Article for alleviating bunion deformity and pain

Abstract

An article for overcoming the inward deforming tendency of the big toe of a person suffering from bunions is herein disclosed. The article is constructed of stretch fabric in the form of a tube sock which transitions in the region encompassing the toes, into two distinct pockets. A first elongated pocket encompasses the second through fifth toes, while the other pocket encompasses the big toe. A gap between the pockets works in combination with multiple layers of elastomeric material knit in a long but narrow band on the outside of the big toe and running down the side of the sock. When the sock is donned, the band of elastomeric material creates compressive restoring forces that draw the big toe pocket, and thus the big toe, outwardly from the other toes. Continuous use of the article serves to stretch tight tendons and toes muscles, and deter bunion pain and deformity.

1 . An article, for use by a person suffering from bunions to counter deformity, said article comprising a generally tubular sock constructed of knitted stretch fabric, said generally tubular sock transitioning into at least a first pocket and a second pocket, said first pocket being formed to encompass one or more toes, and said second pocket being formed to encompass the remaining of said one or more toes, said first pocket and said second pocket being separated by a gap; at least one of said pockets further comprising a highly elastic region formed into a narrow elongated band on a portion of said pocket, said highly elastic region comprised of one or more layers of knitted elastomeric fabric, said knitted elastomeric fabric of said highly elastic region being capable of creating an elastic compressive restoring force, said elastic compressive restoring force working to counter deformation. 
     
     
         2 . The article according to  claim 1  wherein said narrow elongated band is located on a side of said at least one pocket. 
     
     
         3 . The article according to  claim 2  wherein said at least one pocket with said highly elastic region on a side of said pocket further comprises a region of non-elastic fabric on a second side. 
     
     
         4 . The article according to  claim 1  wherein said first pocket comprises a generally cylindrically-shaped pocket encompassing a big toe, and wherein said second pocket is an elongated pocket sized to encompass a second through fifth toes, and wherein said highly elastic region is located on said big toe pocket on a portion being generally opposite to said gap. 
     
     
         5 . The article according to  claim 1  wherein said at least a first pocket and a second pocket further comprises a first-toe pocket, a second-toe pocket, a third-toe pocket, a fourth-toe pocket, and a fifth-toe pocket, each of said pockets being shaped to correspond to the encompassed toe, one or more of said toes further comprising said highly elastic region. 
     
     
         6 . An article, for use by a person suffering from bunions to stretch tight tendons and toe muscles, and deter bunion pain and deformity, said article comprising a sock having:
 (a) a first end and a center region, said first end and said center region being comprised of a first knit construction, said first knit construction comprising a knitted stretch fabric, said knitted stretch fabric of said center region forming generally a cylindrical shape, said knitted stretch fabric of said center region transitioning at said first end from said generally cylindrical shape to form a first pocket and a big toe pocket, said first pocket being elongated, said big toe pocket being generally cylindrically-shaped, said cylindrically shaped big toe pocket located adjacent to said elongated first pocket, said first pocket and said big toe pocket being formed to create a gap between said first pocket and said big toe pocket;   (b) a lateral elastic region, said lateral elastic region extending from at least a portion of said big toe pocket of said first end to at least a portion of said center region, said lateral elastic region being formed on a side of said big toe pocket opposite to said gap, said lateral elastic region comprised of one or more layers of knitted elastomeric fabric, said knitted elastomeric fabric of said lateral elastic region creating an elastic compressive restoring force, said elastic compressive restoring force causing outward rotation of said big toe pocket away from said first pocket.   
     
     
         7 . The article according to  claim 6  wherein said lateral elastic region runs along an entire side of said big toe pocket. 
     
     
         8 . The article according to  claim 7  wherein said lateral elastic region extends along at least half of said center region. 
     
     
         9 . The article according to  claim 8  wherein said knitted elastomeric fabric is formed from orthopedic support fabric. 
     
     
         10 . The article according to  claim 9  wherein said knitted elastomeric fabric is comprised of elastic yarn running in one direction and non-elastic yarn running in another direction. 
     
     
         11 . The article according to  claim 9  wherein said knitted elastomeric fabric is formed from the group consisting of: cotton; spandex rubber; lycra; and nylon. 
     
