Orthopedic device with multiple q-angle adjustment

An orthopedic device, comprising:

• a) an articulating frame, comprising:
• i. a thigh portion including a semi-flexible curved thigh cuff having an upper end configured to wrap anterior to a leg and a lower end;
• ii. a calf portion including a semi-flexible curved calf cuff having a lower end configured to wrap posterior to the leg and an upper end;
• and,
• iii. a center hinge assembly connecting said thigh portion and said calf portion wherein said center hinge assembly, comprises:
• a. a center hinge element;
• b. a first Q-angle adjuster positioned between said center hinge element and said thigh portion configured to adjust a Q-angle of the thigh portion of the articulating frame;
• and,
• c. a second Q-angle adjuster positioned between said center hinge element and said calf portion configured to adjust a Q-angle of the calf portion of the articulating frame;
• and,
• b) a plurality of straps attachable to said articulating frame;
• wherein said thigh portion includes an upright thigh bar having an upright thigh bar first end and an upright thigh bar second end, said upright thigh bar first end being connected to said center hinge assembly, said upright thigh bar second end fitting into a thigh pocket formed in said thigh cuff;
• and,
• wherein said calf portion includes an upright calf bar having an upright calf bar first end and an upright calf bar second end, said upright calf bar first end being connected to said center hinge assembly, said upright calf bar second end fitting into a calf pocket formed in said calf cuff;
• and wherein
• i. said thigh portion includes an upright thigh bar having an upright thigh bar first end and a stepped upright thigh bar second end, said upright thigh bar first end being connected to said center hinge assembly, said upright thigh bar second end fitting into a thigh pocket formed in said thigh cuff;
• and,
• ii. said calf portion includes an upright calf bar having an upright calf bar first end and an upright calf bar second end, said upright calf bar first end being connected to said center hinge assembly, said upright calf bar second end fitting into a calf pocket formed in said calf cuff.

A supplemental orthopedic support wrap used in conjunction with an orthopedic brace, comprising:

• i. a substrate, comprising:
• i. an elastic layer;
• and,
• ii. a loop material layer bonded to one side of said elastic layer;
• iii. a target area located on said loop material layer for defining a placement position for a thigh portion of an articulating frame of an orthopedic brace;
• ii. at least one relocatable stay comprising one side having hook material for engagement with the loop material layer, said at least one relocatable stay comprising at least one strap engagement loop for engaging a thigh strap of the orthopedic brace;
• and,
• iii. a support wrap tab secured to one end of said substrate, having hook material on one side thereof for engagement with the loop material layer,
• wherein during use the support wrap is positioned between a user's thigh and the orthopedic brace to contain excessive soft tissue during application of the orthopedic brace minimizing skin impingement.

A tibia cuff extension used in conjunction with an orthopedic brace, comprising:

• i. a tibia cuff liner, comprising:
• i. an attachment portion attachable to the inside of a calf cuff of an orthopedic brace;
• ii. an upper calf strap portion extending from the attachment portion;
• iii. a lower calf strap portion extending from the attachment portion;
• ii. a thermoformable shell attached to said attachment portion and to said lower calf strap portion;
• and,
• iii. a fastening strip secured to said thermoformable shell,
• wherein during use a user attaches the tibia cuff extension to the inside of the calf cuff, applies heat to the thermoformable shell, and presses the lower calf strap portion against the tibia forming it over the tibia crest to enhance rotational control of the orthopedic brace.

A method for donning an orthopedic device, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an orthopedic device, comprising:
• i. an articulating frame, comprising:
• a. a thigh portion including a semi-flexible curved thigh cuff having an upper end configured to wrap anterior to a leg and a lower end;
• b. a calf portion including a semi-flexible curved calf cuff having a lower end configured to wrap posterior to the leg and an upper end;
• and,
• c. a center hinge assembly connecting said thigh portion and said calf portion wherein said center hinge assembly, comprises:
• i. a center hinge element;
• ii. a first Q-angle adjuster positioned between said center hinge element and said thigh portion configured to adjust the Q-angle of the thigh portion of the articulating frame;
• and,
• iii. a second Q-angle adjuster positioned between said center hinge element and said calf portion configured to adjust the Q-angle of the calf portion of the articulating frame;
• and,
• ii. a plurality of straps attached to said articulating frame;
• b) pressing the orthopedic device against the leg of a user;
• c) adjusting the first Q-angle adjuster and said second Q-angle adjuster to fit a contour of the leg;
• and,
• d) wrapping said plurality of straps around the leg, attaching free ends of the straps to the articulating frame, and adjusting the tension of the straps as desired;
• wherein said thigh portion includes an upright thigh bar having an upright thigh bar first end and an upright thigh bar second end, said upright thigh bar first end being connected to said center hinge assembly, said upright thigh bar second end fitting into a thigh pocket formed in said thigh cuff;
• and,
• wherein said calf portion includes an upright calf bar having an upright calf bar first end and an upright calf bar second end, said upright calf bar first end being connected to said center hinge assembly, said upright calf bar second end fitting into a calf pocket formed in said calf cuff;
• and wherein
• i. said upper end of said semi-flexible curved thigh cuff comprises an upper thigh slot and an upper thigh attachment element;
• ii. said lower end of said semi-flexible curved thigh cuff comprises a lower thigh slot and a lower thigh attachment element;
• iii. said upper end of said semi-flexible curved calf cuff comprises an upper calf slot and an upper calf attachment element;
• iv. said lower end of said semi-flexible curved calf cuff comprises a lower calf slot and a lower calf attachment element;
• and,
• wherein said plurality of straps includes:
• a. a first thigh strap including:
• a first thigh strap anchor end securely attachable to said upper thigh slot;
• and, a first thigh strap adjustment end securely attachable to said upper thigh attachment element;
• b. a second thigh strap including:
• a second thigh strap anchor end securely attachable to said lower thigh slot;
• and, a second thigh strap adjustment end securely attachable to said lower thigh attachment element;
• c. a first calf strap including:
• a first calf strap anchor end securely attachable to said upper calf slot;
• and, a first calf strap adjustment end securely attachable to said upper calf attachment element;
• d. a second calf strap including:
• a second calf strap anchor end securely attachable to said lower calf slot;
• and, a second calf strap adjustment end securely attachable to said lower calf attachment element.