Fracture walker with horseshoe heel pad beneath insole

Abstract

A method and apparatus for locating a calcaneus within a fracture walker is disclosed. The apparatus includes a locating device that has a notch formed therein, and an insole covering the locating device whereby the ankle forms a depression in the insole adjacent the notch when force is applied through the ankle on the insole.

1 . A fracture walker comprising: 
 a foot platform having a base;    an insole covering said base; and    a locating device interposed between the foot platform and the insole, wherein the locating device has a fore portion, the fore portion having a notch therein extending to a forward surface, wherein the locating device is adapted to locate a calcaneus within the fracture walker.    
     
     
         2 . The fracture walker of  claim 1 , wherein the durometer hardness of the locating device is greater than the durometer hardness of the insole.  
     
     
         3 . The fracture walker of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible liner, wherein the liner is interposed between a human lower extremity and the fracture walker.  
     
     
         4 . The fracture walker of  claim 1 , wherein the locating device is constructed of polyethylene foam.  
     
     
         5 . The fracture walker of  claim 1 , wherein the insole is constructed of polyethylene foam.  
     
     
         6 . The fracture walker of  claim 1 , further comprising a lip formed on said platform wherein the lip is adapted to abut the insole on said platform.  
     
     
         7 . The fracture walker of  claim 1 , wherein the locating device is adapted to accommodate the calcaneus of either a left foot or a right foot.  
     
     
         8 . A method of locating a calcaneus within a fracture walker comprising: 
 providing a locating device for use with the fracture walker, the locating device being adapted to correctly locate the calcaneus laterally within a medial-lateral heel space adjacent the calcaneus within the fracture walker.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the calcaneus is correctly located by forming a depression.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein forming the depression includes forming a notch within a locating device, wherein the locating device includes a generally flat body with a top surface, a bottom surface, and a fore portion, wherein at least the top surface and fore portion define the notch.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the notch extends to the bottom surface.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 positioning the locating device within a fracture walker, wherein the bottom surface of the locating device is generally horizontal.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 positioning an insole within the fracture walker, wherein the locating device is interposed between the insole and the fracture walker.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein forming the depression includes: 
 displacing a portion of the insole into the notch.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 positioning an ankle within the fracture walker, wherein the ankle includes the calcaneus and the locating device is interposed between the ankle and the fracture walker, and the calcaneus is located generally above the notch.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein forming the depression includes: 
 applying a force through the calcaneus to the fracture walker such that the force forms the depression.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the depression is formed within an insole.