Abstract: An Achilles heel wedge has a front part, a back part, and a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction between the front part and the back part. A first wedge section defines a bottom surface and a top surface. The top surface of the first wedge section forms a convex portion curving along the longitudinal axis and extending between side portions of the first wedge section. The convex portion is positionable under the longitudinal arch of a user's foot during use. A second wedge section is removably attachable to the bottom surface of the first wedge section. The second wedge section defines substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces and a ramped edge at or near a front of the second wedge section. The ramped edge extends downwardly and forwardly relative to the first wedge section and the top surface of the second wedge section.

Abstract: A removable and adjustable insert for footwear has slots placed in the insole and/or midsole of the shoe to allow access to the arch and/or metatarsal and/or heel regions of the insole and/or midsole. In an embodiment, an insert placed into the arch insert slot that establishes how much the arch protrudes above the remainder of the top surface of the insole. One or more inserts are provided having different thicknesses so that the height of the arch can be varied by the user or at the direction of a third party, such as a doctor or a trainer.

Abstract: A removable and adjustable insert for footwear has slots placed in the insole and/or midsole of the shoe to allow access to the arch and/or metatarsal and/or heel regions of the insole and/or midsole. In an embodiment, an insert placed into the arch insert slot that establishes how much the arch protrudes above the remainder of the top surface of the insole. One or more inserts are provided having different thicknesses so that the height of the arch can be varied by the user or at the direction of a third party, such as a doctor or a trainer.

Abstract: A foot correcting and balancing shoe assembly includes at least one sole unit having an imaginary transverse line dividing the sole unit into front- and rear-half regions. The rear-half region includes left and right rear-half sections, and a heel area spanning rear portions of the left and right rear-half sections. A foot arch correction device is mounted detachably to the sole unit. At least one balancing pad is mounted detachably within the sole unit below the foot arch correction device, and at a predetermined location in at least one of the left and right rear-half sections to maintain foot balance for a user.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, methods, and kits for reducing joint pain and treating conditions of weight-bearing joints. The methods are accomplished through the use of a cushioned wedged insole kit that selectively reduces pressure by cushioning impact and redistributing forces away from affected joints or joint compartments. The kit includes a wedged slab and a neutral slab. The slabs may be trimmed using the kit's sizing chart to create medial or lateral wedged insoles for either the right or left foot. The slab construction may mimic the combination of fatty globules and the surrounding restricting fibrous network cushioning structures found in the foot.

Abstract: A system of constructing a pair of devices to provide lateral or medial corrections of a desired degree includes a right foot orthotic shell (20R) and a left foot orthotic shell (20L). A first angled wedge (40A) is connectable to the right shell (20R) and a second angled wedge (40B) is connectable to the left shell (20L) to provide lateral correction. The second wedge (40B) is connectable to the right shell (20R) and the first wedge (40A) is connectable to the left shell (20L) to provide medial correction. A plurality of pairs of wedges (40) can be provided with each pair providing a different angle of correction.

Abstract: An adhesive strip for use with a balancing disc for balancing the gait of the user comprises a medial polyester sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface. An acrylic adhesive is the disposed on both the upper and lower surfaces. A silicone release sheet is disposed atop the upper layer of acrylic adhesive and a circular polyester sheet is disposed over the lower layer of adhesive. The overlying polyester sheet is scored to facilitate removal of at least a portion thereof in order to expose a portion of the acrylic adhesive for immediate adherence to a surface of an associated balancing disc. After emplacement, the other portion of the polyester sheet is removed to secure the adhesive to the disc. When the silicone release sheet is removed, the disc can then be readily applied to an insole or to a footwear item.

Abstract: A removable insert for footwear has a slot placed in its medial edge which extends below the arch. An insert placed into the slot has a height which establishes how much the arch protrudes above the remainder of the top surface of the insole. Multiple inserts are provided having different thicknesses so that the height of the arch can be varied.

