US3780742A

US3780742A - Orthopedic foot appliance

Info

Publication number: US3780742A
Application number: US00288103A
Authority: US
Inventors: M Madgy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-09-11
Filing date: 1972-09-11
Publication date: 1973-12-25
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-25

Abstract

An orthopedic foot appliance of resilient plastic that has a heel portion, of varying angles, a front section and an intermediate section, said sections and portion being of varying thickness. The front section is longitudinal convex-concave at its top and bottom with a thin forwardly extending convex tip. The intermediate section is longitudinally planar substantially along its top and bottom. The heel portion at the bottom has a rearwardly converging horizontally planar intermediate section and rearwardly converging inner and outer planar heel sections which are inclined upwardly and outwardly thereto. An inner border extends along the top and is curved upwardly and outwardly and is of progressively increasing height from a limited height at the side of the front section to maximum height at the intermediate portion and slopes down and around the heel portion. The outer border is curved upwardly and outwardly of similar progressively increasing height, but starts at the side of the intermediate section and from front to rear is of corresponding less height than the inner border, to meet at the heel section. The intermediate section has formed in its under surface a series of elongated parallel spaced slots defining a series of elongated parallel spaced stress bars, there being air apertures extending between said slots and the upper surface of the intermediate section. The orthopedic foot appliance has formed across the forward and under surface of its front section a series of parallel spaced transverse slots. There are transversely extending adjustment insert wedges of specific design and backing which have a flat under surface and upwardly extending elongated ridges which are snugly and removably nested frictionally in said transverse slots. The wedges have surfaces tapered at angles in the range of 2*-6*. A metatarsal type insert pad has a longitudinal body of specific design with a flat under surface has upstanding elongated ridges which fit snugly and removably nest in said transverse slots. Said body surface is flat transversely and tapers inwardly from front to rear to underlie a portion of the intermediate section.

Description

United States Patent [191 Madgy Dec. 25, 1973 ORTHOPEDIC FOOT APPLIANCE [76] Inventor: Milton l1. Madgy, 29199 Wellington Ct., Apt. 46, Southfield, Mich.

[22] Filed: Sept. 11, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 288,103 I [52] U.S. Cl. 128/588, 128/615 [51] Int. Cl. A6lf 5/14 [58] Field of Search 128/588, 586, 581, 128/595, 615-621 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,543,765 12/1970 Alzer 128/588 2,122,497 7/1938 Smith 128/588 2,358,342 9/1944 Margolin.. 128/588 2,213,770 9/1940 Sajdak 128/588 2,408,792 10/1946 Margolim. 128/588 2,170,737 8/1939 Swant 128/588 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 600,894 11/1933 Germany 128/588 1,142,786 9/1957 France 128/588 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant ExaminerJ. Yasko Attorney-Robert A. Sloman [5 7] ABSTRACT An orthopedic foot appliance of resilient plastic that has a heel portion, of varying angles, a front section and an intermediate section, said sections and portion being of varying thickness. The front section is longitudinal convex-concave at its top and bottom with a thin forwardly extending convex tip. The intermediate section is longitudinally planar substantially along its top and bottom. The heel portion at the bottom has a rearwardly converging horizontally planar intermediate section and rearwardly converging inner and outer planar heel sections which are inclined upwardly and outwardly thereto.

An inner border extends along the top and is curved upwardly and outwardly and is of progressively increasing height from a limited height at the side of the front section to maximum height at the intermediate portion and slopes down and around the heel portion. The outer border is curved upwardly and outwardly of similar progressively increasing height, but starts at the side of the intermediate section and from front to rear is of corresponding less height than the inner border, to meet at the heel section. The intermediate section has formed in its under surface a series of elongated parallel spaced slots defining a series of elongated parallel spaced stress bars, there being air apertures extending between said slots and the upper surface of the intermediate section.

A metatarsal type insert pad has a longitudinal body of specific design with a flat under surface and has upstanding elongated ridges which fit snugly and removably nest in said transverse slots. Said body surface is flat transversely and tapers inwardly from front to rear to underlie a portion of the intermediate section.

4 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures Liwwn ,1

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SHEU 2 N 2 Z 4 FIGIO a5 FIG.9

ORTHOPEDIC FOOT APPLIANCE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a new and improved foot appliance device and it may be commonly referred to as a foot support, arch support or any other device that is used in a Shoe for like purposes.

