Adjustable arch support orthosis including variably tensioned arch curve and method of utilizing orthosis

An arch support orthosis includes an arch curve being variably tensioned for supporting a user's arch and foot. The arch support orthosis includes a metatarsal curve, a curved heel portion and a continuous medial longitudinal arch curve. An anterior slope and posterior slope of the arch curve include varying thicknesses from the base of each slope to a crown of the arch curve. A greater base thickness of each anterior and posterior slope provides firm support of the respective anterior curve and posterior curve of a user's arch, with the crown being resiliently supportive of the user's arch during weighted and unweighted use. A means for tensioning having an adjusting means are connectable under the continuous arch curve between the anterior and posterior slopes, thereby allowing a user to adjust angles of the respective slopes and the tension along the arch curve for treating plantar fasciitis and other foot disorders.

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of arch support orthosis for feet, and more particularly to a therapeutic arch orthosis including a variably tensioned arch curve and a method of utilizing the orthosis in treating foot disorders.

2. Description of Related Art

Prior foot support devices typically provide flexible cushioning material for support of an arch of a foot. Typical prior devices have provided pliable cushion pads that can be utilized to build up the cushioning materials for support of a heel or an arch. Other prior devices have provided shoes or boots that contain an integral and non-removable foot support structure that is installed as a single unit into a specially designed shoe or boot having an externally accessed adjustment screw or connector, which is not transferable to other shoes. The arch portions of prior pliable insoles were not adjustable without adding or removing layers of cushioning materials.

Prior foot instep supports typically provide an arch curve that is composed of flexible materials such as leather, foam, pliable plastic, and/or resilient sheet metal to provide comfort for the wearer of the foot instep supports. Prior insole or instep devices generally are made to have a similar thickness along the length of the insole, or have a solid arch portion composed of flexible rubber or compressible foam material having a thickness extending continuously from the arch surface to a generally flat base of the insole. The prior foot instep supports were malleable and did not retain a rigid shape. The prior foot instep supports were purposefully made of malleable and flexible materials to allow changing of the curvatures to fit a user, and/or to allow the instep supports to be bent to fit into different styles of shoes. The heel and/or arch curve portions of prior instep supports were typically compressed over periods of extended use, with little or no repetitive rebound properties for retention of the original curvature of the arch portion or the instep support portion. With no retention of the original curvature of the arch portion of prior instep supports, the arch portion would fail and flatten with use, and a user's arch curve was not properly supported after extended use of prior instep supports, leading to arch pain and/or heel pain identified in layman's terms as “falling arches.”

The prior arch support devices only provided arch adjustments that require replacements of stackable members of cushioning. Other foot support devices require lateral movement of arch support portions controlled by adjusting connectors external to the shoe, and which require significant shoe modifications to permanently install within enclosing shoes or sports boots. The stackable members of cushioning deformed and flattened during extended use, and the foot support devices permanently installed within shoes were not transferable to other pairs of shoes.

Medically dispensed shoe orthotics typically provide a rigid orthotic having been generated from a cast formed of a patient's foot. The medically dispensed orthotic typically extends a partial length of the foot, from the toes to the arch portion, or from the arch portion to the heel portion, or extends the full length of the foot. The medically dispensed orthotic is not adjustable in overall length or in arch curve height, therefore when a user's foot changes due to growth, or an arch curve resumes a pre-injury height, the cast-formed orthotic is discarded and an additional cast formed orthotic is required to be generated by a medically trained professional to adequately support the foot.

Commercially available sport shoe inserts typically provide a cushioned cover over a rigid length of plastic. The rigid length of plastic may extend from the arch curve portion to a heel portion of the foot, or may extend from the toes to the heel portion of the foot. The sport shoe insert typically is available in one or two arch curve heights such as a “high arch” or “medium arch” style, with the same arch curve height provided for both of the right and left shoe inserts. The user is expected to select a foot length and arch curve height (high or medium arch), that matches his or her foot, and the user is typically not provided with assistance from a trained professional. A user having a “low arch” must utilize a “medium arch” style, or locate a lower arch support insert.

There is a need for an adjustable arch support orthosis providing therapeutic rigid support of the longitudinal arch of the feet, with the orthosis transferable between pairs of footware. A need exists for an adjustable arch support orthosis including a generally rigid medial longitudinal arch curve that is variably adjustable in tension along the slope of the arch curve during each weighted and unweighted cycle of walking and running. A further need exists for an adjustable arch curve orthosis including a generally rigid medial longitudinal arch curve having a means for adjusting the tension along the arch curve, to allow a user to adjust the tension and height of the arch curve for proper fit under each arch of the right and left foot, and for proper fit in various styles of footware.

