Method and foot support device for treating plantar fasciitis in the foot of a patient while the patient is mobile

The invention is directed to a method and foot support device for dynamically treating plantar fasciitis in the foot of a patient while enabling patient mobility. The method comprises applying tension to the ball of the foot via a strap held in tension by extending the strap to form a continuous loop, from opposite sides of the knee in the leg of the foot in treatment through an opening in a channel guide member oriented relative to the ball of the foot, with the strap connected at opposite ends thereof to the opposite sides of the knee in alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee and controlling dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia while the patient is mobile by slidably adjusting the position of the strap within the channel guide member in response to the mobility of the patient.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Background of the Invention

The human foot and ankle contain 26 bones and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This complex structure receives the impact of each step experienced by an individual.

One source of heel pain commonly observed is due to a condition known as recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis occurs in the plantar fascia, a fibrous membrane disposed longitudinally across the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia is attached at the heel bone. The plantar fascia becomes broader and thinner as it extends longitudinally across the bottom of the foot, eventually dividing near the heads of the metatarsal bones into five processes, one for each of the five toes. The strongest ligament in the body, the plantar fascia's purpose is to protect the softer muscles and tissues of the bottom of the foot from injury, as well as to help maintain the integrity of the foot structure itself.

If the fascia becomes stretched or strained, the arch area becomes tender and swollen as well as the area about the heel bone. This inflammation is called plantar fasciitis and is typically painful from the heel throughout the arch up into the Achilles tendon. Patients suffering from this condition usually have relatively tight and inflexible heel cords, sometimes referred to as Achilles tendon tightness. When the heel cord is tight, it causes compensation in the foot with over pronation of the foot during weight bearing. The pain is consistently worse when you first get up in the morning and at the end of the day. The pain usually lurks in the heel pad and may include the arch ligament.

Plantar fasciitis is often caused by contracture of the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia, which can occur at night during sleep, or during daytime inactivity. The Achilles tendon, the strongest and thickest tendon in the human body, begins at or about the middle of the posterior side of the leg extending downward towards the heel, narrowing as it progresses towards its point of insertion at the posterior surface of the os calcis. When an individual is standing, walking, running, or even sitting in a position in which the feet are in contact with the floor or other surface, both the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon are extended to varying degrees depending of course on the nature and intensity of the activity. During sleep, an individual has a natural tendency to plantar flex the ankle joint beyond the position, which is normal during walking, standing, or sitting with one's feet on the floor. Plantarflexion is when the bottom of the foot is extended so as to form an angle with the lower leg of greater than 90 degrees, i.e., extend such that the forefoot moves away from the body. Dorsiflexion is the opposite motion, when the foot is moved to a position in which the bottom of the foot forms an angle with the lower leg of less than 90 degrees, i.e., such that the top of the foot moves toward the body.

Another condition, Achilles tendonitis can result from overuse of the tendon in sports activities, and can also result from a number of inflammatory diseases, of which rheumatoid arthritis is one.

Plantar fasciitis has been heretofore treated with the foot undergoing treatment held essentially immobile. One common treatment of plantar fasciitis with the foot held immobile is to use a night splint. The night splint is a static device which typically consists, essentially, of a boot-like structure, which is strapped to a patient's lower leg and foot, holding the foot in a fixed position relative to the lower leg so that the leg does not move and with the ankle joint in slight dorsiflexion so that both the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon are slightly extended and are not allowed to contract during the night. Although the night splint device is somewhat beneficial in the treatment of plantar fasciitis it is uncomfortable and limits mobility to the wearer and accordingly, the duration of treatment is limited.