Man in today's society and invironment usually walks on hard flat surfaces most of which are unyielding. A normal foot can usually adapt and function on this type of surface.

A foot that does not function relatively normal and when given the proper circumstances and the factor of time may develop many signs and symptoms that plague the human foot. This type of foot should be controlled in order that the foot will move as normally as possible in the invironment of the shoe and the flat hard surfaces that man walks on Ones foot tries to function by the adaptation and rigid lever effect if it can. Trying to push up one end of the arches or several will not in itself cause the foot to move in a more normal manner. One must take into consideration the whole foot, as it is related to its various osseous segments not a particular arch area.

What controls the foot motion? It is how these various osseous segments move relative to each other in the various body planes and the whole foot to the floor. Motion is related to all the body planes and axis of motion around which joints move and forces exerted upon them. This therefore must be considered.

This foot appliance device is based on principles that are mentioned, and are refered to and related to the Biomechanics of Locomotion.

HOW THE FOOT BALANCE DIFFERS FROM OTHER APPLIANCES There is the relationship of heel movement as related to the long axis of the leg, (a relationship of the rear foot or heel area), and how this in turn relates to the front plantar part of the foot (fore foot plane). As a result of these relationships the human foot will manifest itself into basic catagories, as determined by researchers in the field of Biomechanics. There are those feet that are relatively normal, and the foot is able to adapt and function. Those that are relatively abnormal that can develop a multitude of problems because of abnormal function, given the factors of time and others.

These are four basic relationships as pertaining to this application of Biomechanics and therefore a onetype foot appliance device cannot be suitable for the various recognized foot types. These foot types vary to the intrinsic structure present and as a result a foot appliance that can be changed to meet the various foot types will be available as based on these principles. Therefore To my knowledge there is not available at this time a preformed or prefabricated foot appliance that will meet the criteria aforementioned making this new foot appliance as based on some of these concepts and principles completely new in concept, design, structure and with the application for the wedge inserts that can maintain a fore foot to rear foot relationship for better function of the human foot.

DESIGN AND STRUCTURE l. A medial Phalange-higher on the inner border than the outer border of a specific design;

2. A lateral Phalange lower on the outer border than the inner border of a specific design;

3. A heel cup" effect for the heel of specific design;

4. A heel seat control for and at heel contact of a specific design;

5. A mid-portion for stability and yet allow for flexibility to take place when forces are exerted;

6. A fore foot --that extends from the mid-portion of the metatarsal shafts and to end behind the metatarsal heads and designed so that the plane of the basic device can be changed to meet the needs of a particular foot type by means of the insertion of a balancing wedge, that relates to a rear foot and fore foot relationship;

7. The contour of the overall appliance of a specific design that will cradle the foot without creating abnormal stresses;

8. Suitable material that is hygenic in nature.

The heretofore named features relate to the various segments of the human foot in maintaining the plantar plane of the whole foot but not as a support for a particular arch area. The foot balancer allowsmotion to develop in a specific manner as related to the flat surface, the floor, as the man in todays environment functions. This total relationship relates to the various osseous segments of the human foot.

EXCEPTIONS 1. Systemic abnormalities;

2. Deformity; and,

3. Joint surface abnormality that prevents motion.

These and other objects will be seen from the following specification and claims in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of the present orthopedic foot appliance;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view with the foot appliance in use position;

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are respectively sections taken in the direction of arrows 3--3, 4-4, 5-5, and 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the foot appliance with an adjustment wedge in place;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view thereof with the wedge inclined in one direction;

FIG. 10 is a similar view with the wedge inclined in the opposite direction;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the present orthopedic foot appliance and metatarsal pad positioned thereon;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary end elevational view thereof.

It.will be understood that the above drawings illustrate merely preferred embodiments of the invention and that other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the claims hereafter set forth.

REFERRING TO THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of the present orthopedic foot appliance which includes a body of a suitable plastic material such as a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate with or without the addition of polyethylene. It is the objective to provide a plastic material which has sufficient rigidity yet, the desired flexibility and resilience to define the elongated or molded or formed body 13 which is of substantially uniform thickness.

Said body includes heel portion 15, front section 17 and intermediate section 19.

