Abstract:
A method and device for treating heel pain comprises a first support mechanism for disposition about the heel region of a human foot and a secondary support mechanism for disposition about an arch region of a human foot. When disposed about the heel region and arch region respectively, the first support mechanism and the second support mechanism support the plantar fascia in a more normal biomechanical position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Heel pain is a commonly reported foot complaint. Millions of cases are reported in the U.S. each year. Of the reported cases, roughly half are from individuals who have had heel pain for over a year. 
     Many of the reported complaints of heel pain are caused by or are related to the medical condition known as plantar fasciitis. 
     Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs are sometimes used as synonyms by the medical profession. However they are not the same. Plantar fasciitis can be a precursor to the development of a spur. Heel spurs develop as a result of chronic stress, wherein the body lays down calcium in response to irritation. Heel spurs are often sub-clinical. As many as 30% of the population have heel spurs and don&#39;t know it. It is usually plantar fasciitis that brings people to the doctor. The plantar fascia is a type of connective tissue that acts like a bowstring in connecting the forefoot (metatarsals) to the calcaneal bone of the heel. It aids other musculature on the underside of the foot to uphold the arch. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Orthotics, orthopedic supports, taping procedures, and other devices and methods of treatment have been developed for the treatment of heel pain resulting from heel spurs/plantar fasciitis. For example: 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,967 a heel pain relief method and brace are described wherein it is proposed that heel pain may be addressed by a support designed to draw the heel medial-ward by pulling a strap around the bottom of the heel from lateral to medial and fastening it to the sleeve of the brace. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,779 an elastic sock is described which is designed to support the foot longitudinally utilizing elastic material, thereby reducing stress to the plantar fascia. The effectiveness of the sock is based on the premise that heel pain is caused by a stretching of the plantar fascia longitudinally. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,659 describes addressing heel pain caused by a contracture of the calf muscle. This support is designed to create an acute angle between the foot and the lower leg while the patient is sleeping. This presumably assists in lengthening the calf muscle, thereby reducing stress on the plantar fascia. 
     The entire content of all of the patents listed within the present patent application are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below. 
     A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to several embodiments for addressing and relieving heel pain in an individual, particularly heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis. 
     In at least one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method for treating plantar fasciitis wherein a support member or primary support mechanism, such as athletic tape, is wrapped around the calcaneal bone of the heel in a very tight manner to support the area of the plantar fascia where it inserts into the calcaneal bone of the heel. 
     In at least some embodiments a secondary support mechanism is utilized to support the plantar fascia medially. 
     In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a unique brace or sock, which incorporates both of a primary support mechanism and a secondary support mechanism in a single wearable unit. Preferably, the sock may be worn beneath other footwear such as a shoe or boot. 
     Further aspects of the invention will become apparent form the detailed description which follows. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the following drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention as applied to a human foot. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention as applied to a human foot. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention directed to a unique sock or boot for addressing plantar fasciitis wherein the sock is shown in the unsecured state. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 wherein the sock is shown in the secured state about a human foot. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 wherein the sock is shown with the primary support mechanism being initially secured. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 wherein the sock is shown with the primary support mechanism in a secured state. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 wherein the sock is shown with the secondary mechanism being initially secured. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 wherein the sock is shown with the secondary support mechanism in a secured state. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 wherein the foot is shown in phantom. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As stated above the present invention may be embodied in many forms. For example, in FIG. 1 a first embodiment of the invention is depicted wherein athletic tape or other type of securement strap, member or members  10  comprise a primary support mechanism  15  for supporting the plantar fascia  20  where it engages the calcaneus  12  of the heel  14  of a human foot  16 . In at least one embodiment, the member  10  is a material having little elasticity that is wrapped tightly around the heel  14  to apply a primary compressive force of support, indicated by arrows  18  to the heel  14 . This compressive force acts to support the plantar fascia  20  thereby aiding in the direct alleviation of heel pain brought on by plantar fasciitis. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 2, a secondary support mechanism  25  is utilized with the primary support mechanism  15 . In the present embodiment, the secondary support mechanism  25  is disposed about the arch  22  of the foot  16  in order to provide a secondary compressive force of support such as is indicated by arrows  24 . 
     The secondary support mechanism  25  may also be comprised of a member or members  10  as previously discussed above. However, in at least one embodiment, the secondary support mechanism  25  is constructed of a member or members  10  that is at least somewhat elastic to allow for foot splaying during the push-off phase of gait. The secondary support mechanism  25  is pulled up and around the medial aspect of the foot whereupon the secondary support mechanism  25  is attached to the ankle region  44 . 
     The combination of the primary support mechanism  15  and the secondary support mechanism  25 , provides the foot  16 , and particularly the plantar fascia  20  and the surrounding musculature, with in a more normal biomechanical position, thereby facilitating healing of the plantar fascia and/or heel spur. 
     While taping or wrapping the foot with members  10  may provide a patient with desired pain relief and treatment of plantar fasciitis, proper taping or wrapping with members  10  may be compromised particularly due to the shape of the foot, and individual patient&#39;s intolerances and/or comfort levels. 