     
         12 . The article according to  claim 8  wherein said elastomeric fabric of said lateral elastic region is of a weight where it may be worn within shoes. 
     
     
         13 . The article according to  claim 12  wherein said center region and said second end are formed by knitting in the round. 
     
     
         14 . The article according to  claim 13  wherein at least a portion of said first end is formed by knitting in the round, and a portion is formed by flat knitting, said flat knit portion having sewn seams. 
     
     
         15 . The article according to  claim 14  wherein said gap between said first pocket and said big toe pocket is increased by contouring said big toe pocket away from said first pocket. 
     
     
         16 . An article, for use by a person suffering from bunions to stretch tight tendons and toe muscles, and deter bunion pain and deformity, said article comprising a sock having:
 (a) a first end and a center region; said first end and said center region comprised of a first knit construction, said first knit construction comprised of a knitted stretch fabric, said knitted stretch fabric of said center region forming generally a cylindrical shape; said knitted stretch fabric of said center region transitioning at said first end from said generally cylindrical shape to form a first pocket and a big toe pocket; said first pocket being elongated; said big toe pocket being generally cylindrically-shaped, said cylindrically-shaped big toe pocket being located adjacent to said elongated first pocket; said first pocket having and inside surface; said big toe pocket having an inside surface, an outside surface and a tip; said inside surface of said first pocket and said inside surface of said big toe pocket forming a gap between said first pocket and said big toe pocket, and creating a length of said big toe pocket;   (b) a lateral elastic region; said lateral elastic region extending from said tip of said big toe pocket and into said center region by a distance at least twice said length of said big toe pocket; said lateral elastic region being formed on said outside surface of said big toe pocket, said lateral elastic region comprised of one or more layers of knitted elastomeric fabric, said knitted elastomeric fabric of said lateral elastic region creating an elastic compressive restoring force, said elastic compressive restoring force causing outward rotation of said big toe pocket away from said first pocket;   (c) a second end, said second end comprising a cuff having a bottom transition end beginning at said center region and a top free end, said second end being comprised of a second knit construction, said second knit construction being comprised of a loosely knit stretch fabric, said loosely knit stretch fabric of said second end forming generally a cylindrical shape, said second end further comprising a circular rubber band at said top free end, said circular rubber band being woven into said loosely knit stretch fabric at said top free end, said cuff further comprising ribbing.   
     
     
         17 . A method of stretching tight tendons and toe muscles, and deterring bunion pain and deformity, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a series of article, said series of article capable of providing lateral support for an inwardly-deforming great toe, each successive article of said series of article providing progressively greater lateral support, a first article of said series of article comprising:
 (i) a first end and a center region; said first end and said center region comprised of a first knit construction, said first knit construction comprised of a knitted stretch fabric, said knitted stretch fabric of said center region forming a generally cylindrical shape; said knitted stretch fabric of said center region transitioning at said first end from said generally cylindrical shape to form a first pocket and a big toe pocket; said first pocket being elongated; said big toe pocket being generally cylindrically-shaped, said cylindrically-shaped big toe pocket being located adjacent to said elongated first pocket; said first pocket having and inside surface; said big toe pocket having an inside surface, an outside surface and a tip; said inside surface of said first pocket and said inside surface of said big toe pocket forming a gap between said first pocket and said big toe pocket, and creating a length of said big toe pocket; 
 (ii) a lateral elastic region; said lateral elastic region extending from said tip of said big toe pocket and into said center region by a distance at least twice said length of said big toe pocket; said lateral elastic region being formed on said outside surface of said big toe pocket opposite to said gap, said lateral elastic region comprised of one or more layers of knitted elastomeric fabric, said knitted elastomeric fabric of said lateral elastic region creating an elastic compressive restoring force, said elastic compressive restoring force causing outward rotation of said big toe pocket away from said first pocket; 
   (b) a second article of said series of article, said second article comprising an article formed with every feature of said first of said article, said gap between said first pocket and said big toe pocket for said second article being incrementally greater than said gap of said first article, and wherein said greater gap is provided by said big toe pocket of said second article angling away from said first pocket.   (c) each succeeding article beyond said second article of said series of article comprising an article having an incrementally greater gap.   (d) wearing each of said series of article for a period of time beginning with said first article.