The front section as shown in FIG. 2 has a longitudinally extending convex top at 21 which terminates in the relatively thin tip 23 which is forwardly convex.

The longitudinally convex to section 21 at its rear merges with the'substantially planar portion 25 terminating in the upstanding cup 27 adapted to receive the human heel.

Said tip upon its under surface has a forward front portion 29 which terminates in an inclined upwardly extending flat portion 31.

A series of parallel transversely extending slots 35 are formed in the under surface of the front section thereby defining a series of transverse ridges 33.

The under surface of the intermediate section is generally longitudinally concave at 37; merges into a rearward planar portion 39 going into the heel portion which has an upstanding rearwardly extending angular back 41. 3 A series of elongated longitudinal slots 43 are formed in the under surface of the intermediate section to, thus, define thereby a series of elongated parallel spaced structural stress barsor ribs 45.

The heel portion, FIG. 1, has an intermediate planar flat heel section 51 which converges rearwardly, and

7 upon opposite sides thereof, the upwardly and outwardly inclined inner and

outer heel section

47 and 49. These sections are inclined upwardly and outwardly at an angle in the range of 46 approximately. A series of air openings 53 extend from the longitudinal slots 43 up to the top surface of the intermediate section and provide for the passage of air and ventilation to the foot.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the transverse sections along the length of the foot appliance, it appears from FIG. 3 that the front section on its' top surface is transversely convex atv 55 and terminates in the front inner border 57. This border starts at the side of the front section and extends rearwardly and is of progressively increasing height as it extends outwardly and upwardly as at 59, FIG. 4, at 61, FIG. 5 and at 63, FIG. 6.

The corresponding outer border element 65, FIG. 3, is of very limited height, merges with the corresponding intermediate outer borders 67 and 69 of the intermediate section, FIGS. 4 and 5, and terminates in the rear border element 71 which extends to and around the heel portion merging with the corresponding inner border element 63.

As viewed in FIGS. 3, 4', 5 and 6, it appears that the outer border while it starts at practically zero height at the side of the front section 17, is of corresponding less height than the inner border throughout its length as further shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 illustrate the use of an adjustment wedge 79 which includes a body 81 which is flat on its undersurface and includes a pair of elongated upwardly extending ridges 83 of a cross section similar to the transverse slots 35 and are snugly frictionaly secured therein, FIG. 8. The under surface of the adjustment wedge is flat as at 81, FIG. 7, but has a lateral inclination as designed at 85 at an angle which may range between 28 from the horizontal.

In FIG. 9 the inclination 85 is in one direction to elevate the inner portion of the foot appliance.

In FIG. 10 the inclination 85 is in the opposite direction to elevate the outer portion of the foot appliance as needed.

FIGS. l1, l2 and 13 illustrate the use with the present foot appliance of a metatarsal pad 87 which has a body 89 and upon its upper surface a pair of transversely extending flanges or ridges 91 which are adapted for cooperative snug frictional securing registry within the corresponding slots 35 within the under surface of front section 17.

The bottom surface of body 89 is transversely flat at 93, FIG. 13, but has a longitudinally rearwardly extending inward taper 95 as it extends rearwardly so as to partly underlie the intermediate section 19. The front end portion of said pad is semi-circular as at 97.

OPERATION The present foot device is based on findings as related to the Biomechanics of motion of the human foot. How this relates to the various cardinal planes of the body, as motion takes place around and in various planes by virtue of the axis of motion of the different structures and the shapes of these structures and forces exerted. How the foot moves in these planes, in the shoe and related to the surfaces we walk on.

The human foot falls into basic catagories, as related to the heel contact, and at the mid-stance phase of gait, with the heel on the floor and fore foot to the floor and in a closed kenetic situation. A weight loaded situation.

CLASSIFICATION l. Relative normal A fore foot to rear foot relationship whereas the fore foot is parallel to the trans verse plane and the heel is close to being vertical to the long axis of the leg and have a range of motion so that the foot is able to function around and in this altitude, going from a position of being able to adapt to surfaces, and come back to a position in which the foot can act as a solid lever force to propell off of the distal end of the digits.