     In order to provide a patient with the plantar fasciitis treatment described above without the need to repeatedly tape the foot with athletic tape of other individual securement members, an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which provides an adjustable sock or boot  30  that may be comfortably worn on the patient&#39;s foot while providing both a primary support mechanism  15  and a secondary support mechanism  25 . In FIG. 3, the sock  30  is shown prior to being placed over a foot wherein the support mechanisms are shown in the unengaged or unsecured position. In FIG. 4, the sock  30  is shown placed on a foot  16  wherein both the primary support mechanism  15  and the secondary support mechanism  25  are shown in a secured or engaged position thereabout. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the support mechanisms  15  and  25  may comprise a variety of straps or bands that may be secured to the body of the sock in a variety of manners. As a result, the support mechanisms  15  and  25  may be adjusted for a variety of anatomical differences and comfort levels. 
     For example, in an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5 the primary support mechanism  15  comprises one or more securement straps  32  each having an end fixedly engaged to the body  34  of the sock  30 . In the embodiment shown, the primary support mechanism  15  further comprises an adjustment clasp, fastener or bracket  36  through which the strap or straps  32  are threaded to provide the heel region  38  of the sock  30  with an adjustable loop  40  thereabout. The loop  40  may be loosened or tightened as desired by adjusting the length of the straps  32  relative to the bracket  36  and then puling the free ends  42  of the straps  32  tight. 
     In the embodiment shown the straps are constructed of any material having sufficient material strength to be tightly wound through the bracket  36  and about a heel of an individual. Preferably the straps  32  are constructed of nylon, cotton, or other materials such as: canvas, and/or vinyl, etc. In some embodiments it may also be desirable to provide straps  32  or at least a portion thereof with a more flexible or elastic material such as: laminate material, neoprene, latex, Tietex®, Ultrilure®, elastic cotton, rubber, foam rubber, etc. Materials such as these may be sewn or woven into straps  32  as well as flaps  50  which are provided for in detail below. The straps  32  must be sufficiently inflexible so as to provide a fairly tight tension or compressive force of support about the heel. 
     The body  34  of the sock  30  may be constructed of a relatively flexible material such as latex-vinyl material such as neoprene. Preferably a single size sock will have sufficient elasticity to be capable of stretching to accommodate a range of foot sizes. However socks may be constructed in different sizes and shapes as may be desired or necessary. Other materials suitable for use in construction of the body  34  include but are not limited to those provided above for the construction of straps  32 . 
     Once the straps  32  have been disposed about the heel region  38  and sufficiently tightened to apply pressure to the foot, the free ends  42  of the straps  32  may be secured to an ankle region  44  such as is shown in FIG.  6 . Preferably, ankle region  44  and straps  32  are at least partially comprised of hook-and-loop material such as Velcro™. As a result the free ends  42  of the straps  32  may be removably engaged to the ankle region  44  as shown. In an alternative embodiment the free ends  42  may be merely tied together about the ankle region  44 , or otherwise fastened to ensure the sufficiency of the force supplied by loop  40 . 
     Once the straps  32  form loop  40  and are secured at or about the ankle region  44 , the secondary support mechanism  25  may be secured about the arch region  46  of the body  34  such as is shown in FIG.  7 . As is shown in FIG. 7, the secondary support mechanism is shown as one or more flaps  50  having a first end  52  secured to the bottom  54  of the sock body  34 . The free end  56  of the flap  50  are folded up and about the arch region  46  and are subsequently secured to the ankle region  44  and or each other, such as in the manner shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. This unique fold and engagement configuration ensures that the plantar fascia  20 , such as is shown in FIG. 9, is supported in a natural and biomechanical position. 
     The effect of the secondary support mechanism  25  is to pull the flap  50  around the medial aspect of the foot  16 , whereupon the flap  50  is attached to the top or ankle region  44 . This serves to raise the arch  46  and subsequently approximates the forefoot and the heel. This action shortens the plantar fascia  20 , thus relieving tension on its insertion into the calcaneus. 
     As indicated above, the secondary support mechanism  25  is preferably sufficiently flexible to accommodate foot splaying such as a foot experiences during walking. As a result flaps  50  are preferably constructed of a relatively flexible material such as are described above. In order to be removably engaged to the ankle region  44  as well as to themselves, the flaps  50  preferably comprise some type of mechanical engagement material, such as hook-and-loop material previously described. 
     By providing support to the plantar fascia  20 , such as is shown in FIG. 9, the sock  30  ensures that the primary and secondary compressive forces of support act to pull the plantar fascia  30  from a first position, common to sufferers of plantar fasciitis, shown in dashed line, to a second position more biomechanically correct position shown in solid line. 
     While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific preferred embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. 
     In addition to being directed to the specific combinations of features claimed below, the invention is also directed to embodiments having other combinations of the dependent features claimed below and other combinations of the features described above. 
     The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”. Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims. 
     Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below.