An additional need includes providing a method for utilizing an arch support orthosis being adjustable in tension along the arch curve, including varying the tension along the arch curve of the arch support orthosis for treatment of foot disorders under the supervision of a medical professional for a user suffering from heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, arch pain, tendinitis, metatarsalgia, and related foot disorders. A need exists for a method of adjusting the tension along the arch curve of an adjustable arch support orthosis, with maintenance over repetitive uses of a preferred arch curve tension and slope for support of the user's arches of the feet, with minimal training of the user and without the need for daily or weekly supervision of a medical professional.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention comprises an arch support orthosis including an adjustable arch curve being variably tensioned and being continuous along the arch curve surface. The arch support orthosis is positionable underneath the foot and is sized and shaped to be removably placed in a shoe or other foot enclosure worn by a user. The arch support orthosis includes a plurality of contoured surface curves for support of the plurality of contours across the width and along the length of the underside of the foot. The arch support orthosis includes a metatarsal curve to support the metatarsal bones of the forefoot portion, includes a curved heel portion to support the calcaneus bone of the heel portion, and includes an interior upwardly arched side and an outer curved lateral edge. A continuous arch support curve (hereinafter, arch curve) of the orthosis includes a medial longitudinal arch surface along the interior upwardly arched side. The arch curve includes an anterior slope that is inclined at an anterior angle to form the leading portion of the arch curve. The arch curve includes a posterior slope that is inclined at a posterior angle to form the trailing portion of the arch curve. The arch curve further includes a medial slope that is inclined from a crown of an upper surface of the medial longitudinal arch surface towards the outer lateral edge of the orthosis. The anterior slope and the posterior slope includes a varying thickness having a depth and thickness of material that varies from the base of each slope to the upper portion of each slope along a crown of the arch curve. The base thickness of each slope is generally thicker than the thickness of the upper portion of each slope. The crown of the arch curve includes a lesser thickness than the base thickness of each slope to provide a variable thickness arch curve that is pliable and resilient along the crown for support of the mid-portion of a person's arch. The greater base thickness of each anterior and posterior slopes provides firm support of each respective anterior curve and posterior curve of a person's arch, while minimizing the degeneration of the rigidity of the arch curve over prolonged utilization in support of each respective arch. The respective base portions of each slope and the crown portion of the arch curve are respectively rigid along the base and the mid-portion of each slope, while being resilient along the crown for appropriate support of each respective portion of the user's arches during utilization of the adjustable arch support orthosis.

A means of tensioning is connectable under the continuous arch curve, and includes an adjusting means attached thereon. The tensioning means and adjusting means allows the user to adjust the anterior angle of the anterior slope, the posterior angle of the posterior slope, and to adjust the tension along the slopes and the crown of the arch curve. The variably tensioned arch curve provides a user with multiple adjustments of the tension and height parameters of the arch curve for therapeutic treatment of various foot conditions. The arch support orthosis is easily removable without readjusting the tension and height parameters of the arch curve for placement in any pair of footwear.

The present invention further discloses a method of utilizing the arch support orthosis for treatment of inflamation and pain in the foot by applying an arch support orthosis having a variably tensioned continuous arch curve under the foot. The method includes selectively and periodically adjusting the tension along the arch curve, and the angle of the anterior and posterior slopes of the arch curve, by the wearer's manipulating of the tensioning and adjusting means attached under the arch curve. The method provides therapeutic support and strengthening of the wearer's arches to relieve inflamation and pain associated with plantar fasciitis and/or tendinitis of related connective tissues and joints of wearer's foot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An adjustable arch support orthosis and method of adjusting the arch curve thereof is disclosed incorporating various features of the present invention as illustrated generally for an adjustable arch support orthosis at100inFIG. 1, at200inFIG. 5, and at210inFIG. 6. The arch support orthosis includes a contoured orthotic platform sized to support the foot of a user from approximately the forefoot112end, to about the heel end114of the foot198of a user (seeFIGS. 1 and 2). The forefoot112region includes a transverse arch curvature116for support of the metatarsal bones of the forefoot (seeFIGS. 1 and 2). The posterior114region includes a concave heel section118for support of the calcaneus heel bone of the talus area of the foot198(seeFIGS. 1–3).

