Orthopedic joint and method for treating a contracture

An orthopedic device for treating a patient who is unable to flex and extend a jointed limb through its normal range of movement about the patient's joint, comprising:

• first and second sidearms;
• a journal having one end projecting from said first sidearm;
• a clutch housing mounted to said second sidearm;
• a cylindrical clutch disposed within said clutch housing and having concentric inner and outer races, said outer race being fixed to said journal housing, said inner race being rotatable in a single direction relative to said outer race and defining a concentric cylindrical aperture, wherein said journal is disposed in said cylindrical aperture for free rotation therein, and wherein said inner race includes at least one notch;
• a flange attached to said projecting end of said journal, said flange having a width greater than said cylindrical aperture to maintain said journal within said circular aperture, wherein at least a portion of said flange is adjacent to said inner race;
• and
• at least one pin depending from said flange portion for selective engagement with said notch in said inner race, wherein said engagement couples said journal via said flange to said inner race to prevent relative rotational movement between said journal and said inner race so that first and second sidearms are moveable relative to each other in only a single direction.