GB2375711A

GB2375711A - Paediatric corrective footwear system

Info

Publication number: GB2375711A
Application number: GB0106737A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Copley; Andrew Tagg
Original assignee: Gilbert & Mellish Ltd
Current assignee: Gilbert & Mellish Ltd
Priority date: 2001-03-17
Filing date: 2001-03-17
Publication date: 2002-11-27
Also published as: GB0106737D0

Abstract

A paediatric corrective footwear system comprising: a plurality of different types of orthotic insoles 12, (16, figure 3) and (22, figure 4) which are of such a size and configuration as to fit an orthpaedic boot (10, figure 1) of the correct size for a patient's foot. Each insole type is designed for assisting in correcting one or more respective defects in patient's walking and/or stance. The insoles 12, (16) and (22) are specifically designed to be used in conjunction with the orthpaedic boot (10). Preferably, the orthotic insoles hold the subtalar joint in a neutral position, prevent over-pro-nation of the foot and stabilise the dynamic arches of the foot. More preferably, the orthotic insoles are provided with postings, even more preferably covered EVA wedges. Also, a method of fitting the corrective footwear system.

Description

Paediatric Corrective Footwear System.

The use of orthopaedic corrective footwear to stabilise and position abnormalities in walking and stance connected to disorders, such as cerebral palsy, which cause muscle weakness and balance problems has been known for some time. Orthopaedic boots which open fully to the toe, to allow ease of fitting, and have increased support in the heel and ankle are well known. More recently there has been a move away from the use of this standard orthopaedic footwear toward the use of bespoke orthoses, i. e. orthoses individually made to meet the individual patient's needs. In this case, a cast of the patient's foot is first made and the orthosis is produced from this. These orthoses can be used in conjunction with normal shoes to correct the functional abnormalities. Bespoke orthoses have a number of disadvantages in that they are expensive to produce and take some time from the initial consultation with the orthotist until the delivery of the support.

The present invention seeks to alleviate or at least mitigate these disadvantages by providing an improved off-the-shelf corrective footwear system which can enable a similar level of abnormality correction as the present bespoke system.

According to said one aspect of the present invention there is provided a paediatric corrective footwear system comprising :a plurality of different types of paediatric orthotic insoles which are of such a size and configuration as to fit an orthopaedic boot of the correct size for a patient's foot, each insole type being designed for assisting in correcting one or more respective defects in patients'walking action (gait)

and/or stance, and said insoles being specifically designed to be used in conjunction with said orthopaedic boot.

Most preferably, the system further includes an orthopaedic boot for which each of said types of orthotic insole is specifically designed to be used.

Preferably, one of the types of orthotic insole is designed to position the foot so that the subtalar joint is held in neutral position, if necessary with the addition of suitable postings (or other adjusting inserts), so alleviating biomechanical foot problems.

Preferably, another of the types of orthotic insole is designed to prevent over-pro-nation of the foot by being shaped so as to apply a force medially to the subtalar axis making it more effective in controlling over-pro-nation.

Preferably, a further type of orthotic insole is designed to stabilise the foot promoting better balance reactions and propioceptive feedback, and has stabilising areas positioned so as to stabilise the dynamic arches of the foot assisting in improving the gait, the orthotic insole also holding the subtalar joint in a neutral position to assist in maintaining balance.

Preferably, each orthotic insole is provided with one or more posting or other adjusting insert so that fine adjustment of the positioning of the orthotic insole within the boot can be performed to customise the orthotic insole to the particular patient's needs.

Preferably, the postings take the form of relatively firm EVA wedges with double sided tape or other adhesive means to enable the postings to be bonded to the underside of the orthotic insoles to achieve the desired degree of correction.

Preferably, the orthotic insoles are made of EVA material with a covering.

A method of fitting the corrective footwear system according to said one aspect of the present invention comprising :assessing the individual patient's corrective needs; measuring the size of the patient's feet; independently selecting the boot and the appropriate type of orthotic insole for each foot to best correct the patient's abnormality; and adjusting, if necessary, the degree of correction afforded by the insole through the use of postings or other adjusting inserts.

It will be readily apparent that each of the types of orthotic insole can be fitted in to the same type of boot so that different combinations of the orthotic insoles can be used in the left and right boots of a pair to correct varying defects.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal view of an orthopaedic boot of the type used in the corrective footwear system.

