A low-cost orthosis for the treatment of toe injuries is disclosed. The
orthosis is a bilateral, monolithic structure molded from polymeric foam
material and having an upper portion adapted to surround the heel, dorsal
portions, and toes of a foot, and a lower portion forming an outsole. The
outsole has a wedge-shaped, proximal portion which elevates the forefoot,
the proximal portion terminating in a cylindrical radius positioned
beneath the ball of a user's foot. The distal portion of the outsole is
recessed so that during use the orthosis can pivot on the fulcrum formed
by the previously described radius, as would occur during ambulation,
without the distal end of the orthosis contacting the floor. An insole,
formed by the upper surfaces of the outsole of the orthosis is generally
planar with a distally positioned recess in the area of a user's toes.
The orthosis disclosed mimics true physiology so as to allow a heel
strike, pivoting on the ball of the foot, and launching from the ball of
the foot while preventing weight-bearing flexion and extension of the
toes and protecting the toes from further injury.