Orthopedic device for stabilizing the lower leg and enabling knee motion therapy

An orthopedic device for elevating a patient's foot and restraining medial and lateral rotation of the patient's foot, the device comprising:

• a main body, the main body including:
• a bottom portion having a generally flat bottom surface,
• two opposing side ridges that define a depression therebetween, and
• a support surface disposed between the opposing side ridges and configured to support an ankle and distal end of the patient's leg and terminate distal to the patient's calf when the patient's foot is placed within the orthopedic device,
• wherein the opposing side ridges are configured to conform to the patient's foot to stabilize the foot and prevent medial and lateral rotation of the foot, wherein the side ridges extend to a height of at least three inches above the ankle support surface and are spaced apart so as to facilitate downward placement of a foot into the medial depression and upward lifting of the foot from the medial depression without manual manipulation and spreading apart of the side ridges;
• and
• a base attached to the bottom portion of the main body, the base having a generally flat low-friction bottom surface and a raised perimeter that extends upward from the bottom surface of the base so that at least part of the bottom portion of the main body is placed within the base,
• wherein the low-friction bottom surface of the base facilitates sliding of the device on a surface, and the main body supports and stabilizes the foot, while performing leg exercises,
• wherein the opposing side ridges limit medial and/or lateral rotation of the patient's foot when placed on the support surface of the medial depression.

A device for supporting and elevating a patient's foot and restraining medial and lateral rotation of the patient's foot, comprising:

• a main body, the main body comprising:
• a bottom portion having a generally flat bottom surface and lateral edges;
• two spaced-apart lateral ridges extending along or near the lateral edges of the main body and having inner side surfaces, wherein the lateral ridges are spaced apart so as to facilitate downward placement of a foot into the medial depression and upward lifting of the foot from the medial depression without manual manipulation and spreading apart of the lateral ridges;
• and
• a medial depression between the lateral ridges that provides a support surface on which the ankle may be positioned and supported, wherein the support surface is contoured to support natural contours of the ankle, and wherein the support surface terminates distal to a patient's calf when the patient's foot is placed within the device, the support surface including a heel aperture sized to permit the heel to sink therein and be suspended without contacting the support surface,
• wherein the support surface and heel aperture are sized to elevate the ankle and heel an elevation of at least 3 inches above the bottom surface, and
• wherein (i) termination of the support surface distal to the calf and (ii) elevation of the ankle and heel to at least 3 inches above the bottom surface provide sufficient clearance on a posterior side of the knee for gravity to encourage knee extension;
• and
• a base attached to the bottom portion of the main body, the base having a generally flat low-friction bottom surface and a raised perimeter that extends upward from the bottom surface of the base to a height so that at least part of the bottom portion and lateral edges of the main body are placed within the base,
• wherein the low-friction bottom surface of the base facilitates sliding of the device on a surface, the raised perimeter limits snagging or catching of the base, and the main body supports and stabilizes the foot, while performing leg exercises,
• wherein the inner side surfaces of the lateral ridges limit medial and/or lateral rotation of the patient's foot when placed on the support surface of the medial depression.