Removable ankle brace

A removable ankle brace for stabilizing the ankle of patient comprising:

• a rigid shoe having a planar upper surface for engaging the sole of the patient's foot, side walls extending perpendicularly to the upper surface and downwardly therefrom, and an outer sole comprising the lowermost surface of the shoe;
• the outer sole of the shoe having a fulcrum, a planar first portion extending rearwardly from the fulcrum to the heel of the shoe and a second portion comprising a continuous curve extending from the fulcrum upwardly and forwardly to the toe of the shoe;
• means for locating the foot of the patient on the planar upper surface of the shoe with the metatarsal point of the foot positioned forward of the fulcrum so that the shoe normally sets on the planar first portion of the outer sole and pivots about the fulcrum onto the curved second portion as the weight of the patient shifts forward of the metatarsal point of the foot;
• left and right side members positioned on opposite sides of the shoe and each including a thermoplastic side piece and a metal ankle stay;
• the metal ankle stay of each side member engaging the adjacent side wall of the shoe and extending upwardly therefrom beyond the ankle of the patient;
• the thermoplastic side piece of each side member surrounding the metal ankle stay thereof on the front, on the outside, and on the rear and extending upwardly from the shoe in contact with the metal ankle stay;
• means securing the metal ankle stay of each side member to the side piece thereof;
• a plurality of fasteners extending through the metal ankle stay and the thermoplastic side piece of each side member and into the adjacent side wall of the shoe for rigidly securing the side members to the shoe;
• the metal ankle stay and the thermoplastic side piece of each side member comprising a first portion secured to the side wall of the shoe, a second portion extending from the upper end of the first portion angularly upwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and a third portion extending upwardly from the upper end of the second portion substantially parallel to the first portion;
• the metal ankle stay of each side member terminating at the upper end of the third portion thereof;
• the thermoplastic side piece of each side member further including a fourth portion extending from the end of the third portion angularly upwardly and inwardly with respect thereto and a fifth portion extending upwardly from the upper end of the fourth portion generally parallel to the first and third portions;
• the fifth portion of each side piece being positioned over the first portion thereof and being curved inwardly to conform to the calf of the patient;
• each side member further including a layer of foam padding secured to the inside surface thereof and extending upwardly along the inner surfaces of the second and third portions of the metal ankle stay and the thermoplastic ankle piece;
• and
• fastening means for securing the shoe and the side members to the foot and the calf of the patient, respectively.