Other static foot support devices such as braces and splints are known for maintaining the plantar fascia of the foot in a neutral to slight dorsiflexion under application of static tension. One such device is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,864 (Beckwith et al.) which includes (a) a calf strap removably engagable to the calf of a leg; (b) a foot assembly removably engagable to the foot of the leg such that when the device is worn the assembly can be positioned proximate to the ball of the foot intermediate to the midfoot and forefoot areas of the foot to secure it to the foot; and (c) a substantially inelastic tension member connectable between the calf strap and the foot assembly in a tensioned manner such that when the device is worn plantarflexion of the ankle is limited which in turn is able to keep the plantar surface of the foot held in a neutral to slight dorsiflexion. Once again, this device is a static device which does not permit the patient to be mobile while undergoing treatment and the duration of treatment is relatively limited.

An additional disadvantage of the calf strap configuration in Beckwith et al. is that the calf muscle receives the tension force which leads to discomfort for the user which is one reason use of the foot support device is limited to relatively short time durations. Another disadvantage of a calf strap configuration is that it requires the calf to be connected to the foot assembly which generates a downward force on the calf and prevents the user from making lateral adjustments in tension.

Currently there is no foot support device commercially available which can controllably maintain dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia while at the same time permit the patient to be mobile, other than Strassburg Sock U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,155 i.e., move the foot while undergoing treatment and walk. However, the Strassburg configuration requires the pulling on the toes in addition to tight restriction on the leg which may impact circulation on the leg. Therefore Strassburg is contrary to the concept and arrangement of structural elements in the subject invention.

What is therefore desired, is a device which functions dynamically, not statically and is able to control dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia while at the same time allowing the patient to be mobile and to move the leg while undergoing treatment. This results in substantially increased patient comfort and allows the duration of medical treatment to be substantially longer which, in turn, alleviates plantar fasciitis in a much shorter duration of time as compared to the use of conventional static devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method has been discovered in accordance with the present invention for dynamically treating plantar fasciitis which permits patient mobility comprising the steps of applying tension to the ball of the foot via a strap held in tension by extending the strap to form a continuous loop, from opposite sides of the knee in the leg of said foot in alignment with the rotatable axis of the knee, through an opening in a channel guide member oriented relative to the ball of the foot and controlling dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia while the patient is mobile by slidably adjusting the position of the strap within the channel guide member in response to the mobility of the patient while the foot is maintained in constant dorsiflexion.

The present invention is also directed to a foot support device, adapted for attachment to a leg of a patient, for dynamically treating plantar fasciitis in a foot in said leg of said patient by controlling and maintaining dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia even if the patient is mobile during treatment, with the foot support device comprising:

a foot assembly comprising a sock, adapted for placement over the foot in said leg to undergo treatment, and a guide member affixed to the sock proximate the ball of the foot with said guide member having an opening extending therethrough;

a knee assembly comprising a first and second adjustable strap in a relationship above and below the kneecap of the knee in said leg, and a material section interconnecting the first adjustable strap to the second adjustable strap such that upon attachment of the foot support device to said leg the knee assembly forms a brace for the knee which engages and surrounds the knee. A knee assembly comprised of flexible material with a securing adjustment strap at top of the knee assembly which is attached by velcro and a securing adjustment strap at the bottom of the knee assembly which is attached by velcro.

a tension assembly comprising a tension strap having open ends with the tension strap able to slide and extend through the opening in said guide member;

coupling members for interconnecting the open ends of said tension strap to the knee assembly, at points of connection to the knee assembly located on opposite sides of the knee in substantial alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee, such that the tension strap is held in tension with the tension strap forming a continuous loop extending from one side of the knee assembly through the passageway in said guide member under said ball of the foot to the opposite side of said knee assembly; and