Each of the arch support orthosis100,110,200,210can be sized and shaped in various lengths and widths, and each include adjustable arch curve parameters such as tensioning and arch height control to accommodate users having a narrow, rigid foot with a high arch (pes cavus), a medium arch, or can be sized and shaped to accommodate users having a generally more flattened foot (pes planus). Each respective arch support orthosis is sized for support of either the left foot or right foot of a user. Each arch support orthosis100,110,200,210is removably positioned underneath the foot of a user in any of the owner's shoes, and is positioned upon a foot supporting surface within the shoe such as on or under the insole of any appropriately sized shoe or sandal. The arch support orthosis is shaped and proportioned to replace the insole of a foot support enclosure. The arch support orthosis is contoured for support of the arch of a right foot or a left foot, and is utilizable together as a pair of right and left arch support orthoses for simultaneous treatment of inflamation and pain in both user's feet. The arch support orthosis is quickly removable and repositioned by the user in any type of footwear such as athletic shoes, walking shoes, dress shoes, casual shoes or sandals, ski boots, and/or work boots, without disassembly of the arch support orthosis and without changing the tension of the arch curve portion of the adjustable arch support orthosis100,110,200,210.

One embodiment of the arch support orthosis100includes an interior arched side120of an upwardly arched, continuous, medial longitudinal arch curve130(hereinafter, arch curve) which includes an upper, non-segmented portion referred to as an upper crown surface132, and a central mid-portion arch slope122having a sloped portion extending toward a lengthwise center midline124. The arch curve130slopes downwards in a forward direction towards the transverse arch curvature116, and slopes downwards in a rearward direction towards the concave heel section118. The arch curve130also slopes laterally outwards towards an outer edge126(seeFIG. 1). The lengthwise center midline124extends from about the transverse arch curvature116to the concave heel section118. On the outer side of the lengthwise central midline124is the outer edge126that is sloped slightly upwards along the outer perimeter of the arch support orthosis for support of the outer lateral portion of the foot198. The underside128of the forefoot portion112and heel portion114of the orthosis100is generally curved in proportion to the upper surfaces of the orthosis.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1–3, one embodiment of the arch support orthosis100provides a thickness of the interior arched side120of the arch curve130, and a thickness of portions of the anterior arch slope134, crown132, and the posterior arch slope138, that are generally similar thicknesses to provide an even distribution of tension along the arch support curve130. The arch curve130illustrated inFIGS. 1–3includes a continuous, non-segmented arch curve130including an anterior arch slope134having an anterior slope angle136, and including a posterior arch slope138having a posterior slope angle140(seeFIG. 2). The descending posterior slope angle140includes an angle of declination142(seeFIGS. 4aand4b) in a range of between about 12 degrees angle to about 20 degrees angle. The angle of declination142is preferably maintained within a range of about 14 degrees angle to about 16 degrees angle for adequate support of the posterior portion of the curved arch of a user's foot198. For therapeutic support of the arch of a user's foot, and for treatment of many foot disorders, it is important to maintain the angle of declination within, or close to, the preferred range of angles for therapeutic support of the user's arch along the posterior arch portion proximal to where the plantar fascia is connected to the calcaneus bone of the user's foot198.

In order to adjust the tension along the arch curve130,130′ and to maintain the angle of declination142within a preferred range of angles, a means for tensioning160,170is releasably attachable between an anterior bracket172, and a posterior bracket178, connected under each surface of the respective anterior arch slope134and the posterior arch slope138. The means for tensioning160,170may include any rotatable or similarly manipulated adjustment means164,170known to those skilled in the art for adjusting the length between two opposed ends connected to the anterior bracket172and the posterior bracket178. Examples of one embodiment of the means for tensioning160includes an anterior cable or rod162and a posterior cable or rod166that are generally rigid in a length dimension, but may be somewhat flexible in a lateral direction. A rotatable means164for adjusting the length between the anterior and posterior cable ends includes adjusting devices such as a sleeve nut, worm gear, or a small-sized turnbuckle (not shown). When the user manipulates the means for adjusting164, either by finger manipulation or by use of a small-sized tool, the anterior cable162and posterior cable166are retracted in overall length between the cable ends, thereby pulling each respective anterior bracket172and posterior bracket178toward the means for adjusting164with a shortening152of the tensioning means160(seeFIGS. 2 and 4a). As tension is placed on each respective anterior bracket172and posterior bracket178by the shortened tensioning means160, the bracket connectors168,168′ draw each respective connected portion of the anterior arch slope134and posterior arch slope138together, thereby inducing additional tension along the arch curve130, forming a more rigid arch curve130, and slightly increasing the height of the arch curve130, providing firm and generally rigid support of a user's arch. When the means for adjusting is manipulated in a direction to lengthen the tensioning means160, the length between the ends of anterior cable or rod162and posterior cable or rod166is extended due to the push of anterior end176against one portion of anterior bracket172, and extension of tab192against a downwards projection of bracket172, forcing pivoting at an anterior pivot184Posterior cable or rod166is extended to push against posterior bracket178by the push of posterior end182against one portion of bracket178, and extension of tab194against a downwardly projection of bracket178, forcing pivoting at a posterior pivot186. Extension of the ends of anterior cable162and posterior cable166, with resulting reduction of the tension along the arch curve, and a slight decrease in the height of the arch curve to a neutral height, while retaining a neutral tension along the arch curve130.

