US 2015/0173928 A1 · KNEE ORTHOSIS AND ORTHOTIC METHOD

Abstract

A knee orthosis includes a medial tracking member and an inward tracking member. The medial tracking member includes a lateral element that is configured to be positioned adjacent to a lateral side of a patella, and is configured to cause the patella to track medially. The inward tracking member is configured to extend over the patella, and to apply an inward pressure against the patella, which may increase the contact surface area between patellofemoral articular tissue and an associated femoral trochlear groove. The inward tracking member may also be configured to provide continuous compressive force against the patella throughout a full extension or flexion motion of an associated knee. Orthotic methods for addressing patellofemoral joint disorders are also disclosed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A knee orthosis, comprising:

a medial tracking member, including:
a lateral element configured to be positioned along a lateral side of a patella;
an upper element configured to be positioned above the patella, the upper element including a lateral end coupled to an upper end of the lateral element;
and
a lower element configured to be positioned below the patella, the lower element including a lateral end coupled to a lower end of the lateral element,
the lateral element, the upper element and the lower element being configured to apply a selected amount of medially oriented pressure to the patella to cause the patella to track medially;
and
an inward traction member configured to be positioned over and to apply inward pressure to the patella.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Knee orthosis and orthotic method

Life of this patent

Knee orthosis and orthotic method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20