means for adjusting tension in said tension strap such that consistent and uniform pressure is applied to the ball of the foot undergoing treatment while allowing the strap member, held in tension, to slide and adjust position within the guide member when the patient is mobile and moves the leg during treatment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the foot support device10of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 1-4inclusive, comprising at least the following three main elements: (a) a foot assembly1, (b) a Tension Assembly comprised of tension straps3and4, and (c) a Knee Assembly2with the three main elements forming a single integrated unit. The Knee Assembly2, as is shown inFIG. 1, is comprised of elastic material14composed preferably of a soft synthetic fabric, a securing adjustment strap12at the top of the Knee Assembly2, a securing adjustment strap11at the bottom of the Knee Assembly2, and two rigid buckles7and8affixed to the section14of elastic material on opposite sides of the knee assembly2in alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee. The elastic material14provides the foundation of Knee Assembly2, forming a comfortable brace, which upon attachment to the leg, surrounds and engages the knee. The upper and lower securing adjustment straps12and11are part of the Knee Assembly2with the securing upper adjustment strap12located directly above the kneecap and the lower securing adjustment strap12located directly below the kneecap. The upper and lower securing adjustment straps12and11removably engage and disengage the Knee Assembly2to the leg. This is preferably accomplished using Velcro strips of material24and25(not shown22and23) with a first set of strips of Velcro material (22and23not shown) fixedly attached to the tips of both the upper and lower securing adjustment straps on one side thereof and a second set of Velcro strips24and25fixedly attached on a side of the Knee Assembly2opposing the corresponding locations of the first set of velcro strips as will be explained in greater detail in connection with the second embodiment of the invention and as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11. The Velcro strips function as velcro fasteners for manually engaging and disengaging the Knee Assembly2to the knee upon wrapping or unwrapping the securing adjustment straps12and11around the knee and engaging or disengaging the first and second set of Velcro strips to one another.

The rigid buckles7and8may each be composed of a metal loop in preferably a rectangular configuration having opposite open sides with one open side of each metal buckle7and8in an adjustable engagement with a free end of each tension strap3and4and with the other open side of each metal buckle7and8affixed to the Knee Assembly2on opposite sides thereof. The free end of each tension strap3and4may be looped in a conventional manner through one open side of each metal buckle7and8so that the position of attachment of each tension strap3and4to the rigid buckles7and8is manually adjustable. The opposite open side of each metal buckle7and8may be connected to the Knee Assembly2using two interconnecting strips of securing fabric5and6which may be directly stitched to the elastic material14of the Knee Assembly2so that the position of the rigid buckles7and8on opposite sides of the Knee Assembly2lie in alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee.

Each tension strap3and4is anchored to the knee assembly2at opposite sides of the rotatable joint of the knee through the rigid buckles7and8with the opposite end of each tension strap3and4connected together to form a single continuous tension strap extending from the Knee Assembly2on opposite sides of the knee and slides freely extending through a strap channel guide member9in the Foot Assembly1relative to the ball of the foot for providing continuous tension to the ball of the foot even when the leg is moved by the patient during treatment of the foot for plantar fasciitis as will be hereafter explained in greater detail. Tension in the continuous strap is controlled by adjustably tightening the tension strap [FIG. 1, member3] in the rigid buckle7or by adjustably tightening the coupling of both tension strap3and4in the rigid buckles7and8respectively. Tension in member3is channeled through the rigid buckle member7for applying appropriate tension to dorsiflex the ball of the foot.

By anchoring the tension straps3and4to the opposite sides of the knee at a fulcrum point contiguous with the rotatable joint of the knee assures uniformity and consistency in tension in each of the tension straps3and4even if the patient is mobile. The tension applied by the tension straps3and4in the Foot Support Device10must remain substantially constant and consistent to therapeutically treat plantar fasciitis while simultaneously moving the leg or simultaneously walking. This is a result of the interconnected adjustable tension straps3and4which slide freely within the strap channel guide opening13of the strap channel guide member9in the Foot Assembly1relative to the ball of the foot so that as the patient moves the foot in treatment the interconnected tension straps3and4slide within the strap channel guide member9to maintain uniform and consistent dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia. This dynamic arrangement between the integrated Foot Assembly1, Knee Assembly2and the tension straps3and4in the Tension Assembly is therefore critical if the patient, wearing the Foot Support Device10, desires mobility while undergoing treatment for plantar fasciitis.

