an orthopaedic cast comprises a main body supporting treads adjacent the heel and the ball of the foot of the wearer and a toe portion which does not carry a projecting tread corresponding to the heel and ball of the foot treads and is of resilient material and of easily removeable form.

Preferably the toe portion is of less thickness than the remaining portion of the walking sole to enable it to be removed easily as by cutting through it with a knife or scissors if it is not required or if it is necessary to shorten it to suit a particular user. The resilience of this toe portion ensures that the whole weight cannot be transferred via the toe portion to the ground and this alleviates the problem of cracking.

Preferably the walking sole is formed as a single moulding of a resilient rubber or plastic material such as polyurethane.

The walking sole may be provided with a central recess or groove, which may be elongated, to enable the walking sole to be stuck to a cast by filling the recess or groove with an adhesive and attaching it to the bottom of the cast.

Even if the sole is not attached to the bottom of the cast by the adhesive the recess is of value in that it enables the cast to be formed in its final stages whilst the walking sole is attached to the cast so that a projection is formed on the bottom of the cast to engage and locate the walking sole each time it is put on and off.

The walking sole may be removably attached to the foot by straps or tapes e.g. of Velcro, passing through slots in the heel and round the heel part of the cast and/or in the part of the walking sole corresponding to the ball of a foot.

Alternatively slots in the part of the cast corresponding to the ball of the foot, or elsewhere may be used to act as retention areas for portions of the cast material to attach the sole to the cast.

In the accompanying drawing is shown a perspective view of a walking sole embodying the present invention. The sole comprises a single moulding 10 or rubber or plastics material which has a heel portion 11 with a downwardly projecting tread portion 12, a ball of the foot portion 13 with a downwardly projecting tread portion 14 and a flexible toe portion 15.

In addition the walking sole has a raised heel end 16 with slots 1 7 in it for straps. The part of the sole 1 8 corresponding to the arch of the foot may also be used as a convenient point for receiving straps.

The upper surface of the walking sole has an elongated depression 20 or slot by which the sole may be attached to or located on a plaster cast.

As seen in the drawing the toe portion 15 is of less thickness than the remaining portions of the walking sole and it is of fairly soft or resilient material so that it will flex easily. It is also of such thickness and material strength that it can be easily modified (e.g. shortened) or removed by means of a knife or scissors.

If the walking sole is to be used by a patient who wants complete free movement of the toes the toe portion of the walking sole may simply be cut-off. If on the other hand it is used by a patient who requires some support for the toes the resilience of the toe portion then ensures that the whole weight of the body cannot be transferred to the toe portion thus causing cracking of the cast.

In use the toe portion might be removed for short term patients but retained for long term patients such as those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis who are advised not to bend their toes.

The walking sole is of course applicable not only to Plaster of Paris casts but to any of the modern substitutes for plaster casts such as synthetic tape #systems and the foam casting techniques.

Among the advantages of this walking sole are: 1. A uniform size for all patients.

2. A toe platform that can be used or removed by cutting with scissors.

3. It has a good walking shape, allowing people to walk through without bending their knee.

4. It is very light not adding significantly to the casts weight.

5. The depth of the sole is small.

6. The body weight is distributed more evenly than it would be if a platform or a heel were used.

Claims

Claims (Filed 24 Feb 1982)

1. A walking sole or flexible overshoe for an orthopaedic cast comprising a main body supporting treads adjacent the heel and the ball of the foot of the wearer and a toe portion which does not carry a projecting tread corresponding to the heel and ball of the foot treads and is of resilient material and of easily removeable form.

2. A sole or overshoe according to claim 1 and in which the toe portion is of less thickness than the remaining portion of the walking sole to enable it to be removed easily if it is not required or if it is necessary to shorten it to suit a particular user.

3. A sole or overshoe according to claim 1 or claim 2 formed as a single moulding of a resilient rubber or plastics material.

4. A sole or overshoe according to claim 3 in which said material is polyurethane.

5. A sole or overshoe according to any preceding claim provided with a central recess or groove.

6. A method of using a sole or overshoe according to claim 5 in which the walking sole is stuck to a cast by filling the recess or groove with an adhesive and attaching it to the bottom of the cast.

7. A method of using a sole or overshoe according to claim 5 in which a cast is formed in its final stages whilst the walking sole is attached to the cast so that a projection is formed on the bottom of the cast to engage and locate the walking sole each time it is put on and off.

8. A walking sole according to any of claims 1 to 5 adapted to be removably attached to the foot by straps or tapes passing through slots in the heel and round the heel part of the cast and/or in the part of the walking sole corresponding to the ball of a foot.

9. A walking sole according to any of claims 1 to 4 in which slots in the part of the cast corresponding to the ball of the foot, or elsewhere are adapted to be used to act as retention areas for portions of the cast material to attach the sole to the cast.

10. A walking sole or flexible overshoe substantially as hereinbefore particularly described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.