Patent Publication Number: US-10765913-B2

Title: Foot and ankle strengthening device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/553,525, filed Sep. 1, 2017. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an exercise device designed to stretch and strengthen the muscles of the ankle and foot, more specifically, the toe muscles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
     Weakness of the foot musculature, specifically, the muscles of the arches and toes, has been correlated with the development of a wide range of foot/ankle injuries. For example, plantar fasciitis, which eventually afflicts more than 10% of the population, is associated with long-term deficits in toe strength. Further, toe weakness has been correlated with falls in the elderly. Research proves that older adults have toe strength declines of more than 28% and the subsequent toe weakness has been correlated with an increased risk of fall. Falls in the elderly are extremely common and the probability of a person over 70 years of age experiencing a fall is almost 40%. 
     Despite the fact that toe and arch weakness poses significant health risks, few exercise devices exist that specifically target these important muscles. Furthermore, the majority of exercise devices that do exist use a complex assortment of springs, elastic bands and/or hinges, making them difficult to use and expensive. Ease-of-use is particularly important for the elderly population, who may be at high risk for falls due to age-related toe weakness. 
     SUMMARY 
     In various aspects of the present disclosure, a foot and ankle strengthening device is disclosed. The foot and ankle strengthening device can include a wedge block formed of a resilient material. The wedge block can comprise a base surface that defines a base plane, and a top surface substantially opposite the base surface and including a plurality of raised bulges. The top surface can extend from a front side to a back side along a longitudinal axis and from a left side to a right side along a horizontal axis. The top surface can also have a midpoint ridge arranged between the left and right side. The top surface can be sloped downwardly from the front side to the back side at the midpoint ridge and along the longitudinal axis at a first angle defined from the base plane. Further, the top surface can be sloped downwardly from the midpoint ridge to the left side and along the horizontal axis at a second angle defined from the base plane and from the midpoint ridge to the right side and along the horizontal axis at a third angle defined from the base plane. The base surface can be configured to contact a ground surface to support the wedge block when a user places at least one foot on the top surface. 
     In other aspects of the present disclosure, a foot and ankle strengthening device can include a wedge block formed of a single piece of a resilient material. The wedge block can comprise a base surface that defines a base plane, and a top surface substantially opposite the base surface and including a plurality of raised bulges. The top surface can extend from a front side to a back side along a longitudinal axis and from a left side to a right side along a horizontal axis. The top surface can also have a midpoint ridge arranged between the left and right side. The top surface can be sloped downwardly from the front side to the back side at the midpoint ridge and along the longitudinal axis at a first angle defined from the base plane. In certain aspects, the first angle can be at least nine degrees. The top surface can also be sloped downwardly from the midpoint ridge to the left side and along the horizontal axis at a second angle defined from the base plane and from the midpoint ridge to the right side and along the horizontal axis at a third angle defined from the base plane. Each of the second and third angles can be at least nine degrees. Finally, the base surface can be configured to contact a ground surface to support the wedge block when a user places at least one foot on the top surface. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a top view of a foot and ankle strengthening device according to some aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of a foot and ankle strengthening device of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  is a rear view of a foot and ankle strengthening device of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1D  is a sectional view side view of the foot and ankle strengthening device of  FIG. 1A  taken along line D-D; 
         FIG. 1E  is a sectional view side view of the foot and ankle strengthening device of  FIG. 1A  taken along line E-E; 
         FIG. 1F  is a sectional view side view of the foot and ankle strengthening device of  FIG. 1A  taken along line F-F; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view of the foot and ankle strengthening device of  FIG. 1  and a foot arranged thereupon; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of a person that is standing on his/her toes on the foot and ankle strengthening device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4A-D  is an illustration of a person in different positions while utilizing the foot and ankle strengthening device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIGS. 5A-B  is another illustration of a person in different positions while utilizing the foot and ankle strengthening device of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is related to a foot and ankle strengthening device that addresses the above noted and other deficiencies with existing exercise devices. The disclosed exercise device is a simple foot strengthening device that precisely targets the peroneals, posterior calf muscles, and toe muscles. Correcting peroneal muscle strength weakness may be important because weakness in this muscle group has been correlated with recurrent inversion ankle sprains. Exercises to strengthen the peroneal muscles may be particularly important because, in the US alone, approximately 23,000 people sprain their ankle each day and the long-term costs of managing these injuries can exceed $1.1 billion annually. Peroneal muscle weakness may also be correlated with reduced running speeds, so strengthening the peroneal muscles is an important part of rehabilitation when managing running athletes. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1A-1F , an example foot and ankle strengthening device  10  is illustrated. The foot and ankle strengthening device  10  can comprise wedge block  100 . The wedge block  100  can, e.g., be formed of a single piece of a resilient material, such as a single piece of low-density polyurethane foam. The wedge block  100  can comprise a base surface  110  and a top surface  120  that is substantially opposite the base surface  110 . The base surface can define a base plane  112 . For example only, the base plane  112  can be substantially coplanar with a ground surface (such as ground surface  400  shown in  FIG. 4A ) upon which the wedge block  100  is placed. The base surface  110  can be configured to contact a ground surface (e.g., ground surface  400 ) to support the wedge block when a user places at least one foot on the top surface  150 . 
