Internal Unloader Brace and Method

An internal unloader brace comprising:

• an elongate bending member having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion;
• said first end portion being angled with respect to a longitudinal axis by a first predefined angle when said elongate bending member is in an unbiased configuration;
• said second end portion being angled with respect to the longitudinal axis by a second predefined angle when said elongate bending member is in an unbiased configuration;
• wherein, in a biased configuration, said first end portion is configured to be attached to a first anatomical member of an articulating, anatomical joint and said first end portion is closer to alignment with the longitudinal axis than when in said unbiased configuration;
• wherein, in said biased configuration, said second end portion is configured to be attached to a second anatomical member of an articulating, anatomical joint and said second end portion is closer to alignment with the longitudinal axis than when in said unbiased configuration;
• said intermediate portion configured to bend, under resistance, in said biased configuration;
• and
• when said first end portion is attached to the first anatomical member and said second end portion is attached to the second anatomical member, said bending member applies rotational forces to the first and second anatomical members through said first and second end portions, respectively.

An internal unloader brace comprising:

• an elongate bending member having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion;
• said elongate member configured to be attached across an articulating, anatomical joint by attachment of said first end portion to a first anatomical member of the articulating, anatomical joint and attachment of said second end portion to a second anatomical member of the anatomical joint;
• and
• wherein said intermediate portion applies rotational forces to locations of attachment of said first and second end portions to the first and second anatomical members, respectively;
• and
• wherein the rotational forces are applied transversely to a main plane in which articulation of the anatomical joint occurs.

A method for treating an articulating anatomical joint, said method comprising:

• attaching a first end portion of a biasing member to a first anatomical member of the anatomical joint;
• and
• attaching a second end portion of the biasing member to a second anatomical member of the anatomical joint;
• and
• applying rotational forces from said biasing member to the first and second anatomical members to bias a portion of the anatomical joint by biasing portions of the first and second anatomical members away from one another.