A sole and method of determining attributes thereof

A method of determining a rear foot posting of a sole, the method including the steps of:

• determining a talar head palpation of a user's foot, wherein:
• if the position of talus head is palpable on the lateral of the foot but not on the medial side, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the talar head is felt on the lateral of the foot and only slightly palpable on the medial side of the foot, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the talar head is equally palpable on the lateral and medial side of the foot, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the talar head is slightly palpable on lateral side and palpable on medial side, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the talar head is not palpable on lateral side, but palpable on medial side, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining a supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value of the user's foot, wherein:
• if the curve below the malleolus is either straight or convex, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the curve below the malleolus is concave, but flatter or more than the curve above the malleolus, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of −1;
• if both the infra and supra malleolar curves are substantially equal, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the curve below the malleolus is more concave than the curve above the malleolus, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the curve below the malleolus is markedly more concave than the curve above the malleolus, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining a calcaneal frontal plane position value of the user's foot, wherein:
• if the calcaneus is more than 5° inverted, then the calcaneal frontal plane position value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the calcaneus is between vertical and 5° inverted, then the calcaneal frontal plane position value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the calcaneus is substantially vertical, then the calcaneal frontal plane position value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the calcaneus is between vertical and 5° everted, then the calcaneal frontal plane position value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the calcaneus is more than 5° everted, then the calcaneal frontal plane position value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining a prominence of the talo-navicular joint value of the user's foot, wherein:
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is markedly concave, then the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is slightly but definitely concave, then the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is significantly flat, then the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is bulging slightly, then the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is bulging markedly, then the
• prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining a congruence of medial longitudinal arch value of the user's foot, wherein:
• if the arch is high and acutely angled towards the posterior end of the medial arch, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the arch is moderately high and slightly acute posteriorly, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the arch height is normal and concentrically curved, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the arch is lowered with some flattening in the central position, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the arch very low with severe flattening in the central portion and the arch makes ground contact, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining an abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value of the user's foot, by viewing the foot from behind, wherein:
• if there are no lateral toes visible and medial toes are clearly visible, then the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the medial toes are clearly more visible than the lateral toes, then the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the medial and lateral toes are equally visible, then the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the lateral toes are clearly more visible than the medial toes, then the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value of 1;
• if no medial toes are visible and the lateral toes are clearly visible, then
• the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value 5 of 2;
• wherein
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between 0 and 4, then the rear foot posting is 0°;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between −1 and −4, then the rear foot posting is 2° valgus foot position;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between 5 and 8, then the rear foot posting is 3° varus foot position;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between −5 and −8, then the rear foot posting is 3° valgus foot position;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between 9 and 12, then the rear foot posting is 4° varus foot position;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between −9 and −12, then the rear foot posting is 4° valgus foot position.

A method of determining a j-pod position of a sole, the method including the steps of:

• determining a talar head palpation of a user's foot, wherein:
• if the position of talus head is palpable on the lateral of the foot but not on the medial side, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the talar head is felt on the lateral of the foot and only slightly palpable on the medial side of the foot, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the talar head is equally palpable on the lateral and medial side of the foot, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the talar head is slightly palpable on lateral side and palpable on medial side, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the talar head is not palpable on lateral side, but palpable on medial side, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining a supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value of the user's foot,
• wherein:
• if the curve below the malleolus is either straight or convex, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the curve below the malleolus is concave, but flatter or more than the curve above the malleolus, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of −1;
• if both the infra and supra malleolar curves are substantially equal, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the curve below the malleolus is more concave than the curve above the malleolus, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the curve below the malleolus is markedly more concave than the curve above the malleolus, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining a calcaneal frontal plane position value of the user's foot, wherein:
• if the calcaneus is more than 5° inverted, then the calcaneal frontal plane position value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the calcaneus is between vertical and 5° inverted, then the calcaneal frontal plane position value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the calcaneus is substantially vertical, then the calcaneal frontal plane position value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the calcaneus is between vertical and 5° everted, then the calcaneal frontal plane position value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the calcaneus is more than 5° everted, then the calcaneal frontal plane position value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining a prominence of the talo-navicular joint value of the user's foot, wherein:
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is markedly concave, then the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is slightly but definitely concave, then the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is significantly flat, then the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is bulging slightly, then the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is bulging markedly, then the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining a congruence of medial longitudinal arch value of the user's foot,
• wherein:
• if the arch is high and acutely angled towards the posterior end of the medial arch, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the arch is moderately high and slightly acute posteriorly, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the arch height is normal and concentrically curved, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the arch is lowered with some flattening in the central position, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the arch very low with severe flattening in the central portion and the arch makes ground contact, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining an abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value of the user's foot, by viewing the foot from behind, wherein:
• if there are no lateral toes visible and medial toes are clearly visible, then the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the medial toes are clearly more visible than the lateral toes, then the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the medial and lateral toes are equally visible, then the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the lateral toes are clearly more visible than the medial toes, then the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value of 1;
• if no medial toes are visible and the lateral toes are clearly visible, then the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value of 2;
• wherein
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between 0 and 4, then the j-pod position is neutral;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between −1 and −4, then the j-pod position extends high laterally;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between 5 and 8, then the j-pod position extends high medially;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between −5 and −8, then the j-pod position extends high laterally;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between 9 and 12, then the j-pod position extends high medially;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between −9 and −12, then the j-pod position extends high laterally.

