Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An ankle brace for relative confinement of the foot and ankle to help prevent injury to an individual engaged in active conduct, or inhibit aggravation of pre-existent injury, or provide protection during healing of an injury. A base includes an inner layer of sheet-like material shaped to be engaged in conforming relationship about the foot and ankle. A second layer covers the base. Lateral and medial support panels are embedded on lateral and medial sides of the brace between the inner and second layers. The support panels are formed of a mesh of plastic-type material to conform somewhat to the ankle and lower leg region when the brace in installed and tightly applied to the foot. In one form of the invention, lateral and medial rides are provided with pockets containing removable rigid stay members spanning the area between the lower leg and the upper foot in order to provide greater confinement to the ankle region upon initial healing of an injury. The stays are removable once the healing process is along the way and less restriction is required of the ankle.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim