Patent ID: 7727173

Claim:
A method for manufacturing a custom-made orthosis for the treatment of plantar ulcers and foot deformities, comprising the steps of: taking a cast of the user's foot, to provide a replica or positive model of the user's foot; using the positive model to mold an orthosis including a substantially horizontal foot support structure sized and shaped to support a user's foot; grinding out an ulcer-protecting or foot deformity-protecting hollow, non-apertured portion in the shoe insole to accommodate a corresponding hollow in the orthosis, the hollow, non-apertured portion existing prior to any deformation caused by pressure exerted by the foot on the hollow portion, the hollow being located to correspond to a location of a plantar ulcer or other foot deformity on the user's foot, so that wearing the orthosis will reduce pressure on the plantar ulcer or other foot deformity when the user is standing or walking; and fitting the orthosis to a modified shoe.