2. Not Considered normal An inverted fore foot to the rear foot relationship, where the fore foot is in an inverted position to the transverse plane at heet contact and now functions from this position to get down to the floor, by the rear foot. Everting allowing this to occur, this is a relatively abnormal relationship. This is the relationship and position where the foot is starting to function from and should be maintained in this relationship for better foot function and to prevent the rear foot from compensating for this structural abnormality, the rear foot will not evert or roll in if the fore foot is maintained and allowed to function inverted to the floor, as'this is the optimum position'for this particular foot.

3. An evened fore foot to rear foot relationship where the fore foot is in an everted fixed structural relationship or positional relationship in mid-stance, and because of this position it causes the rear foot to invert or roll to the outside and compensate for this fore foot to rear foot relationship creating a lateral instability, trying to counteract this mechanical force, as leg moves over the foot and heel comes to the floor-being the oppositeof Numb 6T2. r

4. A hypermobile foot type, a positional or structural relationship, by virtue of its bony structure and the interacting muscle forces placed on the foot at heel contact or throughout gait. The fore foot is everted or inverted from the neutral positioned relationship. The rear foot further unlocks or everts to the motion available here, this being an abnormal relationship for walking. The fore foot should be held and or maintained in a more sutiable position before the mid-stance phase of gait is achieved, to prevent further hypermobility or limit hypermobility.

Each foot type that may be present under this classification can function best if the fore foot relationship to the rear foot, when in a neutral position, is maintained by means of fore foot balancing technique. The foot has this relationship because of the inherent or genetic factors present in all living structures and/or forces that are exerted into the foot. This is the structure that is present, that is what we have to walk on. Compensation takes place if compensation is available. Related entities not associated with the osseous structures but rather as a result of a disease entity or injury do not fall into these classifications.

In the past many types of foot support device have been made, with various designs, based on many different principles and varied in shape, material, and all usually related to a specific arch or arch areas, but not related to the Biomechanics of function of the human foot. Many have various deficiencies as to type of material, design and to the mechanical effect it is supposed to have on the foot. They are limited in scope as to their intended purpose and application. The older foot support devices, some of which have been too bulky, others too heavy and when rigid, many have a tendancy to cut into the foot or cause pressure points. If soft, it would lose its shape by virtue of stress and the forces exerted on it and therefore compress.

How does the foot function on the surfaces that man must walk on in todays society the hard flat floors that are unyielding? The floors do not move; it is only the foot that does the moving and if one does not permit the foot to function in a relative normal way or the foot is unstable from whatever the cause and unable to adapt and function somewhat normally than a foot device that maintains a relationship of the foot to the floor so that the foot is in its best optimum position is needed. The position from which the foot should start functioning from, should be that position that does not allow the foot tocompletely unlock by virtue of the relationship of the rear foot, to the fore foot and this in turn to the floor. This unlocking and locking ability is inherent within the osseous structure of the foot- Function must be related to the various bone segments of the foot and how these move, not separately but as they interrelate to each other, collectively, and

these movements of the structures to the axis of motion. One cannot relate only to a specific arch or arches. One does not relate to how fiat the foot may be or if the arch is up or down, but rather how these various segments of the foot function. Is it normal or not? How does the foot function with these various abnormalities. A low arch foot in itself does not mean that the foot is not normal.

If the foot is such that the structure does not permit the foot to function relatively normal, then the foot is unable to perform the task of normal movement as it should no matter what the cause. It is only the abnormal function of a part that creates a problem when given the right circumstances and time. Normal function does not create problems, just the normal physiological wear and tear phenonoma.

Therefore, the present foot appliance takes many of these factors into consideration, making this invention completely new:

2. Application of Biomechanics as related to locomotion and the foot;

' 3. Application for physical stresses and force;

4. Adaptability of the basic unit itself;

5. Rear foot of a specific design to allow for motion to occur from one relative position to another;

6. Mid foot designaiid c ons truction to take stresses of force without altering the basic design to a degree that inhibits the intent of the foot balancer device;

7, AbiTit y tdaiange thefifefoot relationship to the floor, by changing the whole plantar plane of the appliance device therein changing the whole relationship'of theplantar aspect of the foot to maintain a desired fore foot to rear foot relationship. This is accomplished by means of wedge inserts of various sizes, a metatarsal block, a bar wedge effect block. This depends upon the amount required and the amount that can be tolerated by the foot. The inserts, FIGS. 7 and l 1, are so applied along with the bottom surface of the foot support device that it can lock into place and yet be removed whenever necessary.

