Orthopedic appliance with moisture management system

Abstract

An orthopedic appliance such as a body brace or a prosthesis includes a substantially rigid structure adapted to be placed against a body portion. The orthopedic appliance of the invention includes a moisture management system for facilitating the removal of moisture that would otherwise accumulate between the affected body portion and the substantially rigid structure. The moisture management system includes a plurality of ventilation holes through the substantially rigid structure, and means for facilitating the transfer of moisture directly out through the ventilation holes to the atmosphere. The facilitating means can include a flexible support means disposed between the substantially rigid body portion, the support means either being porous, or the support means having a plurality of holes therethrough in alignment with the holes in the substantially rigid structure. The orthopedic device may also include a fabric liner disposed against the body portion, the fabric liner serving to wick away moisture directly through the vent holes, and also serving to provide sufficient compression to prevent window edema.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.