     The top surface  150  can extend from a front side  160  to a back side  162  along a longitudinal axis  164 . Further, the top surface  150  can extend from a left side  165  to a right side  167  along a horizontal axis  169 . In some aspects, the top surface  150  can also include a midpoint ridge  170  arranged between the left side  165  and the right side  167 . It should be appreciated that, although the midpoint ridge  170  is illustrated as being located at the midpoint of the wedge block  100  and is called the “midpoint” ridge, the midpoint ridge  170  need not be located at the exact midpoint of the wedge block  100 . For example only, in contrast to the substantially symmetrical wedge block  100  that is illustrated in the figures, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to include non-symmetrical wedge blocks  100  where the midpoint ridge  170  is located away from the actual midpoint. 
     The top surface  150  can include a plurality of raised bulges  152  that are utilized by a user to perform various exercises, as more fully described below. These raised bulges  152 , independently from or in conjunction with the downward slope of the top surface  150  discussed below, can allow a user to exercise the muscles in his/her foot in the lengthened condition, which has been proven to produce more rapid strength gains than conventional exercises. According to some implementations, the plurality of raised bulges  152  can include a back ridge  154  arranged towards the back side  162  and a front ridge  156  arranged towards the front side  160 . The front ridge  156  can comprise a crescent-shaped elevation shaped to include two crests  157  at high point of the front ridge  156  with a plateau  158  arranged therebetween ( FIG. 1D ). The front ridge  156  projects upward and can be shaped in such a way that allows a user to place his/her metatarsal heads at the base of the curved slope, with the center of the toes abutting the initial elevation, with the tips of the toes resting in the plateau  158 . This particular shape provides both the long and short digital flexor muscles (Flexor Digitorum Brevis muscle  200  and Flexor Digitorum Longus muscle  210 ,  FIG. 2 ) resistance as they plantarflex the intermediate and distal interphalangeal joints respectively ( FIG. 2 ), which may specifically target the Flexor Digitorum Brevis muscle  200  of the user. 
     The plateau  158  can be arranged below the two crests  157  to be at a point below the high point of the front ridge  156 . In some aspects, the difference in height between the crests  157  and the plateau  158  may vary along the length of the front ridge  156 , as shown in  FIGS. 1D-1F . For example only, the difference in height between the crests  157  and the plateau  158  may be approximately 4.5 millimeters at the midpoint ridge  170  and be approximately 3.25 millimeters towards the left or right sides  165 ,  167  (e.g., such as along the line E-E and as shown in  FIG. 1E ). As briefly mentioned, the plurality of raised bulges  152  can be utilized by a user to perform various exercises, as more fully described below. 
     The wedge block  100  can be tilted in the frontal and sagittal planes in order to recruit/target often overlooked muscle groups. Accordingly, the top surface  150  can be sloped downwardly from the front side  160  to the back side  162  at the midpoint ridge  170  and along the longitudinal axis  164  at a first angle α defined from the base plane  112  in order to provide tilt in the sagittal plane ( FIG. 1B ). This downward slope may, during use, increase stress on the posterior calf muscles, particularly gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis posterior muscles, and such sagittal plane exercising of the calf muscles has been proven to be an effective way of managing chronic Achilles tendinopathy. In some implementations, the first angle α can be between seven and fifteen degrees. In other implementations, the first angle α can be at least nine degrees. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the top surface can be sloped downwardly from the midpoint ridge  170  to the left side  165  and along the horizontal axis  164  at a second angle β defined from the base plane  112  and from the midpoint ridge  170  to the right side  167  and along the horizontal axis  164  at a third angle θ defined from the base plane  112  in order to provide tilt in the frontal plane ( FIG. 1C ). This downward slope may increase activity in the peroneal muscles, which actively raise the heels from an inverted position ( FIG. 3 ). As shown in  FIG. 3 , for example, the peroneal muscles may fire more vigorously (white arrows) as they are forced to evert the rearfoot (black arrows). In some implementations, the second and third angles β, θ can each be between seven and fifteen degrees. In other implementations, the second and third angles β, θ can each be at least nine degrees. The second and third angles β, θ can be equal to or different from each other, depending on the desires/requirements of the user. 
