Wearable orthopedic traction device for relieving shoulder pain

A brace assembly for applying traction to a shoulder of a user in a supine position, the brace assembly comprising:

• an arm brace configured to be secured to an arm of the user homolateral to the shoulder, wherein the arm includes an elbow joint, a forearm and an upper arm,
• a lower body anchor configured to be secured to a leg of the user, and
• an elastic cord having a first end secured to the arm brace at a near connection point and a second end secured to the lower body anchor at a far connection point, wherein the elastic cord is configured to apply inferior traction to the upper arm, whereby distractive force is transmitted to a shoulder joint of the shoulder,
• wherein the arm brace is configured to be positioned on the upper arm with the near connection point at or above the elbow joint, thereby allowing forearm abduction and flexion of the elbow joint while preventing abduction of the upper arm.

An orthopedic brace for an arm or leg of a user that provides support for joints or muscles, the orthopedic brace comprising:

• a semi-rigid structure, padding, and a tightening system,
• wherein the brace includes a main body portion that defines an aperture configured to receive the user's arm or leg,
• wherein the brace is used to treat conditions selected from the group consisting of fractures, ligament injuries, deformities, muscle or joint instability, contractures, or to reduce pain,
• wherein the padding comprises
• a) a compliant jacket that at least partially surrounds the main body portion and which is configured to be under increasing tensile stress when a diameter of the aperture increases and is configured to transition toward a neutral unstressed state when the diameter of the aperture decreases, or
• b) a compliant liner adjacent an inner surface of the main body portion that is under increasing compressive stress when the diameter of the aperture decreases and transitions toward a neutral unstressed state when the diameter of the aperture increases, or
• c) both the compliant jacket of a) and the compliant liner of b),
• wherein the tightening system is selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop, rack and pinion, ratchet buckle, cam lock, lace-and-pulley, over-center lever or toggle clamp, ratchet strap with lever release, cord lock and cinch system, dial tightening system and tensioning band with slide adjuster.