Orthotic brace

Abstract

A brace for supporting a biomechanical joint includes first and second surface regions disposed relatively distal to the joint on a first side of a limb and a third surface region disposed substantially adjacent to the joint on a second side of the limb so that by applying forces between the surface regions, portion of the joint is cantilevered and pressure is relieved from a cartilage surface region within the joint.

1 . A joint brace comprising:
 a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being pivotally coupled to said second portion about an axis of rotation, said first portion including an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner and outer surfaces being disposed in spaced relation to one another, said inner surface including first and second surface regions, said first surface region being disposed relatively proximate to said axis of rotation and said second surface region being disposed relatively distal to said axis of rotation, said inner surface being disposed substantially monotonically closer to said outer surface as measured over a range from said first surface region to said second surface region.