A walking assist device includes a pair of link members rotatably connected to each other at an output shaft situated at a location corresponding to a knee of a user, one link member being fixed to a thigh side of the user, and another link member being fixed to a lower leg side of the user, a rotary damper that generates a resistance force that is conveyed to the output shaft and that acts against rotation of the link members around the output shaft, a one-way gear that limits the resistance force generated by the rotary damper to one of directions of the rotation of the link members around the output shaft, and a clutch that switches between conveyance and non-conveyance of the resistance force from the rotary damper.

A garment for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body may include a tubular flexible element and a tension strap. The tubular flexible element may be disposed around at least some portion of a human body and include flexible and a touch fastener portions. The flexible portion may be at an exterior of the tubular flexible element and cover a first portion of the body. The touch fastener portion may be at the exterior of the tubular flexible element and cover a second portion of the body. The tension strap may include first and second ends, where the first end includes a first touch fastener to be coupled with the touch fastener portion at a first location, and the second end includes a second touch fastener to be coupled with the touch fastener portion at a second location, thereby applying tension between the first and second locations.

In combination with a knee brace, the variable radius spring assembly of the present invention provides a full range knee orthotic with support to the leg muscles without compromising the range of motion and the patient's normal walk/gate. The assembly comprises upper and lower hinge pieces attached to upper and lower sections of the brace, a spring bracket, and an elongated spring element that extends downward from the upper hinge piece past a catch on the lower hinge piece. Two such assemblies are attached to a knee brace, one on the inner side and one on the outer side. As the lower leg, and the lower hinge piece, move rearward, the catch forces the spring element rearward and slides downward along the spring element. Consequently, the spring element has a non-linear response requiring approximately the same about of force to deflect the spring element throughout its range of rearward travel.

A versatile orthopedic device is arranged to convert between ligament and osteoarthritis treatment, and to accommodate a variety of leg anatomies. The orthopedic device is preferably configured as a double-upright brace indicating struts, frame component sections and associated hinges preferably intended to be along both medial and lateral sides of a wearer's leg. A strap kit with an unloading strap system may be added to the orthopedic device for conversion into an orthopedic device for osteoarthritis relief.

In combination with a knee brace, the variable radius spring assembly of the present invention provides a full range knee orthotic with support to the leg muscles without compromising the range of motion and the patient's normal walk/gate. The assembly comprises upper and lower hinge pieces attached to upper and lower sections of the brace, a spring bracket, and an elongated spring element that extends downward from the upper hinge piece past a catch on the lower hinge piece. Two such assemblies are attached to a knee brace, one on the inner side and one on the outer side. As the lower leg, and the lower hinge piece, move rearward, the catch forces the spring element rearward and slides downward along the spring element. Consequently, the spring element has a non-linear response requiring approximately the same about of force to deflect the spring element throughout its range of rearward travel.

A leg brace isolates a lower extremity of a leg to which the brace is secured. The leg brace includes an upper leg cuff and a lower leg cuff. Two upper struts are attached to opposite sides of the upper leg cuff and extend along the upper leg cuff. Two lower struts are attached to opposite sides of the lower leg cuff and extend along the lower leg cuff. One hinge pivotally connects one upper strut and one lower strut and a second hinge pivotally connects the other upper strut and the other lower strut. The hinges can be configured to have a limited and/or selectable degree of rotation (e.g., flexion and/or extension). Bottom ends of the lower struts extend beyond a user's foot of the leg to which the leg brace is attached. A foot is attached to each bottom end of the lower struts.

An orthopedic device includes a frame, a strap system including first and second straps connecting to the frame, and an adjustment mechanism couples to the first and second straps and simultaneously regulates tension in the first and second straps by moving the first and second straps relative to the frame. The strap system includes a length adjustment system for modifying the length of the strap.

The present invention provides an elbow brace which is composed of a flexible sleeve and a rigid framed brace. An elastic tubular shaped fabric sleeve is first placed over the elbow joint and has upper front and lower rear raised lips that are used to prevent the rigid and compact framed brace from slipping downwards during usage, the tight fit of the rigid brace inside the raised lip gaps of the sleeve prevents the framed brace from slipping down from the elbow joint during usage. This brace is compact in size to provide everyday comfort and reliable protection in both contact and non-contact sports.

An orthotic device comprising a plurality of posterior dynamic struts and a posterior multiple strut engager, wherein the plurality of posterior dynamic struts comprises a first posterior dynamic strut and one or more additional posterior dynamic struts, and wherein the posterior multiple strut engager is affixed to the first posterior dynamic strut and is adapted to restrain the movement of said one or more additional posterior dynamic struts, and wherein the posterior multiple strut engager may be adjusted to engage said one or more additional posterior dynamic struts in combination with the first posterior dynamic strut, thereby forming a single posterior dynamic strut assembly of greater rigidity than the first posterior dynamic strut alone.

A hinge for an orthopedic device includes an upper hinge component having a bottom peripheral surface defined by a first geometrical configuration, and a lower hinge component having a top peripheral surface defined by a second geometrical configuration. An outer plate pivotally connects at first location points to the upper and lower hinge components, and a rear component pivotally connects at second location points to the upper and lower hinge components. The hinge has a rotation stop defining a third geometrical configuration defining a top portion corresponding in shape to at least a portion of the bottom peripheral surface and is arranged to directly abut the portion of the bottom peripheral surface. The rotation stop also defines a bottom portion corresponding in shape to at least a portion of the top peripheral surface and is arranged to directly abut the portion of the top peripheral surface.