Most preformed foot devices can only try to hold up the Longitudinal or Metatarsal arch areas, therein, trying to support or use this as a method of holding up these arch areas, and away from the floor; but the body weight, forces of gravity, the opposing ground reaction of the floor, the rotary vector forces of the leg itself, all of these forces that are present when walking make it next to impossible to accomplish this. This can only be accomplished if the forefoot and rear foot arerelated to each other. One cannot just push up an arch or arches to make a foot work more normal, as the human foot depends upon the osseus intrinsic structures for the integrity of the whole foot. Total weight bearing surfaces of the whole foot must be taken into consideration.

l. The position and motion that occurs under the ankle bone (sub-talor) as related with and to the heel bone.

2. The relative position of the heel as it makes contact with the floor.

3. The relative position of these two structures together determines this position along with the forces of the leg onto the foot, which in turn, determines the direct-ion of motion of the tarsal, bones and mid-tarsal joints;

4. This, in turn, determines the position of the fore foot plane and whether it is in a position of being on the floor of off the floor. If it is off the floor, then the fore foot will move down to get to the floor; but this can only be accomplished by the heel everting, the midtarsal joints supinating and the foot being in a position of being unlocked. The fore foot is off the ground, it cannot float in mid air, it must seek the floor level, if at all possible. With the use of the wedge insert the fore foot can be maintained off the floor and the foot functions in this position.

'If the foot is in a position of being unlocked when the leg rolls over the foot and it cannot get back into a position to that of neutral to relock itself, it then moves in this unlocked state allowing for all the problems that can occur.

5. The relationship of the whole bottom of the foot as it is related to this neutral position of the rear foot and this to the total plantar plane. Motion of the foot must be relatively normal and the foot then without any form of control mechanism, can function normally. If not, then the foot balancer device can maintain a more normal relationship to the floor to permit a better function of the foot. in the abnormal foot, if the foot is allowed to be in an unstable position, it will continue to be unstable and unable to return to a position that the foot can lock itself and become a solid lever type of structure to propel off the digits as the heel leaves the floor.

The aforementioned principles, to my knowledge, have never before been incorporated in a preformed or prefabricated foot device that is adjustable, as herein stated.

I claim: I

1. An orthopedic foot appliance of a firm resilient plastic material having a heel portion, a front section to register with the ball of the foot and an intermediate section, all of substantially uniform thickness;

the frontsection being longitudinally convexconcave at its top and bottom respectively terminating in a thin forwardly extending tip, contoured to the human foot shape;

the intermediate section being longitudinally planar substantially, along its top and bottom;

the heel portion being cupped and at its bottom having a rearwardly converging horizontal planar intermediate section, and rearwardly converging inner and outer planar heel sections inclined upwardly and laterally at about 46 approximately relative to the intermediate section;

and inner and outer borders merging at the heel portion;

the inner border being curved upwardly and outwardly at progressively increasing height from a limited height at the front section to a maximum height at the intermediate section, and gradually reducing at and around the heel portion;

the outer border upon the top being curved upwardly and outwardly at progressively increasing height from a limited height at the intermediate section to a maximum height at the intermediate section and around the heel portion and merging with the inner border;

the outer border, except at its front end from front to rear, being of uniform sloping height and of less height than the inner border;

the intermediate section having formed in and throughout the length of its undersurface a series of elongated parallel slots defining a series of elongated parallel spaced stress bars;

there being a series of air apertures extending between said slots and the upper surface of said intermediate section;

said front section having in and across its undersurface a series of parallel spaced transverse slots; and a transversely extending adjustment wedge having a flat undersurface and a pair .of upstanding elongated ridges snugly and removably nested and secured in said transverse slots; said body undersurface being tapered from one end to the other at an angle to the horizontal in the range of 2-6 approximately.

