Achilles tendon stretching device

Abstract

An Achilles tendon stretching device can include manual or automatic mechanisms to allow incremental height changes to an insole placed within a walking boot, orthopedic shoe, or post surgical shoe, in order to allow more even and gradual and/or incremental stretching of the Achilles tendon. The height adjustment mechanisms can include mechanical, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic adjustment mechanisms, as well as manual incremental removal of integrally formed layers of a heel wedge.

1 . An orthopedic device for use as an Achilles tendon stretching device, comprising:
 footwear having a height adjustable insole and a plantar sole, wherein a manual or automatic height adjustment mechanism is provided to gradually and/or incrementally adjust the height of the insole with respect to the plantar sole.   
     
     
         2 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the height adjustment mechanism comprises:
 an adjustment screw; and   an adjustment dial.   
     
     
         3 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 2 , wherein the height adjustment mechanism further comprises:
 a jack mechanism positioned between the insole and the plantar sole, wherein rotation of the adjustment dial causes rotation of the adjustment screw to raise or lower the jack mechanism in order to adjust the height of the insole with respect to the plantar sole.   
     
     
         4 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 2 , wherein the adjustment dial or the footwear includes a marker, which points at distinct indicia provided on the footwear or the adjustment dial in order to represent an incremental change in height of the insole with respect to the plantar sole. 
     
     
         5 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 2 , wherein the adjustment dial is configured for manual rotation including textures or shapes to aid with manual manipulation thereof, or includes an electric motor and a control mechanism to allow for automatic adjustment of the adjustment dial. 
     
     
         6 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the footwear includes onboard electronics mechanisms to sense a level of activity of a user and to automatically adjust the height of the insole relative to the plantar sole in response to the sensed activity level. 
     
     
         7 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the footwear includes onboard communication mechanisms configured to provide messages to a practitioner for monitoring progress a wearer of the orthopedic device. 
     
     
         8 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 1 , the height adjustment mechanism comprises:
 an adjustment screw passing through the plantar sole and connected to the insole by a universal joint to translate rotation of the adjustment screw into vertical adjustment of the insole with respect to the plantar sole.   
     
     
         9 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the height adjustment mechanism comprises:
 a bladder positioned between the insole and the plantar sole, the bladder having a valve connected thereto for automatically and/or selectively releasing gas or fluid therefrom.   
     
     
         10 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 9 , wherein the valve is a slow leak valve configured to automatically and continuously release a predefined amount of gas or fluid from the bladder. 
     
     
         11 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a processor, and   wherein the valve is a solenoid valve controlled by the processor to provide gradual and/or incremental release of gas or fluid from the bladder.   
     
     
         12 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 removable and interchangeable heel wedges having different heights provided in combination with the bladder to adjust the height of the insole with respect to the plantar sole.   
     
     
         13 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 removable heel wedges having consistent heights provided in combination with the bladder to adjust the height of the insole with respect to the plantar sole.   
     
     
         14 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the height adjustment mechanism comprises:
 a heel wedge having a plurality of integrally formed layers connected at an anterior portion thereof;   wherein a proximal surface of the heel wedge forms at least a portion of the insole, and the layers of the heel wedge can be selectively removed from the heel wedge in order to adjust the height of the proximal surface of the heel wedge with respect to the plantar sole.   
     
     
         15 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 14 , wherein the heel wedge includes a heel stop provided on the proximal surface of the heel wedge. 
     
     
         16 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 15 , wherein the heel stop has a generally triangular shape with a raised ridge provided on a proximal surface thereof 
     
     
         17 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 15 , wherein the heel stop has a generally trapezoidal shape defining a planar surface at a raised ridge provided on a proximal surface thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 15 , wherein the heel stop is secured to the heel wedge with adhesive. 
     
     
         19 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 15 , wherein the layers of the heel wedge are formed from a material having a hardness in the range of 35-60 shore and the heel stop is formed from a compression molded EVA foam, or an injected molded TPE. 
     
     
         20 . The orthopedic device according to  claim 1 , wherein the height adjustment mechanism comprises:
 a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder provided between the insole and plantar sole for adjusting the height of the insole with respect to the plantar sole.