The Foot Assembly1, comprises a sock30adapted to be worn over the foot with the strap channel guide member9, attached to the sock30under the ball of the foot, providing a free sliding medium for tension straps3and4the single continuous tension strap, formed by the interconnected tension straps3and4, through the strap channel guide opening13in the strap channel guide member9to dorsiflex the ball of the foot. The pressure applied by the tension straps3and4to the ball of the foot controls dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia. As long as pressure on both sides of the foot is maintained equal and tension in the straps3and4is maintained substantially constant, the ball of the foot can be dorsiflexed while simultaneously moving the leg thereby simultaneously allowing the leg to be mobile while at the same time controlling dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia in the foot. This is accomplished only when each tension straps3and4is anchored to the Knee Assembly2at a position, in substantial alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee, on opposite sides of the Knee Assembly2, which assures that the tension applied by the tension straps3and4will be substantially uniform and constant.

It should be understood that the Tension Assembly in the subject invention requires only one tension strap3to be adjustably looped through a rigid buckle7and secured by securing material5to one side of the Knee Assembly2to form a point of connection between the tension strap3and the rigid buckle7with the location in alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee. The other tension strap4may be fixedly attached to the Knee Assembly2on the opposite side of the knee without the use of a rigid buckle8i.e., by means of a direct connection or another type of buckle or a coupling as used in the second embodiment of the present invention. Nevertheless, the point of connection between each tension strap3and4and the Knee Assembly2must still be in alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee. The use of two rigid buckles7and8secured to the Knee Assembly2on opposite sides of the knee with each rigid buckle connecting one end of each tension strap3and4to the Knee Assembly2at a location in alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee is one preferred way to assure that consistent tension will be applied to the ball of the foot in accordance with the present invention which will permit the patient to be mobile and move the leg under treatment. This arrangement also facilitates easy attachment and removal of the Tension Assembly tension straps3and4to and from the Knee Assembly2.

The Foot Assembly1illustrated inFIG. 3comprises a sock30in combination with the strap channel guide member9and strap channel guide opening13. The continuous strap, formed by the interconnected tension straps3and4, slides freely, passing through the strap channel guide opening13in the strap channel guide member9to go from one side of the Knee Assembly2to a corresponding location on the opposite side of the Knee Assembly2in alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee. The strap channel guide member9is preferably attached to the bottom of the sock30so that the continuous loop of tension straps3and4will be guided through the strap channel guide opening13of the strap channel guide member9preferably under the ball of the foot and in a direction transverse to the arch which guarantees appropriate dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia. The strap channel guide member9may be fixed to the sock30with an adhesive or by stitching, or any other known method.

The sock30in addition to orienting the loop of tension straps3and4through the strap channel guide member9also assures that the Foot Assembly1is comfortable for the wearer and hygienic as it is easily washable. The strap channel guide member9must orient the direction of the continuous strap of tension straps3and4through the Foot Assembly1along a path directly under the ball of the foot to achieve consistent dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia. If a sock30were not used, the strap channel guide member9may readily be pulled away from the ball of the foot the minute pressure is applied to the loop of tension straps3and4and may cause damage to the toes or fail to maintain the loop of tension straps3and4in a fixed orientation relative to the arch of the foot to assure constant tension and thereby lose the ability to provide appropriate dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia during movement of the leg.

The use of a sock30prevents shifting of position of the loop of tension straps3and4relative to the ball of the foot. As long as the loop of tension straps3and4extends from a position on opposite sides of the Knee Assembly2in alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee and lies in a fixed position relative to the ball of the foot, applying consistent pressure to the ball of the foot which, in turn, guarantees consistent dorsiflexion to the plantar fascia while allowing the patient to be mobile. Accordingly, a guide member, such as strap channel guide member9is essential, to orient the strap of tension straps3and4to slide under the ball of the foot through the strap channel guide member9or alternatively, across the ball of the foot by locating the strap channel guide member9over the foot and preferably on the top of the sock30. Either method will provide the comfort and mobility required in this embodiment of the invention.

