Patent ID: 8230619

Claim:
An orthopedic footwear article comprising: an ambidextrous bottom sole having a groove formed in an upper portion thereof, said groove having a depth of at least 10 millimeters, said bottom sole having a bottom surface having a back portion and a front portion and a central portion disposed in relation to a Chopart line of the foot, said central portion disposed between said front portion and said rear portion, said central portion being the only portion contacting an underlying surface when said bottom sole is in a static position; a rigid insert received in said groove of said bottom sole, said rigid insert having an entirely planar upper surface; and an insole disposed on said rigid insert and housed in said groove of said bottom sole, said insole being a shock-absorbing material, said front portion and said back portion of said bottom sole having a convex shape, said central portion of said bottom sole being planar and having a length of between 8 and 12 millimeters from said back portion to said front portion, said planar upper surface of said rigid insert extending for an entire plantar area of the foot.