Abstract:
A foot/ankle wrap, and method of treating infirmities and abnormalities of the foot or ankle by wrapping the foot or ankle with one or more straps of differing lengths in a predetermined manner, to apply force to treat the infirmity or abnormality. The choice of how to apply the shorter or second strap can be made independently of the choice of the application of the longer or first strap.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a foot/ankle wrap, and method of treating infirmities and abnormalities of the foot or ankle, by wrapping the foot or ankle with one or more straps in a predetermined manner to apply force thereto to treat the infirmity or abnormality. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    It is common practice in the prior art to wrap a foot or ankle with a strap to correct an infirmity or abnormality, but such wraps are limited in that they only correct one type of biomechanical issue. 
         [0005]    For example, the prior art wraps can lift the arch and maybe the ankle, but don&#39;t have the capability of both lifting the foot and applying the same or an opposite force to the ankle. This is important when supporting a falling arch, but not wanting to contribute to ankle sprain in a patient who has weak ankles, since these prior art wraps or splints raise or lower all of the ankle or foot. 
         [0006]    The foot/ankle wrap and method of the invention can be used to control supination, pronation, varus, and valgus. Pronation and supination will be used in describing corrections by using a first strap. Valgus, Varus, and Neutral will be used in describing corrections obtained by using a second strap. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    This invention relates to a foot/ankle wrap, and method of applying a wrap to a foot or ankle to control, supination, pronation, varus, valgus, apply a neutral force to the foot or ankle, and for arch support. 
         [0008]    The principal object of the invention is to provide a versatile foot/ankle wrap, and a method of treating infirmities or abnormalities of the foot and/or ankle by wrapping the foot or ankle in a predetermined manner to treat or correct the infirmity or abnormality. 
         [0009]    A further object of the invention is to provide a foot/ankle wrap, and method which can be applied by a patient, or a health care practitioner 
         [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide a foot/ankle wrap, and method, which is easy to understand and use. 
         [0011]    A further object of the invention is to provide a foot/ankle wrap, and method, which can be used to treat or correct any biomechanical issue of the foot or ankle. 
         [0012]    Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1A  is a plan view illustrating the foot wrap, and method of the invention for applying a force of supination to control and resist pronation in a left foot; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1B  is a view similar to  FIG. 1A  but for the right foot. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A  is a plan view illustrating the foot/ankle wrap, and method of applying a force of pronation to control and resist supination in a left foot. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2B  is a view similar to  FIG. 2A , but for the right foot. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating the addition of a second strap to the foot/ankle wrap, with the method of applying a force to control and lessen valgus in a left foot. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating the addition of a second strap to the foot/ankle wrap, with the method of applying a force to control and lessen varus in a left foot. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a plan view illustrating the addition of a second strap to the foot/ankle wrap, with the method of applying a neutral force to the ankle of a left foot. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a plan view illustrating the addition of a second strap to the foot/ankle wrap, with the method of foot/ankle control and stabilization with the center of the second strap of the wrap centered at the Achilles location, and 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a plan view illustrating an optional thermal moldable orthotic insert, that can be used with the foot/ankle wrap of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be in the structures disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0024]    Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    When referring to the preferred embodiments, certain terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Use of such terminology is intended to encompass not only the described embodiment, but also technical equivalents, which operate and function in substantially the same way to bring about the same result. 
         [0026]    Referring now more particularly to the drawings and  FIGS. 1A and 1B  of the drawings, a typical left foot F, and a right foot F 1  are shown. One embodiment of a foot/ankle wrap  10  is illustrated, which consists of a long length strap  11  and a plurality of Velcro clips  12  of well-known type. The long strap  11  is composed of any well known material, which is compatible with the Velcro clips  12  for engagement and fastening of the strap  11 , with “Fabrifoam”, available from Fabrifoam Products, Exton Pa., 19341, being particularly suitable. 