An alternative embodiment of the arch support orthosis110includes an arch support curve130′ having a tensioning means170and a rotatable means for adjusting190attached underneath as illustrated inFIGS. 4aand4b. A variable thickness along the arch support curve130′ is disclosed for portions of the anterior slope134and posterior slope138of the arch curve130′. For the underside128′ portion of the arch curve130′, an anterior base portion144and a posterior base portion148are increased in thickness in a range of about 3 mm and greater, than a comparably thin thickness146of the upper crown132portion having a range of about 1 mm to about 3 mm. A rigid arch curve130′ is provided to support heavily weighted users, and/or athletically inclined users, with the thicker base portions144,148being configured to diminish flex along the anterior slope134and posterior slope138during adjustable tensioning of the arch curve130′ by a user manipulating of a means for tensioning170. With diminished flex of the arch curve130′ by lateral and downward forces placed against the upper crown surface132, as during repetitive forceful foot-strikes during walking, running, and other athletic activities, a failure indicative of flattening of the previous arch supports is diminished by a rigid arch curve130′ having the means for tensioning170connected underneath according to observations during testing with a variety of users of various weights and arch heights while wearing the adjustable arch support orthosis100,110of the present invention.

During tensioning of the arch curve130′ by manipulating and shortening152(seeFIG. 4a) of the means for tensioning170, an increased tension is created along the arch curve130′ with limited raising150of the height of the arch curve130′. When the means for tensioning170is lengthened in length156(seeFIG. 4b), a decreased tension is created along the arch curve130′ with limited lowering154of the height of the arch curve130′. A generally resilient upper crown portion132is formed by having a comparably thin thickness146of the crown portion132, while maximizing the rigidity of the base of the arch curve130′ by including increased thickness of the anterior slope base portion144and the posterior slope base portion148(seeFIGS. 4aand4b).

As illustrated inFIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of an arch support orthosis includes a foot support platform200having a plurality of curved surface portions including a forefoot support end202, a heel support end204, a metatarsal arch portion206, a concave heel cup208, an upwardly arched and continuous medial side212, and an outer lateral side226contoured upwards at the outer edge of the foot support platform200. The arched medial side212is generally aligned along the interior length of the foot support platform200and includes an arch curve230arched above the foot support platform200. The arch curve230includes an anterior arch slope232, an anterior slope base234having an increased thickness compared to the upper portion of the anterior arch slope232, a posterior arch slope238, a posterior slope base240having an increased thickness compared to the upper portion of the posterior arch slope238, and a central slope242that extends to about the midline222of the orthosis. The central slope242may extend past the midline222for embodiments designed to support a high arched user. A crown portion236forms the crest of the arch curve230, and may have a thickness of about 1 mm to about 3 mm. The thickness of the upper portion of the anterior arch slope232, the upper portion of the central slope242, and the upper portion of the posterior arch slope238, may be in the range of about 2 mm to about 4 mm in thickness, with the thickness of the anterior and posterior arch slope increasing toward the base portions234,240. The thickness of the lower portion of the central slope242, proximal to the midline222, may be in the range of about 2 mm to about 4 mm, and greater in thickness. The range of the thickness of the forefoot202, heel204, and outer side226portions of the orthosis200, may be in the range of about 2 mm to about 4 mm, independent of the variable thickness of respective portions of the arch curve250. The orthoses100,110,200,210may be composed of generally rigid materials known to those skilled in the art, including high-density polymer materials such as Delrin® by Dupont, graphite composite materials, ceramic materials, aluminum, copper, steel or another generally rigid material. When the orthoses100,110,200,210are composed of aluminum, copper, steel or another metal material, the thicknesses of each portion of the orthosis, including the arch curve portion, may be decreased by about a 1 mm increment while providing substantially rigid support of the user's arch and foot.