2. An orthopedic foot appliance of a firm resilient plastic material having a heel portion, a front section to register with the ball of the foot and an intermediate section, all of substantially uniform thickness;

the front section being longitudinally convexconcave at its top and bottom respectively terminating in a thin forwardly extending tip, contoured to the human foot shape;

the intermediate section being longitudinally planar substantially along its top and bottom;

the heel portion being cupped and at its bottom having a rearwardly converging horizontal planar intermediate section, and rearwardly converging inner and outer planar heel sections inclined upwardly and laterally at about 4-6 approximately relative to the intermediate section;

and inner and outer borders merging at the heel portion;

the outer border, excpet at its front end from front to rear, being of uniform sloping height and of less height than the inner border;

said front section having in and across its undersurface a series of parallel spaced transverse slots; and a metatarsal pad having a longitudinally extending body with a flat undersurface and a pair of upstanding elongated transversely extending ridges snugly and removably nested and secured in said transverse slots, said body undersurface being flat transversely and tapered upwardly from front to rear and underlying the forward undersurface of the intermediate section.

3. An orthopedic foot applicane of a firm resilient plastic material having a heel portion, a front section to register with the ball of the foot and an intermediate register with the ball of the foot and an intermediate section; section;

the front section being longitudinally convexconcave at its top and bottom respectively termithe front section being longitudinally convexconcave at its top and bottom respectively terminating in a thin forwardly extending convex tip; 5 nating in a thin forwardly extending convex tip; the intermediate section merging with the front secthe intermediate section merging with the front section and being longitudinally planar substantially, tion and being longitudinally planar substantially, along its top and bottom; along its top and bottom; the heel portion being cupped and at its bottom havthe heel portion being cupped and at its bottom having a rearwardly converging horizontal planar in- 1() ing a rearwardly converging horizontal planar intermediate section, and rearwardly converging termediate section, and rearwardly converging inner and outer planar heel sections inclined upinner and outer planar heel sections inclined upwardly and laterally at about 4-6 approximately wardly and laterally at about 4-6 approximately relative to the intermediate section; relative to the intermediate section; and inner and outer borders merging at the heel porand inner and outer borders merging at the heel portion; being curved upwardly and outwardly at protion; being curved upwardly and outwardly at progressively increasing height; gressively increasing height; the intermediate section having formed in and the intermediate section having formed in and throughout the length of its under surface a series throughout the length of its under surface a series of elongated parallel slots defining a series of elonof elongated parallel slots defining a series of elongated parallel spaced stress bars; gated parallel spaced stress bars; there being a series of air apertures extending bethere being a series of air apertures extending between said slots and the upper surface of said intertween said slots and the upper surface of said intermediate section; mediate section; said front section having in and across its under sursaid front section having in and across its under surface a series of parallel spaced transverse slots; and face a series of parallel spaced transverse slots; and a transversly extending adjustment wedge having a a metatarsal pad having a longitudinally extending flat under surface and a pair of upstanding elonbody with a flat under surface and a pair of upgated ridges snugly and removably nested and sestanding elongated transversely extending ridges cured in said transverse slots; said body under sursnugly and removably nested and secured in said face being tapered from one end to the other at an transverse slots; said body under surface being flat angle to the horizontal in the range of 28 aptransversely and tapered upwardly from front to proximately. rear and underlying the forward under surface of 4. An orthopedic foot appliance of a firm resilient the intermediate section. plastic material having a heel portion, a front section to

Claims

1. An orthopedic foot appliance of a firm resilient plastic material having a heel portion, a front section to register with the ball of the foot and an intermediate section, all of substantially uniform thickness; the front section being longitudinally convex-concave at its top and bottom respectively terminating in a thin forwardly extending tip, contoured to the human foot shape; the intermediate section being longitudinally planar substantially, along its top and bottom; the heel portion being cupped and at its bottom having a rearwardly converging horizontal planar intermediate section, and rearwardly converging inner and outer planar heel sections inclined upwardly and laterally at about 4*-6* approximately relative to the intermediate section; and inner and outer borders merging at the heel portion; the inner border being curved upwardly and outwardly at progressively increasing height from a limited height at the front section to a maximum height at the intermediate section, and gradually reducing at and around the heel portion; the outer border upon the top being curved upwardly and outwardly at progressively increasing height from a limited height at the intermediate section to a maximum height at the intermediate section and around the heel portion and merging with the inner border; the outer border, except at its front end from front to rear, being of uniform sloping height and of less height than the inner border; the intermediate section having formed in and throughout the length of its undersurface a series of elongated parallel slots defining a series of elongated parallel spaced stress bars; there being a series of air apertures extending between said slots and the upper surface of said intermediate section; said front section having in and across its undersurface a series of parallel spaced transverse slots; and a transversely extending adjustment wedge having a flat undersurface and a pair of upstanding elongated ridges snugly and removably nested and secured in said transverse slots; said body undersurface being tapered from one end to the other at an angle to the horizontal in the range of 2*-6* approximately.