A method of determining a functional heel raise of a sole, the method including the steps of:

• determining a talar head palpation of a user's foot, wherein:
• if the position of talus head is palpable on the lateral of the foot but not on the medial side, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the talar head is felt on the lateral of the foot and only slightly palpable on the medial side of the foot, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the talar head is equally palpable on the lateral and medial side of the foot, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the talar head is slightly palpable on lateral side and palpable on medial side, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the talar head is not palpable on lateral side, but palpable on medial side, then the talar head palpation value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining a supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value of the user's foot, wherein:
• if the curve below the malleolus is either straight or convex, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the curve below the malleolus is concave, but flatter or more than the curve above the malleolus, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of −1;
• if both the infra and supra malleolar curves are substantially equal, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the curve below the malleolus is more concave than the curve above the malleolus, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the curve below the malleolus is markedly more concave than the curve above the malleolus, then the supra and infra lateral malleoli curvature value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining a calcaneal frontal plane position value of the user's foot, wherein:
• if the calcaneus is more than 5° inverted, then the calcaneal frontal plane
• position value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the calcaneus is between vertical and 5° inverted, then the calcaneal frontal plane position value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the calcaneus is substantially vertical, then the calcaneal frontal plane position value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the calcaneus is between vertical and 5° everted, then the calcaneal frontal plane position value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the calcaneus is more than 5° everted, then the calcaneal frontal plane position value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining a prominence of the talo-navicular joint value of the user's foot, wherein:
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is markedly concave, then the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is slightly but definitely concave, then the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is significantly flat, then the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is bulging slightly, then the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the area of the talo-navicular joint is bulging markedly, then the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining a congruence of medial longitudinal arch value of the user's foot,
• wherein:
• if the arch is high and acutely angled towards the posterior end of the medial arch, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the arch is moderately high and slightly acute posteriorly, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the arch height is normal and concentrically curved, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the arch is lowered with some flattening in the central position, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of 1;
• if the arch very low with severe flattening in the central portion and the arch makes ground contact, then the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value receives a relative value of 2;
• determining an abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value of the user's foot, by viewing the foot from behind, wherein:
• if there are no lateral toes visible and medial toes are clearly visible, then the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value of −2;
• if the medial toes are clearly more visible than the lateral toes, then the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value of −1;
• if the medial and lateral toes are equally visible, then the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value of 0;
• if the lateral toes are clearly more visible than the medial toes, then the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value of 1;
• if no medial toes are visible and the lateral toes are clearly visible, then the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value receives a relative value of 2;
• wherein
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between 0 and 4, then the functional heel raise is substantially 0 mm;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between −1 and −4, then the functional heel raise is substantially 4 mm;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between 5 and 8, then the functional heel raise is substantially 4 mm;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between −5 and −8, then the functional heel raise is substantially 4 mm;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between 9 and 12, then the functional heel raise is substantially 6 mm;
• if the talar head palpation value, the infra lateral malleoli curvature value, the calcaneal frontal plane position value, the prominence of the talo-navicular joint value, the congruence of medial longitudinal arch value, and the abduction/adduction of forefoot on rearfoot value add up to between −9 and −12, then the functional heel raise is substantially 6 mm.