A Foot Assembly1which includes a sock30increases the comfort of the user and by securing the strap channel guide member9in the Foot Assembly1to the bottom of the sock30and under the ball of the foot concentrates the tension force at the ball of the foot. The Foot Assembly1should preferably be made from materials that can be easily cleaned and will provide comfort to the user when the Foot Support Device10is attached to the leg while asleep or when sitting or walking.

As explained previously, the Tension Assembly comprises two linear tension straps3and4which are attached to each other to form one continuous strap which extends about the ball of the foot from the Foot Assembly1to the Knee Assembly2. Each linear tension strap3and4is channeled through a rigid buckle7and8secured to the Knee Assembly2. The user can tighten the tension strap3by pulling the tension strap3further through the rigid buckle7until a desired tension is achieved before securing the tension strap to the rigid buckle using, for example, a hook and loop fastener (not shown) which is then attached to tension strap3. In reference to the embodiment shown inFIG. 2, the tension straps3and4are channeled onto the Knee Assembly via the buckles7and8at the side of the rotatable joint of the knee where they maintain controllable and consistent dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia in accordance with tension adjustment to the tension straps3and4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SECOND EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The second embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 5throughFIGS. 14A-14Binclusive, comprising at least the following three main elements: (a) a Foot Assembly1, (b) a Tension Assembly34and (c) a Knee Assembly2with the three main elements forming a single integrated unit. The same reference numbers are used in the second embodiment to identify identical components used in the first embodiment. The Knee Assembly2, as is shown inFIG. 5, includes elastic material14composed of soft stretchable polyurethane synthetic or similar type fabric, which upon attachment to the leg forms a brace surrounding the knee. The Knee Assembly2also includes an upper securing adjustment strap12and a lower securing adjustment strap11with the upper strap12located directly above the kneecap and the lower strap11located directly below the kneecap as in the first embodiment. As shown inFIG. 10, a Velcro fastener tip22is attached to the upper securing adjustment strap12on its underside at an outer end thereof and Velcro fastener tip23is attached to the lower securing adjustment strap11on its underside at an outer end diametrically opposite the location of the Velcro fastener tip22. The Knee Assembly2, in the second embodiment also includes a non-slip liner27which serves to stabilize the Knee Assembly2, as shown inFIG. 10, is attached to the elastic material14on its underside surface and further includes Velcro fastener sections24and25on opposite ends of the non-slip liner27. The Knee Assembly2is removably attached to the user's leg, by properly fastening both upper and lower securing adjustment straps12and11to the Knee Assembly2, positioning the alignment opening29of the Knee Assembly2with the kneecap to establish proper alignment of the Knee Assembly2on the knee of the leg and attaching the velcro fastener tips22and23to the velcro fastener sections24and25. The placement of the fastener velcro tips22and23relative to the position of the velcro fastener sections24and25on the circumference of the knee allows the wearer to adjust the degree of tightness of the upper and lower securing adjustment straps12and11and the Knee Assembly2to the knee of the user's leg. The Knee Assembly2is readily removed from the leg upon disengaging the Velcro fastener tips22and23on the upper and lower securing adjustment straps12and11from the velcro fastener sections24and25.

The present invention employs coupling members for readily engaging and disengaging the Tension Assembly34to and from the Knee Assembly2which in the first embodiment corresponds to the rigid buckles7and8and in the second embodiment preferably comprises two pairs of conventional male and female quick connects,17,18and19,20, preferably of the bayonet type, as shown inFIGS. 13A and 13B. A male quick connect member20and a female quick connect member17are attached to the Knee Assembly2in an arrangement with each located on opposite sides of the central opening29of the Knee Assembly2, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 11, in a position such that when the Foot Support Device10is attached to the leg to be treated the central opening29in the knee assembly2is aligned to expose the kneecap. The connection point between the pair of quick connect members20and19on one side of the knee and the connection point between the pair of quick connect members17and18on the opposite side of the knee are in substantial alignment with the axis Z-Z extending through the rotatable joint of the knee. The quick connect members20and19are preferably located on opposite sides of the central opening29adjacent the Velcro sections24and25as shown inFIG. 11and may be affixed to the Knee Assembly2by stitching or with an adhesive.