As illustrated inFIGS. 6,7,8aand8b, an alternative orthosis includes a foot support platform210having an underside218of the arch curve230, to which a tensioning means250is attachable. The foot support platform210includes a generally aligned and continuous arched medial side212, an underside220configured to have an underside anterior slope portion214and a posterior slope portion216to which connecting brackets are connectable for attachment therebetween of the tensioning means250. The thickness and depth of anterior slope base234allows for connectors268to be connected into the anterior slope base234, which may have a thickness of about 3 mm and greater in thickness. The thickness and depth of posterior slope base240allow for connectors288to be connected into the posterior slope base240, which may have a thickness of about 3 mm and greater in thickness. The thickness of the anterior slope base234may be less than, or greater than, the thickness of the posterior slope base240, depending on the rigidity required for the anterior portion compared to the posterior portion of the arch curve230, to support the user's arch during extended use of the orthosis200,210.

As illustrated inFIGS. 6,7,8aand8b, the foot support platform210includes a means for tensioning250having connector brackets attachable along the underside anterior slope portion214of the anterior slope base234, and along the posterior slope portion216of the posterior base240. As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7, the means for tensioning250includes a plurality of movement for pivoting256,276in a vertical direction, and for swiveling262,282in a lateral direction for the connections of the means for tensioning in relationship with the connector brackets264,284. As illustrated inFIG. 8b, an alternative means for tensioning250includes a generally rigid anterior member252such as a rod or cable connected to an anterior end of a means for adjusting270that is adjustable by a user to length or shorten the extended end of the member252. An anterior connector254is connected through a slotted connection within an anterior joint member258to an anterior end of the member252, to allow pivoting256in an up and down, generally vertical, direction of the anterior end of the member252. The anterior joint member258includes an anterior slot260into which a second end264of a connector bracket266is insertable. The anterior slot260of joint member258is attachable with bracket portion264to allow for lateral motion262(seeFIG. 7) of the anterior end of258. Bracket portion264is integral with anterior bracket portion266which is connected with connectors268such as rivets or screws to the anterior slope base234. The bracket portion264and anterior bracket portion266may include an angle therebetween to provide the necessary alignment with anterior slot260and the underside anterior slope portion214of the anterior slope base234. The thick anterior slope base234provides rigidity for the anterior slope232and provides a secure mounting base for connectors268and anterior bracket portion266, providing a reliable connecting means to minimize the failure of the connectors268and bracket portion266during extensive and repeated stress and strain of the anterior slope232and the tensioning means250imposed by heavily weighted users and/or highly active users of the foot support platform200.

As illustrated inFIG. 8a, the alternative means for tensioning250includes a generally rigid posterior member272such as a rod or cable connected to a posterior end of a means for adjusting270that is adjustable by a user to length or shorten the extended end of the member272. A posterior connector274is connected through a slotted connection within a posterior joint member278to a posterior end of the member272, to allow pivoting276in an up and down, generally vertical, direction of the adjusting end of the member272. The posterior joint member278includes a posterior slot280into which a second end284of a connector bracket286is insertable. The posterior slot280of joint member278is attachable into which a first end of bracket portion284to allow for lateral motion282(seeFIG. 7) of the posterior end of joint member278. Bracket portion284is integral with posterior bracket portion286which is connected with connectors288such as rivets or screws to the posterior slope base240. The bracket portion284and posterior bracket portion286may include an angle therebetween to provide the necessary alignment with posterior slot280and the underside posterior slope portion216of the posterior slope base240. The thick posterior slope base240provides rigidity for the posterior slope238and provides a secure mounting base for connectors288and posterior bracket portion286, providing a reliable connecting means to minimize the failure of the connectors288and bracket portion286during extensive and repeated stress and strain of the posterior slope238and the tensioning means250imposed by heavily weighted users and/or highly active users of the foot support platform210.

