US Patent 11957611 External ankle brace

An external ankle brace, including a rigid heel enclosure having a rear portion and a forward portion, wherein the rear portion is for receiving a heel portion of a shoe, the external ankle brace is configured to restrict movement of an ankle in a first direction and permit movement of the ankle in a second direction, wherein the external ankle brace is configured to be disposed on an exterior of the shoe and the shoe having the heel portion, a sole, a toe, a top, and oppositely disposed sides, the forward portion includes a medial sidewall and a lateral sidewall for collectively surrounding the sides of the shoe, the medial and lateral sidewalls being cantilevered from the rear portion of the rigid heel enclosure.