Importance

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Abstract

An improved ankle brace that is easily adjustable for improved comfort and use. The ankle brace includes a pair of relatively rigid side supports to fit about a lower leg of a patient, and the lower area of the side supports may be adapted to position an assembly of heel straps. The assembly may include at least two straps, which are coupled at the ends and adapted to adjust the effective length of the assembly, so that it may be accommodated for different heel widths of different patients. Alternatively, the assembly may include three pieces, an intermediary member for linking the other two straps. The assembly may be attached to the side supports through a pin mechanism that may be either capped (as by heat staking) or welded at the end to hold it in position. Alternatively, a cap with protruding plastic pin may be molded directly onto the strap, effectively making them one piece to be assembled as such. Also, the assembly is preferably made of flexible resilient material so that it will comfortably conform to patient's heel, but be resistant to stretching.

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First Claim