Fig. 2 shows a first type of orthotic insole to be used in conjunction with said boot to urge the subtalar joint attain a neutral position with suitable postings.

Fig. 3 shows a second type of orthotic insole to be used in conjunction with said boot designed to prevent pro-nation of the foot.

Fig. 4 shows a third type of orthotic insole to be used in conjunction with said boot designed to provide stability and support to the dynamic arches of the foot promoting better balance reaction and propioceptive feedback.

Referring to the drawings, in this embodiment the paediatric corrective footwear system comprises a standard orthopaedic boot 10 (Fig. 1) in combination with three different types of orthotic insole 12,16 and 22 (Figs. 2 to 4 respectively) for each size of boot 10. The boot 10, in this embodiment, is of the type sold under the Registered Trade Mark PIEDRO and, in common with other orthopaedic boots, it has laceable uppers which extend about completely to the toe of the boot so as to allow the boot to be opened fully to the toe. Each insole type 12, 16 and 22 is specifically designed to fit the boot 10 and is available in a multiplicity of different sizes and widths.

Referring to Fig. 2, the orthotic insole 12 possesses a heel cup 14 which has upturned rear and sides and is shaped so as to have a rounded contour internally from its lateral to its medial edge so as cause the subtalar joint of the ankle to be maintained in a neutral position. This is achieved by a combination of external shaping and supportive boot. This aids in maintaining balance. The angle of correction achieved by the orthotic insole may be adjusted by the addition of postings to its underside on either the lateral or medial edge. These are attached in a manner known per se during fitting.

Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings, the orthotic insole 16 possesses a similar heel cup 18 to that of the neutral orthotic insole 12. It is also possesses a 6mm medial heel skive 20 so as to discourage the subtalar from pronating, as is, for example, often seen in children with low muscle tone, whilst not producing excess pressure in the arch of the foot. Again the degree of correction, i. e. the angle at which the foot is held, can be adjusted by the addition of postings to the underside of the orthosis.

These can be added medially or laterally to increase the degree of correction.

Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, the orthotic insole 22 again possesses a heel cup 24 with a rounded contour from its lateral to its medial edge internally to hold the subtalar joint in a neutral position. The orthosis 22 also possesses a central raised area 26 which is positioned just behind the metatarsal joints. This is positioned such that it stabilises the dynamic arches and leads to an improvement in gait and stability. Again adjustments to the angle of the orthosis can be made by the attachments of postings to its underside.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A paediatric corrective footwear system comprising :a plurality of different types of paediatric orthotic insoles which are of such a size and configuration as to fit an orthopaedic boot of the correct size for a patient's foot, each insole type being designed for assisting in correcting one or more respective defects in patients'walking action and/or stance, and said insoles being specifically designed to be used in conjunction with said orthopaedic boot.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, further including an orthopaedic boot for which each of said types of orthotic insole is specifically designed to be used.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the types of orthotic insole is designed to position the foot so that the subtalar joint is held in neutral position, if necessary with the addition of suitable postings or other adjusting inserts.

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4. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein another of the types of orthotic insole is designed to prevent over-pro-nation of the foot by being shaped so as to apply a force medially to the subtalar axis..
5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a further type of orthotic insole is designed to stabilise the foot promoting better balance reactions and propioceptive feedback, and has stabilising areas positioned so as to stabilise the dynamic arches of the foot, the orthotic insole also holding the subtalar joint in a neutral position in use.
6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each orthotic insole is provided with one or more postings or other adjusting inserts so that fine adjustment of the positioning of the orthotic insole within the boot can be performed to customise the orthotic insole to the particular patient's needs.
7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the postings take the form of relatively firm EVA wedges with double sided tape or other adhesive means to enable the postings to be bonded to the

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underside of the orthotic insoles to achieve the desired degree of correction.
8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the orthotic insoles are made of EVA material with a covering.
9. A system as claimed in claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described.
10. A method of fitting a corrective footwear system as claimed in any preceding claim, said method comprising :assessing the individual patient's corrective needs; measuring the size of the patient's feet; independently selecting the boot and the appropriate type of orthotic insole for each foot to best correct the patient's abnormality; and adjusting, if necessary, the degree of correction afforded by the insole through the use of postings or other adjusting inserts.