     In some aspects, and with particular reference to  FIGS. 1D-1F , the back surface  110  can define one or more cutout portions  190 . Each cutout portion  190  can be arranged at a location to modify a compression strength of the wedge block  100  at that location, e.g., opposite a location of the front ridge  156  or the back ridge  154 . For example only, the back surface can define a front cutout portion  190  arranged opposite a location of the front ridge  156  and a back cutout portion  190  arranged opposite the back ridge  154 . Other implementations are within the scope of the present disclosure. The cutout portions  190  may also reduce the pressure beneath the toes of user while performing exercises utilizing the foot and ankle strengthening device  10 , as described more fully below. 
     As mentioned above, the foot and ankle strengthening device  10  of the present disclosure can be formed from a compressible foam that applies greater resistance to the toes of a user as the user leans forward, i.e., the farther a user leans forward, the greater the toe force generated ( FIGS. 4A-4D ). In such implementations, because the foam in the middle of the device  10  may be thickest, the big toe can be exposed to greater force as the user leans forward. This may be important because strength deficits in the user (e.g., an elderly user) may be more prevalent in the big toe than in the little toes. Through the use of the one or more cutout portions  190 , the foot and ankle strengthening device  10  of the present disclosure can be customized to provide different compression strengths at different locations. 
     One application for the foot and ankle strengthening device  10  of the present disclosure is to prevent falls in the elderly. Because the majority of older adults fall while reaching or leaning forward, maintaining adequate toe strength may play a significant role in fall prevention. Several studies have shown that the ability to push down firmly with your toes while standing greatly improves balance by enhancing a person&#39;s functional base of support (FBOS). The forward limit of the FBOS in a healthy person may be considered to be proportional to the maximum total flexor muscle strength. The disclosed foot and ankle strengthening device  10  specifically strengthens the muscles responsible for maintaining the forward limit of the functional base of support. 
     An example use of the foot and ankle strengthening device  10  of the present disclosure is illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4D . As shown in  FIG. 4A , a user  410  stands with his/her feet flat on the ground  400  and the toes  412  supported by the back side  162  edges of the wedge block  100 . The user  410  can then place his or her hands a distance (e.g., one inch) from a stable surface  405 , such as a fixed table or a wall, and keeps the entire body straight as he/she tilts forward, pressing the toes  412  firmly into the foot and ankle strengthening device  10  ( FIG. 4B ). A slight forward lean with full toe activities can be maintained for a certain period (such as, five seconds) and then the user  410  can return to the original position. The user  410  may attempt to keep their hands a certain, safe distance (one inch) from the stable surface  405  at all times. The forward lean and extended toe press can be repeated a certain number of times (15, 20, 30, etc.). It is contemplated that the exercise discussed above is one example of how to properly utilize the disclosed foot and ankle strengthening device  10 , and that other exercises and/or methods of use can be utilized. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , to increase resistance and enhance strength in other muscles, the user  410  can place the toes  412  into the plateau  158  of the front ridge  156  ( FIG. 5A ). With the feet inverted, the user  410  raises the heels, driving their toes down  412  into the front ridge  156  ( FIG. 5B ). The user  410  then lowers the heels until they contact the ground  400  and then lifts the toes up off  412  the front ridge  156 . This process can be repeated a certain number of times (15, 20, 30, etc.). Dropping the heels to the ground after each repetition effectively stretches the posterior calf muscles, which may be important because tight calves are a proven predictor of falls of the elderly. Once again, it is contemplated that the exercise discussed above is one example of how to properly utilize the disclosed foot and ankle strengthening device, and that other exercises and/or methods of use can be utilized. 
     Alternate methods of strengthening foot and ankle muscles include standing sideward on the top surface  10  of the foot and ankle strengthening device  10  with only the lateral or medial side of the foot contacting the top surface  150 . By performing heel raises in this position, the foot is either inverted or everted, increasing activity in the peroneus longus and tibialis posterior muscles respectively. Notably, because the disclosed foot and ankle strengthening device  10  can be a single piece of material with no moving parts, the device can be safe and easy to use, especially for senior citizens who may lack the dexterity to set up even simple strengthening devices with bands and hinges. 
     Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known procedures, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.