The Tension Assembly34as shown inFIG. 12comprises a single tension strap3with one end thereof attached to the male quick connect member18and with the other end of the tension strap3attached to the female quick connect member19as is shown inFIG. 9. The male quick connect member18engages the female quick connect member17on one side of the Knee Assembly2and the female quick connect member19engages the male quick connect member20on the opposite side of the knee assembly2. The Tension Assembly34further includes a clamp assembly16which is fixedly mounted upon the female quick connect member19as shown inFIG. 9andFIG. 14Arespectively. The strap3in the Tension Assembly34is fed through the clamp assembly16which comprises an adjustable strap clamp21and a manually operated locking lever26, as shown inFIGS. 14A and 14B. The tension strap3is locked into a set position by depressing the locking lever26into the strap clamp21of the clamp assembly16. The clamp assembly16is mounted upon and affixed to the female quick connect member19by adhesion or by other suitable method. The Tension Assembly34is comprised of only the single tension strap3which forms a continuous loop between the Knee Assembly2and the Foot Assembly1. A gradient reference system15is affixed to the tension strap3, preferably on the right side of the knee, for establishing reference settings points on the tension strap corresponding to tension settings of the tension strap3which readily enables the user to set and recall settings of the tension strap3for maintaining consistent dorsiflexion to the foot in the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis.

The Foot Assembly1, is comprised of a sock30, and a strap channel guide member9preferably attached to the bottom of the sock30using an adhesive or by stitching the sock30to the strap channel guide member9, with the strap channel guide member9preferably oriented in a direction across the ball of the foot. The strap channel guide member9, maintains orientation of the tension strap3relative to the ball of the foot and has an opening13extending therethrough which allows the tension strap3to slide freely to adjust position within the opening13of the strap channel guide member9such that consistent tension is applied from the tension strap3to the ball of the foot for the purpose of simultaneously dorsiflexing the plantar fascia while the patient is mobile, i.e., is moving the leg under treatment. The sliding motion of the tension strap3through the strap channel guide member9automatically equalizes the pressure on both sides of the foot which allows for mobility of the leg while consistent balanced tension is being applied to the foot for the proper treatment of plantar fasciitis. By attaching the strap channel guide member9to the bottom of the sock30under the ball of the foot guarantees that the tension strap3will always be connected to the ball of the foot and in a proper orientation to apply appropriate dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia. The strap channel guide member9also protects the ankle and the foot from unnecessary torqueing and twisting as tension is adjusted in the tension member3, as a result of the tension member3adjustably sliding in the strap channel guide member9. This automatically keeps the tension force equalized on both sides of the foot.

The non-slip liner27in the Knee Assembly2prevents slippage and movement of the Knee Assembly2upon attachment of the Foot Support Device10to the leg and sets the Knee Assembly2in place which stabilizes the Tension Assembly34. When the foot support device10is in use the quick connector members17,18,19and20anchor the Tension Assembly34to the Knee Assembly for providing consistent tension to the ball of the foot even during movement of the leg. The quick connector members17,18,19and20also allow the user to quickly release the Tension Assembly34from the Knee Assembly2when the treatment session is completed. The clamp assembly16enables the wearer to set the tension of the tension strap3and the pressure applied to the plantar fascia by adjusting the position in which the tension strap3is locked in the clamp assembly16. The setting of the locked position of the tension strap3in the clamp assembly16provides adjustable control of the proper tension setting for dorsiflexing the foot. The gradient reference system15is a visual aid enabling the wearer to select an alphabetical setting of tension and to inform the wearer as to the progress gained through usage, so that the wearer can consistently set and maintain the tension required to optimize dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia.

