Patent ID: 8122550
Filing Date: 2012-02-28
Classification: A61H,A63B

Abstract:
1. A method of treating osteoarthritis in a subject suffering from an arthritic joint, comprising: providing a cushioned wedged slab comprising a flat bottom and a sloping top that defines a lower edge and an upper edge that extend parallel and longitudinally along the entire slab, wherein the wedged slab is constructed from a material that partially collapses under compressive force and rebounds when the compressive force is removed; determining whether the subject suffers from arthritis of a medial compartment or a lateral compartment; tailoring a lateral wedged insole from the wedged slab to reduce force on a medial joint compartment if the subject suffers from arthritis of a medial compartment, or tailoring a medial wedged insole from the wedged slab to reduce force on a lateral joint compartment if the subject suffers from arthritis of a lateral compartment; wherein the step of tailoring the lateral or medial wedged insole comprises placing an insole template on the bottom or top of the wedged slab depending on (a) whether the subject suffers from arthritis of the lateral compartment or the medial compartment, and (b) the location of the arthritic joint, and trimming the wedged slab to match the template; and treating the subject with the tailored wedged insole, wherein