Orthotic device

Abstract

An orthotic device to align and restrict movement of the foot and ankle of a patient comprising an elongated rigid lateral support member disposed adjacent the outside of the patient's lower leg extending between an upper rigid brace member configured to partially surround the upper portion of the lower leg and a lower foot support to support the foot, a flexible leg engagement member disposed adjacent the inside of the patient's lower leg extending downwardly from the upper rigid brace member terminating in a leg engagement member to selectively engage the calf portion, an upper attachment member to removably secure the orthotic device to the lower leg of the patient and a lower adjustment member to selectively secure the flexible leg engagement member in the second position against the inside of the patient's lower leg.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An orthotic device to align and restrict movement of the foot and ankle of a patient relative to the lower leg portion of the patient comprising a substantially vertical elongated rigid lateral support member disposed adjacent the outside of the patient's lower leg extending between an upper substantially concave rigid brace member configured to engage and partially surround the upper portion of the lower leg below or beneath the knee and a lower foot support configured to engage and support the foot, a substantially vertical flexible leg engagement member movable between a first position and a second position disposed adjacent the inside of the patient's lower leg extending downwardly from the upper substantially concave rigid brace member terminating in a leg engagement member to selectively engage the calf portion on the inside of the patient's leg when in said second position, an upper attachment member to removably secure said orthotic device to the lower leg of the patient and a lower adjustment member to selectively secure said flexible leg engagement member in said second position against the inside of the patient's lower leg to align and restrict movement of the foot and ankle of the patient relative to the lower leg portion of the patient. 
     
     
         2 . An orthotic device to align and restrict movement of the foot and ankle of a patient relative to the lower leg portion of the patient comprising a substantially rigid lateral support member disposed adjacent the outside of the patient's lower leg extending between an upper brace member configured to engage and partially surround the upper portion of the lower leg below or beneath the knee and a lower foot support configured to engage and support the foot, a substantially flexible leg engagement member movable between a first position and a second position disposed adjacent the inside of the patient's lower leg extending downwardly from said upper brace member terminating in a leg engagement member to selectively engage the calf portion on the inside of the patient's leg when in said second position, an upper attachment member to removably secure said orthotic device to the lower leg of the patient and a lower adjustment member to selectively secure said flexible leg engagement member when in said second position against the inside of the patient's lower leg to align and restrict movement of the foot and ankle of the patient relative to the lower leg portion of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The orthotic device of  claim 2  wherein said substantially rigid lateral support member comprises a substantially vertical elongated substantially rigid lateral support member and said upper brace member comprises a substantially concave rigid brace member. 
     
     
         4 . The orthotic device of  claim 2  wherein said upper attachment member comprises a first attachment element and a second attachment element configured to engage each other to secure said upper attachment member to the lower leg of the patient. 
     
     
         5 . The orthotic device of  claim 4  wherein said first attachment element comprises a strap and said second attachment element comprises a buckle to receive said strap therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The orthotic device of  claim 5  wherein said upper attachment member further includes a first fastener and a second fastener to engage each other to secure said strap in place. 
     
     
         7 . The orthotic device of  claim 6  wherein said first fastener comprises a plurality of hooks and said second fastener comprises a corresponding plurality of loops. 
     
     
         8 . The orthotic device of  claim 2  wherein said lower adjustment member comprises a first attachment element and a second attachment element configured to engage each other to secure said lower adjustment member to the lower leg of the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The orthotic device of  claim 8  wherein said first attachment element comprises a strap and said second attachment element comprises a buckle to receive said strap therethrough. 
     
     
         10 . The orthotic device of  claim 9  wherein said lower adjustment member further includes a first fastener and a second fastener to engage each other to secure said strap in place. 
     
     
         11 . The orthotic device of  claim 10  wherein said first fastener comprises a plurality of hooks and said second fastener comprises a corresponding plurality of loops. 
     
     
         12 . The orthotic device of  claim 9  further including an anterior restraint position restraint mounted on said strap to engage the patient's lower leg. 
     
     
         13 . The orthotic device of  claim 7  further including an enlarged engaging member on the lower portion of said substantially flexible leg engagement member. 
     
     
         14 . The orthotic device of  claim 8  wherein said upper attachment member comprises a first attachment element and a second attachment element configured to engage each other to secure said upper attachment member to the lower leg of the patient and said lower adjustment member comprises a first attachment element and a second attachment element configured to engage each other to secure said lower adjustment member to the lower leg of the patient. 
     
     
         15 . The orthotic device of  claim 14  wherein said first attachment element of said upper attachment member comprises a strap and said second attachment element comprises a buckle to receive said strap therethrough and wherein said first attachment element of said lower adjustment comprises a strap and said second attachment element comprises a buckle to receive said strap therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . The orthotic device of  claim 15  wherein said upper attachment member further includes a first fastener and a second fastener to engage each other to secure said strap in place and wherein said lower adjustment member further includes a first fastener and a second fastener to engage each other to secure said strap in place. 
     
     
         17 . The orthotic device of  claim 16  wherein said first fastener of said upper attachment member comprises a plurality of hooks and said second fastener comprises a corresponding plurality of loops and wherein said first fastener of said lower adjustment member comprises a plurality of hooks and said second fastener comprises a corresponding plurality of loops. 
     
     
         18 . The orthotic device of  claim 15  further including an anterior restraint position restraint affixed to said strap of said lower adjustment member to engage the lower portion of the patient's lower leg. 
     
     
         19 . The orthotic device of  claim 9  wherein said lower adjustment member further includes an anterior restraint mounted to said strap to engage the patient's lower leg. 
     
     
         20 . The orthotic device of  claim 19  wherein said lower adjustment member further includes a posterior restraint mounted to said strap to engage the patient's lower leg. 
     
     
         21 . The orthotic device of  claim 9  wherein said lower adjustment member further includes a posterior restraint mounted to said strap to engage the patient's lower leg.