A knee brace for assisting the extension or flexing of a limb comprises substantially rigid upper and lower frames connected by a hinge, the upper frame being secured to the leg by an upper strap. A stabilizing strap for fixing the lower frame to the user's leg comprises an inelastic band, cord or other flexible securing member for circumscribing the user's leg having a fastening element for fixing the securing member in a set position. The securing member is affixed to the arms of the lower frame, slidably extending through at least one strap support provided by at least one of the arms of the lower frame. When the brace is in position on a user's leg the stabilizing strap is able to move through at least one strap support in a generally horizontal direction while supporting the lower frame in the vertical direction.

An orthopedic device includes a hinge assembly, a frame having first and second frame components spaced apart from and connected to one another by the hinge assembly, a strap system extending between medial and lateral sides of the first frame component, and at least one tensioning element. The at least one tensioning element has a first end secured to the strap system and a second end coupled to the hinge assembly. Articulation of the hinge assembly pulls the strap system toward the frontal plane by the at least one tensioning element.

The invention disclosed herein is a protective support for joints and extremities comprising a structure for securing the support to the body in the vicinity of the joint, one or more elongated resilient hinges that are attached to the support. Each resilient hinge spans a parasagittal plane of the joint and has a superior end, an opposite inferior end, and an intermediate section there between, the hinge also defining a cross-sectional thickness that is at its minimum near the superior end and inferior end, but gradually increases along a length of the hinge such that the intermediate section defines the hinge's maximum cross-sectional thickness. Each hinge may define a plurality of longitudinal ribs and optional transverse ribs that aid in structural integrity of the hinge and may have a generally hourglass shape, and with the superior and inferior ends adapted to conform to the various superficial contours of the joint or extremity.

An orthopedic device for the orthotic or prosthetic provision of a patient. The orthopedic device includes a knee joint which has a proximal upper part and a distal lower part arranged pivotably thereon, an ankle joint, a pivoted foot part which can be fastened distally to the ankle joint, and a shin part arranged between the ankle joint and the knee joint. The upper part of the knee joint or a thigh part fastened thereto that can be attached to the patient's body and is coupled with the foot part by a force transfer device, which causes a plantar flexion of the foot part when a knee is flexed.

The invention relates to an orthopaedic device for the orthotic or prosthetic provision of a patient witha knee joint (10), which has a proximal upper part (11) and a distal lower part (13) arranged pivotably thereon, an ankle joint (20), a pivoted foot part (23) which can be fastened distally to the ankle joint (20), anda shin part (14) arranged between the ankle joint (20) and the knee joint (10), wherein the upper part (11) of the knee joint (10) or a thigh part fastened thereto that can be attached to the patient's body is coupled with the foot part (23) by means of a force transfer device (3; 30, 31, 32, 35; 40, 41, 42), which causes a plantar flexion of the foot part (23) when a knee is flexed.

Configurable orthoses having a high degree of independent adjustability of various parameters are provided. In the example of a rehabilitation-evaluation ankle-foot orthosis (REAFO), these parameters may include calf band anteroposterior, height, width, sagittal tilt, coronal tilt, and mediolateral displacement adjustments; mediolateral displacement adjustments of a supramalleolar support; heel width/stirrup separation adjustment; and sagittal active joint resistance and neutral angle adjustments. Calf band mediolateral displacement adjustment may be provided by a lockable four-bar pivoting frame linkage of the REAFO. In one aspect, the configurable orthosis is used in conjunction with a plastically deformable precursor member to facilitate the design and manufacture of a definitive orthosis customized for a particular patient. In another aspect, the orthosis communicatively transmits limb shape data to either a positive shape receiver apparatus or a CAD/CAM apparatus, to facilitate design and manufacture of a definitive orthosis.

Orthopedic devices may include rigid members for coupling to portions of a limb that includes a joint, and a cable that couples to the rigid members and extends up to a powered element. The orthopedic devices are configured to produce beneficial forces using the rigid member and the cable, which beneficial forces are translated to the wearer. The orthopedic devices include control systems that generate control signals for controlling the powered element.

A support shell assembly (1) comprises a calf part (2), a foot part (3), and a locking device (5) with a guide rail (52) and with a locking element (51). The locking element (51) is displaceable along the guide rail (52) for setting a bending angle () between calf part (2) and foot part (3). The locking device (5) also comprises a spring element (53) which applies a spring force to the locking element (51) in such a way that displacement along the guide rail (52) is made easier or more difficult. An inlay (7) for a support shell assembly comprises a first chamber (71) and a second chamber (72). By means of a first and second valve device (73, 74), a fluid can be filled into the first chamber or discharged from the second chamber to stiffen the inlay (7) in a respective area.

A joint for an orthopedic device, wherein the joint comprises a first element, at least one elastic element on a support, which is assembled on the first element, and a second element, which is pivotally assembled on the first element and can be swivelled in a direction between the first element and the second element, starting from a first angle of engagement, against a force applied by the at least one elastic element wherein the support comprises a contact element which rests against the second element upon reaching the first angle of engagement, wherein the contact element can be adjusted when the joint is assembled such that the first angle of engagement and a preload of the elastic element can be adjusted independently of one another.

An apparatus is designed to provide support and correct form in order to perform rotator cuff strengthening exercises, either for rehabilitation or prevention of injury. In an exemplary embodiment, a cuff holds a person's elbow fixed at a position substantially perpendicular to curved plate secured to and parallel to a person's vertical (i.e., longitudinal) axis at the person's torso, which helps isolate internal and external rotation of the humerus and reduce any compensatory motions that can occur when the elbow is not supported. This optimally strengthens these important shoulder movements which in turn allows athletes to improve their upper extremity strength.