Abstract: An orthopedic walker is disclosed that improves comfort and shock absorption during use by incorporating a flexure zone that deflects to ease the forces caused by the heel strike portion of a patient's gait. The flexure zone is created by cutting around the heel on the bottom of the sole to allow for the heel portion to flex. The exterior shell of the walker is may be made of a formable resilient material that when combined with an attached tongue structure reduces a volume of encapsulation of the lower limb. The shell encloses a padding on the inner side that may take the form of air/bladders and/or foam, and tabs on each side selectively engage receiving tabs on the inside lateral and medial side of the base upright portions. A separate tongue structure is used to enclose the foot and is made adjustable using various methods such as slits and novel connectors.

Abstract: A welded orthopedic back brace is disclosed. In an embodiment, at least one belt member is coupled to a spinal support element. The materials of the belt member are thermally fused to form a unitary segment. In another embodiment, an anterior portion of a posterior pad of the spinal support element includes thermally fused materials to provide a user with an added degree of comfort.