US Patent 7429254 Articulated ankle foot brace having a malleolar window

An ankle foot brace having a heel stirrup, a lower lateral and medial uprights, and an upper lateral and medial uprights hinged to the respective lower uprights. A malleolar window, preferably with a membrane extending thereupon, creates a hammock like support for the malleolus. The hinge point on the side having the malleolar window is moved upwards and preferably back from the apex of the malleolus. Doing so allows the application of tolerable corrective forces at this location to help prevent undesired movement of the malleolus. If a membrane is not employed, the window allows application of corrective forces in the vicinity of the malleolus without causing pain thereto.