2. An orthopedic foot appliance of a firm resilient plastic material having a heel portion, a front section to register with the ball of the foot and an intermediate section, all of substantially uniform thickness; the front section being longitudinally convex-concave at its top and bottom respectively terminating in a thin forwardly extending tip, contoured to the human foot shape; the intermediate section being longitudinally planar substantially along its top and bottom; the heel portion being cupped and at its bottom having a rearwardly converging horizontal planar intermediate section, and rearwardly converging inner and outer planar heel sections inclined upwardly and laterally at about 4*-6* approximately relative to the intermediate section; and inner and outer borders merging at the heel portion; the inner border being curved upwardly and outwardly at progressively increasing height from a limited height at the front section to a maximum height at the intermediate section, and gradually reducing at and around the heel portion; the outer border upon the top being curved upwardly and outwardly at progressively increasing height from a limited height at the intermediate section to a maximum height at the intermediate section and around the heel portion and merging with the inner border; the outer border, excpet at its front end from front to rear, being of uniform sloping height and of less height than the inner border; the intermediate section having formed in and throughout the length of its undersurface a series of elongated parallel slots defIning a series of elongated parallel spaced stress bars; there being a series of air apertures extending between said slots and the upper surface of said intermediate section; said front section having in and across its undersurface a series of parallel spaced transverse slots; and a metatarsal pad having a longitudinally extending body with a flat undersurface and a pair of upstanding elongated transversely extending ridges snugly and removably nested and secured in said transverse slots, said body undersurface being flat transversely and tapered upwardly from front to rear and underlying the forward undersurface of the intermediate section.

3. An orthopedic foot applicane of a firm resilient plastic material having a heel portion, a front section to register with the ball of the foot and an intermediate section; the front section being longitudinally convex-concave at its top and bottom respectively terminating in a thin forwardly extending convex tip; the intermediate section merging with the front section and being longitudinally planar substantially, along its top and bottom; the heel portion being cupped and at its bottom having a rearwardly converging horizontal planar intermediate section, and rearwardly converging inner and outer planar heel sections inclined upwardly and laterally at about 4*-6* approximately relative to the intermediate section; and inner and outer borders merging at the heel portion; being curved upwardly and outwardly at progressively increasing height; the intermediate section having formed in and throughout the length of its under surface a series of elongated parallel slots defining a series of elongated parallel spaced stress bars; there being a series of air apertures extending between said slots and the upper surface of said intermediate section; said front section having in and across its under surface a series of parallel spaced transverse slots; and a transversly extending adjustment wedge having a flat under surface and a pair of upstanding elongated ridges snugly and removably nested and secured in said transverse slots; said body under surface being tapered from one end to the other at an angle to the horizontal in the range of 2*-8* approximately.

4. An orthopedic foot appliance of a firm resilient plastic material having a heel portion, a front section to register with the ball of the foot and an intermediate section; the front section being longitudinally convex-concave at its top and bottom respectively terminating in a thin forwardly extending convex tip; the intermediate section merging with the front section and being longitudinally planar substantially, along its top and bottom; the heel portion being cupped and at its bottom having a rearwardly converging horizontal planar intermediate section, and rearwardly converging inner and outer planar heel sections inclined upwardly and laterally at about 4*-6* approximately relative to the intermediate section; and inner and outer borders merging at the heel portion; being curved upwardly and outwardly at progressively increasing height; the intermediate section having formed in and throughout the length of its under surface a series of elongated parallel slots defining a series of elongated parallel spaced stress bars; there being a series of air apertures extending between said slots and the upper surface of said intermediate section; said front section having in and across its under surface a series of parallel spaced transverse slots; and a metatarsal pad having a longitudinally extending body with a flat under surface and a pair of upstanding elongated transversely extending ridges snugly and removably nested and secured in said transverse slots; said body under surface being flat transversely and tapered upwardly from front to rear and underlying the forward under surface of the intermediate section.