Prosthetic ankle

A prosthetic ankle comprising a monolithic polymeric tubular member having an upper elongated shank portion and a lower flexure joint, said flexure joint including a rearward pivot post and an entrapment kerf, the entrapment kerf allowing relatively free movement of flexure about z, y and x axes of rotation, defined respectively as axial rotation, dorsi and plantar flexion, and inversion and eversion, within precise stop limits and providing resistance to axial rotation during dorsiflexion, said kerf being defined by a generally vertical rearward portion, a generally horizontal, intermediate portion, a double convolute stop and resistance portion, and a generally horizontal forward portion, each portion extending transversely across the width of the flexure joint.

A prosthetic ankle comprising a monolithic polymeric tubular member having an upper elongated shank portion and a lower flexure joint, said flexure joint including a rearward pivot post and an entrapment kerf, the entrapment kerf allowing relatively free movement of flexure about z, y and x axes of rotation, defined respectively as axial rotation, dorsi and plantar flexion, and inversion and eversion, within precise stop limits and providing resistance to axial rotation during dorsiflexion, wherein the shank is flexible.

A prosthetic ankle providing movement under loading as a prosthetic ankle comprising a monolithic polymeric tubular member having an upper elongated shank having an axial centerline and a lower flexure joint, the flexure joint being defined by a rearward flexing post positioned rearwardly of the axial centerline of the shank, formed in the shape of an axially short column intended to take high reversing axial loads and formed by a forward kerf extending across the joint and forward, exiting from the front of the flexure joint, the shank and flexing post providing movement under loading to produce axial rotation, inversion and eversion, and dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, the forward kerf providing freedom of movement but within defined -limit stops.