Abstract: An example orthotic is described which may include a cushioning first layer and a shell layer. The shell layer may be configured to extend longitudinally from at least the talus-navicular joint to the medial cuneiform-first metatarsal joint and laterally under at least the medial cuneiform bone when the orthotic is in use. The shell layer may be configured to receive a removable insert that alters an amount of arch support provided by the orthotic. A set of inserts may be provided to allow the example orthotic to be customized based on user support preferences.

Abstract: A balancing disc or appliance for use in with a shoe insole, or biomechanical device, such as an ankle or foot brace, for balancing the gait of a user is defined by a substantially circular disc or body element having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface and the bottom surface are angularly inclined with respect to each other in an angle ranging from about 2° to about 6°. Optimally, an adhesive is deposited onto one of the surfaces for facilitating affixation of the disc to an insole or similar orthotic device. The disc is, preferably, formed from a flexible material. Since the device is substantially circular in nature, it may be rotated about a vertical axis through a 360° arc to facilitate minute adjustments in the balance of the user.

Abstract: A footwear orthotic is disclosed having a plurality of removable inserts. The removable inserts are preferably provided in the metatarsal region and/or in the heel region. The inserts are designed to gradually train the user's feet to become comfortably accustomed to orthotic support. Each insert preferably has a different profile than the others. The user can select the insert with the most appropriate profile and securely position the insert in the footwear orthotic for use.

Abstract: A suspension walker having a hard, outer boot shell with upright brace members attached on either side and a soft boot receivable thereon. The soft boot has a main pad in it with a removable, fitting pad or pads on top of the main pad. A cuff member is also provided that is securable to the patient's calf and to the upright brace members. In use, the fitting pad is removed during the initial fitting and subsequent uses to suspend the patient's foot in the walker. The cuff member is also infinitely adjustable along the brace members to vary the fit as desired.

Abstract: A shoe bottom assembly is described in which the transverse angle of the foot-supporting surface is manually adjustable.

Abstract: An orthoinsert for shoes to control and correct many types of abnormally functioning feet. The orthoinsert comprises an insole plate which has the full length of an entire foot or a length corresponding to the length of an insole except the forefoot part, an arch filler and a heel site for holding the heel in well-aligned position. The arch filler and the heel site are integrated with the plate. A forefoot wedge is attached to the fore part of the undersurface of the insole plate to control the angle of the forefoot to the ground surface. A rearfoot wedge is attached to the rear part of the undersurface of the insole plate to control and correct the angle of the rearfoot to the ground surface to provide and achieve a total underfoot comfort during walking. Three types of orthoinsert accommodate semipronated, oversupinated and hyperpronated feet.

Abstract: A balancing disc or appliance for use in with a shoe insole, or biomechanical device, such as an ankle or foot brace, for balancing the gait of a user is defined by a substantially circular disc or body element having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface and the bottom surface are angularly inclined with respect to each other in an angle ranging from about 2.degree. to about 6.degree.. Optimally, an adhesive is deposited onto one of the surfaces for facilitating affixation of the disc to an insole or similar orthotic device. The disc is, preferably, formed from a flexible material. Since the device is substantially circular in nature, it may be rotated about a vertical axis through a 360.degree. arc to facilitate minute adjustments in the balance of the user.

Abstract: Footwear having a substantially concealed means for girth adjustment is described. The girth adjustment means is provided by shoe insole assemblies wherein the contours and thicknesses of the side edges vary relative to those of the longitudinally central portions of the insole assemblies which remain substantially constant.

Abstract: A deformable, elastic insole liner is provided with height adjustment pads for shoes to independently support the heel area, the longitudinal arch area, and the metatarsal arch area. Each pad comprises a base pad and a plurality of thin stacking pads which completely overlay the base pad and any stacking pads, and are self stabilized thereby. The stacking pads may be removably stacked onto each base pad, without requiring a fixed means of attachment to each other, in order to achieve the proper height adjustment for an individual user. This enables an individual shoe to be separately height adjusted for any combination of heel, longitudinal arch and metatarsal areas. In addition, after an initial adjustment, a particular support can be further height adjusted after a period of time, as necessary. This enables the user to adjust a shoe to treat the initial support problem, and subsequently to readjust the support for ongoing changes in the arches and heel areas.