Patent ID: 11944561
Assignee: BRACEABILITY, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 10:
11. A method of preventing toe walking, comprising:
providing a toe walking prevention article including a first component comprising a soft or flexible material having a length and a length direction configured for at least extending from a middle of a foot of a wearer to toes of the foot, the foot including a heel, an arch, and a ball located below the toes, wherein the first component has at least one securing feature configured to secure to the foot; including a rigid component comprising a stiff material securely attached to the first component via an outer layer encasing the rigid component, and configured for placement underneath the ball, wherein at least a perimeter of the outer layer is permanently attached to the first component, wherein a surface area of the outer layer is less than a surface area of the first component, wherein the first component or the securing feature is configured for being positioned between the rigid component and the foot, and wherein the rigid component is disposed onto an outside surface of the first component or the securing feature;
attaching the toe walking prevention article to the foot so that the rigid component is under the ball;
wherein, when the wearer toe walks so that the heel is off a ground, the rigid component pushes on a sensory nerve located at the ball of the foot which causes an uncomfortable sensation to the wearer, and
responsive to the uncomfortable sensation, the wearer moving the heel of the foot onto the ground.