Rearfoot support device

Abstract

A rearfoot support device is provided that extends upwards on both medial and lateral sides of the heel in order to stabilize the subtalar joint in a neutral position and reduce medial longitudinal arch collapse. The device supports the subtalar joint by cradling the heel on the medial and lateral sides to prevent the subtalar joint from deviating excessively from the neutral position. Unlike conventional orthotic support devices, the rearfoot support device includes a clamp closure system to accommodate different foot widths, which securely clamp the device to the rearfoot of a user and support the subtalar joint without the need for fasteners or wrapping around the midfoot or dorsum of the foot. The device fits securely to the heel and rearfoot, and can be worn barefoot, with backless footwear or with enclosed footwear to provide improved subtalar joint motion control.

1 . A rearfoot support device, comprising: 
 a base portion configured to be positioned under a rearfoot of a user;   a posterior portion;   a lateral portion extending between the base portion and the posterior portion;   a medial portion extending between the base portion and the posterior portion opposite to the lateral portion, wherein the lateral portion and the medial portion are each formed of a first material;   a first support member coupled to the lateral portion; and   a second support member coupled to the medial portion, wherein the first and second support members are configured to support a subtalar joint of the user, and wherein the first support member and the second support member are each formed of a second material different than the first material;   
       wherein the base portion, the first support member, and the second support member are configured to clamp the rearfoot of the user therebetween to stabilize a subtalar joint of the user. 
     
     
         2 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion, the first support member, and the second support member are configured to support the subtalar joint in a neutral position. 
     
     
         3 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion, the posterior portion, the lateral portion, and the medial portion extend continuously to define a continuous structure. 
     
     
         4 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 3 , wherein the continuous structure is configured to be positioned within an enclosed footwear. 
     
     
         5 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 3 , wherein the continuous structure has a first distance between the lateral portion and the base portion in a direction orthogonal to the base portion, wherein the continuous structure has a second distance between the medial portion and the base portion in a direction orthogonal to the base portion, and wherein the continuous structure has a third distance between the posterior portion and the base portion in a direction orthogonal to the base portion, and wherein the third distance is greater than the first distance and the second distance. 
     
     
         6 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral portion and the medial portion are each biased toward the other. 
     
     
         7 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 1 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are joined together by a third support member coupled to the posterior portion. 
     
     
         8 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 1 , wherein the posterior portion has a height above the base portion, and wherein the lateral portion and the medial portion do not extend substantially above the height of the posterior portion above the base portion. 
     
     
         9 . A rearfoot support device, comprising: 
 a base portion configured to be positioned below a rearfoot of a user;   a posterior portion having a first height above the base portion;   a lateral portion extending between the base portion and the posterior portion; and   a medial portion extending between the base portion and the posterior portion opposite to the lateral portion, wherein the lateral portion and the medial portion each have a maximum second height above the base portion that is less than or equal to the first height;   
       wherein the base portion, the lateral portion, and the medial portion are configured to clamp the rearfoot of the user therebetween to stabilize a subtalar joint of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 9 , wherein the lateral portion includes first support member attached thereto, wherein the medial portion includes a second support member attached thereto, and wherein the first support member faces the second support member. 
     
     
         11 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 10 , wherein the first support member is formed of a material different than a material of the lateral portion, and wherein the second support member is formed of a material different than a material of the medial portion. 
     
     
         12 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 10 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are configured to engage opposing sides of the rearfoot of the user. 
     
     
         13 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 9 , wherein the base portion, the first support member, and the second support member are configured to support the subtalar joint in a neutral position. 
     
     
         14 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 9 , wherein the base portion, the posterior portion, the lateral portion, and the medial portion extend continuously to define a continuous structure. 
     
     
         15 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 14 , wherein the continuous structure is configured to be positioned within an enclosed footwear. 
     
     
         16 . A rearfoot support device, comprising: 
 a base portion configured to be positioned below a rearfoot of a user;   a posterior portion;   a lateral portion extending between the base portion and the posterior portion; and   a medial portion extending between the base portion and the posterior portion opposite to the lateral portion, wherein the base portion, the posterior portion, the lateral portion, and the medial portion extend continuously to define a continuous structure;   
       wherein the base portion, the lateral portion, and the medial portion are configured to clamp the rearfoot of the user therebetween to stabilize a subtalar joint of the user. 
     
     
         17 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 16 , wherein the lateral portion includes first support member attached thereto, wherein the medial portion includes a second support member attached thereto, and wherein the first support member faces the second support member. 
     
     
         18 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 17 , wherein the first support member is formed of a material different than a material of the lateral portion, and wherein the second support member is formed of a material different than a material of the medial portion. 
     
     
         19 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 16 , wherein the posterior portion has a height above the base portion, and wherein the lateral portion and the medial portion do not extend substantially above the height of the posterior portion above the base portion. 
     
     
         20 . The rearfoot support device of  claim 16 , wherein the continuous structure is configured to be positioned within an enclosed footwear.