The means for tensioning250provides at least four pivotable and swiveling connector junctions along with the ability of the means for adjusting270to provide an extendable and retractable means for adjusting the length between connector brackets266,286. The means for adjusting270for adjusting the length between the ends of the anterior member252and posterior member272includes adjusting devices such as a sleeve nut, a cylindrical worm gear (seeFIGS. 6,7,8aand8b), or a small-sized tumbuckle (not shown). Rotation290of the means for adjusting270may be accomplished by finger manipulation tool or with a small wrench. When rotated290in one direction, the anterior member252and posterior member272are retracted in overall length between the member ends, thereby pulling each respective anterior bracket266and posterior bracket286toward the means for adjusting270. As tension is placed on each respective anterior bracket266and posterior bracket286by the retracted anterior member252and posterior member272, the brackets266,286draw each respective connected portion of the anterior slope base234and posterior slope base240together, thereby inducing additional tension along the arch curve250, forming a more rigid arch curve250, and slightly increasing the height of the arch curve250. When the length between anterior member252and posterior member272is extended, by rotation290(seeFIG. 6) in an appropriate direction of the means for adjusting270, the tension along the arch curve230is decreased, providing less rigid support of a user=s arch at a slight decrease in the height of the arch curve230to a neutral height, while retaining a neutral tension along the arch curve230. User adjustment of the means of adjusting270may be incremental as the user strengthens his or her arches with use of the foot support platform210. In addition, the user can adjust the rigidity of the arch curve230for comfort during various walking or running activities, and can adjust the rigidity of the arch curve230of either foot support platform210to properly support the slight variation in arch curvature between each foot.

From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that advantages of the present invention include rigidity through the arch curve portion of the adjustable arch support orthosis100,110,200,210, with a flexible crown portion132,236, while provided a variably tensioned arch curve130,130′,230to support various configurations of users' arches and feet. It is emphasized that the neutral tension along each embodiment of the continuous and non-segmented arch curve130,130′,230disclosed herein, is maintainable during constant use and repetitive stress and strain, while providing a generally rigid tensioned arch curve for support of the feet of each user that is heavily weighted, and/or has medium or high arched feet. User's having low arched feet or “flat feet” may benefit from use of the Therefore, users can manipulate the means for adjusting and the means for rotation to lengthen and shorten the tensioning means, to provide the user with a neutral and supportive tension along each respective arch curve130,130′,230, and to provide the user with an increased tension along the arch curve for increased rigidity and increased support height of each respective arch curve130,130′,230. During testing with a significant number of users having high and medium arches, who are also heavily weighted and provide significantly high forces on their heavily weighted arches, results are obtained that demonstrate that heavily weighted users tend to break-down the materials of prior orthotics that lack the tensioning means of the adjustable arch support orthosis disclosed herein. After repetitive use of prior orthotics by heavily weighted users, the arch curvature is reduced in height and in flex, therefore prior orthotics were reduced rapidly to non-supportive shapes by heavily weighted users. The adjustable arch support orthoses100,110,200,210disclosed herein provides a plurality of configurations and means for tensioning for maintenance of the preferred tension and arch curve shape to consistently and repetitively support the low, medium or high arches of users, whether of average size or who are heavily weighted. With generally rigid, repetitive support of a user's arches, numerous foot disorders are avoided including plantar fasciitis and related inflamation of the connecting tissues of the feet. In addition, the adjustable arch support orthoses disclosed herein provide a method for therapeutic treatment of plantar fasciitis and related foot disorders due to the maintenance of a preferred angle of declination and a preferred tension along each arch curve130,130′,230, during extended use of the adjustable arch support orthoses100,110,200,210.

An alternative embodiment of the means for tensioning includes a plurality of swivel joints positioned along the respective anterior and posterior cables or bars (not shown) to allow rotation of portions of the means for tensioning during rotating of the means for adjusting. An additional embodiment of the means for tensioning includes two straps of non-extendable web material with each of the two straps having a distal end attached to the respective anterior bracket and posterior bracket connected underneath respective anterior slope and posterior slope of the arch curve (not shown). Each of the two straps have a proximal end connectable together by a means for adjusting such as a sliding buckle or a pressure clamp that is positioned under the medial longitudinal arch curve. A further additional embodiment of the means for tensioning includes a foam enclosure for either or both ends of the means for tensioning for shock absorption to reduce failure of the anterior and posterior connectors and brackets attached under the anterior and posterior portions of the adjustable arch curve. An alternative embodiment of the means for adjusting includes an anterior means for adjusting connected proximal to the anterior bracket, and a posterior means for adjusting connected proximal to the posterior bracket, with at least one cable or rod connected therebetween.

While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general inventive concept.