Ankle support with elastic panel

Abstract

The disclosed invention is an improved semi-rigid, ankle support generally conforming to the instep, ankle, and lower leg, and wearable inside a shoe, said support being comprised of one or more non-elastic panels and one or more elastic panels extending at least part of the length of said support, whereby the ankle is largely supported and immobilized, yet the support conforms to the foot, ankle, and lower leg and does not significantly reduce ankle function. Preferably, the support is comprised of a largely sock-shaped unit closable at the front, defining apertures through which the heel and the toes extend, and sometimes including stays to improve the support given the ankle. This unit is formed of panels of non-elastic material and at least one panel of elastic material, preferably three such elastic panels. One elastic panel is usually located on each side of the unit and extends substantially the length of the entire unit, and one elastic panel is located in the center back of the unit and extends the length thereof. The side elastic panels are preferably comprised of sequentially overlapping sections of elastic material, each section aligned so that the direction of elastic stretch is generally normal to the axis of the leg or foot adjacent the section, and the back elastic panel is preferably comprised of one double-thick section of elastic material similarly aligned.