The connection points formed upon engagement of the quick connect members20and17in the Knee Assembly2to the quick connect members19and18affixed to the tension strap3are located on opposite sides of the knee in alignment with the axis Z-Z extending through the rotatable joint in the knee as shown inFIG. 6. Because the quick connect members17and20, attached to the Knee Assembly2, are located in alignment with the rotatable joint of the knee the tension force from the tension strap3is transferred from the rotatable joint of the knee to the ball of the foot. Thus, when the Foot Support Device10is in use, the tension force transferred from the rotatable joint of the knee provides consistent dorsiflexion of the plantar fascia even while the patient is mobile and the leg is being moved. The quick connectors18and19on each end of the tension strap3enable the wearer to easily detach the Tension Assembly34and the Knee Assembly2upon completion of the treatment for plantar fasciitis. The wearer then removes the sock30and the Foot Assembly1followed by the removal of Knee Assembly2from the leg.

By using a sock30for orienting the tension strap3through the strap channel guide member9, assures that the Foot Assembly1will be comfortable to the wearer. Moreover, the sock30is easily washable once the Tension Assembly strap3is disengaged from the strap channel guide member9and removed from the leg. The comfort of a sock30allows the patient the mobility to easily move the foot with no discomfort, and to more comfortably walk or sleep with the Foot Support Device10attached to the leg.

It should be understood by that many different foot assemblies are possible. Although the tension strap3should be fed through the opening13in the strap channel guide member9so that the tension strap3may slide freely in the strap channel guide member9can be oriented relative to the ball of the foot by placement across the ball of the foot or under the ball of the foot and the strap channel guide member9may be affixed to the top of the sock30provided the tension strap3is able to slide through the guide member relative to the ball of the foot. Either method would provide comfort and mobility to the patient. Nevertheless, it is preferred for the strap channel guide member9to be secured to the bottom of the sock30under the ball of the foot because this arrangement concentrates the tension force at the ball of the foot. It should be understood that the sock30can be represented by any soft material in any configuration which can be affixed to the foot to which the guide member9can be secured at a location preferably under the ball of the foot. The Foot Assembly1is composed of soft materials that can be easily cleaned, allow mobility and provide comfort while sleeping, sitting or walking. In fact it is preferred that all of the elements of the Foot Support Device10including the Knee Assembly2, Foot Assembly1, and Tension Assembly34, be composed of soft materials which are comfortable, washable, and portable as the device is easily packed for travel or transport for convenience which encourages use and consequently enhances the chance for improvement of the plantar fasciitis condition.

It is preferable that the tension strap3be a linear continuous strap and should extend through the Foot Assembly1to the Knee Assembly2with the tension strap3on each side of Tension Assembly34secured to the Knee Assembly2to form connection points, represented by engagement of the quick connect members17,18,19and20between the Tension Assembly34and the Knee Assembly2. InFIG. 6the tension strap3on the left side of the knee is shown threaded through the male quick connect member18for engagement with the female quick connect17attached to the Knee Assembly2. Only the tension strap3on the right side of the knee which extends through the clamp assembly16is adjustable by pulling the tension strap3upward through the strap clamp21in the clamp assembly16for controlling tension and resultant dorsiflexion of the foot before securing the strap clamp21in place by snapping the locking lever26to the closed position to secure tension strap3at a desired setting. Gradient reference system15, in Tension Assembly34, is the visual alphabetic device that allows the wearer to quickly recall or select the desired setting that determines the appropriate tension on the plantar fascia by closing the strap clamp21in the clamp assembly16at the appropriate tension setting for the tension strap3.

It should be understood that the foregoing is illustrative and not limiting, and that obvious modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essence of the invention.