Importance

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Abstract

An orthotic device for the heel of a person's foot. The orthotic device includes a flexible cup-shaped body member adapted to surround the heel and adjacent portions of a person's foot when worn by the person. The cup-shaped body member includes an integral substantially solid heel cushion disposed on said body member in the vicinity of the heel of the person when the orthotic device is worn, three substantially solid rib members extending substantially longitudinally along the length of the bottom portion of the body member, and a tendon supporting portion provided on the cup-shaped body member which is adapted to surround and support a portion of the Achilles tendon when the orthotic device is worn. Relieved areas are provided on the cup-shaped body member for joining the heel cushion to the bottom portion and to the tendon supporting portion to permit limited freedom of movement of the heel cushion relative to the sole portion and the tendon supporting portion when the device is worn. One of the rib members comprises a central rib member, the surface of which lies substantially in the same plane as the bottom part of the heel cushion. The other rib members comprise lateral rib members laterally spaced on opposite sides of the central rib member. As such, the orthotic device provides the benefits of a solid cushioning heel portion while providing freedom and flexibility of movement thereof relative to the remaining portions of the orthotic device as a result of the relieved areas thereon.

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First Claim