         [0027]    The feet F and F 1  as illustrated have pronation, i.e. in that they are downwardly rotated, and for correction a force of supination, or upward force has to be applied to the feet F or F 1 . To apply the wrap  10 , the long strap  11  is started on the dorsal mid foot, and then directed laterally and then plantarly, and continued in a circular direction dorsally to overlap the starting position of strap  11 . Continue to wrap the feet F and F 1  with the strap  11  to encompass the lateral malleolus, and wrap it posteriorly, then encompass the medial malleolus, and continue across the anterior ankle, and fasten it with a Velcro clip  12 . During the strap  11  application the patient (not shown) should be encouraged to dorsiflex and supinate the foot F, or F 1  being treated. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , feet F 2  and  3  are shown, which as illustrated have supination, i.e. in that they are upwardly rotated, and for correction, a force of pronation or downward (flattening) force has to be applied to foot F 2  or F 3 . 
         [0029]    To apply wrap  10 , the long strap  11  is started on the dorsal midfoot of foot F 2 , or F 3 , directed medially and then plantarly, and continued in a circular direction dorsally to overlap the starting position of strap  11 . 
         [0030]    Continue to wrap the strap  11  to encompass the medial malleolus, wrap it posteriorly, and then encompass the lateral malleolus, continue across just below the anterior ankle, and fasten with a Velcro clip  12 . During the strap application, the patient (not shown) should be encouraged to dorsiflex and pronate the foot F 2 , or F 3  being treated. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a foot F 4  is illustrated, which is bent or turned outwardly i.e. in a valgus condition. For correction a force of varus must be applied for correction, with the long strap  11  applied as described for  FIG. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A, or  2 B. A short strap  14  is selected and attached to long strap  11  on the lateral side by a Velcro strip  12 , with the short strap  14  wrapped laterally and inferior to the arch of the foot F 4 , directed supromedially continuing across the anterior ankle, and attached to the long strap  11  at the top of its medial aspect by a Velcro clip  12 . The strap  14  is preferably of the same material as strap  11 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a foot F 5  is illustrated, which is bent or turned inwardly, i.e. in a varus condition. A long strap  11  is applied as described for  FIG. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A, or  2 B. A short strap  14  is attached to the long strap  11  by Velcro clip  12  on the medial side, and wrapped inferior to the arch, continued suprolaterally, and continued across the anterior ankle, and attached to long strap  11  at the top of the lateral aspect of strap  11  by a Velcro clip  12 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , wherein it is desired to apply a neutral force to the ankle of a foot F 6 . The long strap  11  is applied as shown in  FIG. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A, or  2 B. 
         [0034]    A short strap  14  is applied at the center of the arch, equal tension is placed on each end of strap  14 , and it is fastened to long strap  11  by Velcro clips  12  at each end, which are directed towards the front of the ankle. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , wherein it is desired to apply a neutral force to the foot/ankle, strap  11  is applied as shown in  FIG. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A, or  2 B, a short strap  14  is applied around the ankle centered at the Achilles, with equal tension applied to both ends, anteriorly and slightly superiorly along the ankle ligaments toward the anterior ankle, and fastened with a Velcro clip  12 . 
         [0036]    If arch support (not shown) is desired, a long strap  11  is applied as shown in  FIG. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A, or  2 B, a short strap  14  is applied centered at the plantar arch, with equal tension applied to both ends to envelop the arch, and fastened at the dorsal foot with a Velcro clip  12 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a thermal moldable plastic orthotic insert  60  is illustrated, which is shown of oval configuration, but could be of other configurations if desired. The insert  60  can have a layer of foam cushion  61 , and a layer of adhesive  62  if desired. The insert  60  is inserted between the straps  11 , or  14  and the foot or ankle of the patient. The insert  60  can molded by applying heat thereto to cause it to conform to the contour of the patients foot/ankle, to provide additional support. Examples of applications are for one insert at the medial malleolus, and/or one at the lateral malleolus, and/or one at the arch. 
         [0038]    It will thus be seen that foot/ankle wraps, and methods of applying them, have been described with which the objects of the invention are attained.