Orthopedic device

Abstract

An orthopedic device, includes a wrap; an articulating frame; and, a plurality of straps attached to the wrap. The articulating frame is housed within the wrap and includes a thigh portion, a calf portion, and a center hinge. The thigh portion includes a semi-flexible curved thigh cuff configured to wrap anterior to the leg. The calf portion includes a semi-flexible curved calf cuff configured to wrap posterior to the leg. The center hinge connects the thigh portion and the calf portion. The orthopedic device combines the attributes of the rigid style single upright brace with a soft wrap that enhances ease of use and compliance. The anterior curved thigh cuff and the posterior curved calf cuff provide enhanced stability as the wrap concomitantly provides comfort.

1 . An orthopedic device, comprising:
 a) a wrap;   b) an articulating frame housed within said wrap, comprising:
 i. a thigh portion including a semi-flexible curved thigh cuff configured to wrap anterior to the leg; 
 ii. a calf portion including a semi-flexible curved calf cuff configured to wrap posterior to the leg; and, 
 iii. a center hinge connecting said thigh portion and said calf portion; 
   c) a plurality of straps attached to said wrap.   
     
     
         2 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein said wrap comprises a main panel that secures to itself to create a closed sleeve around the leg of a user, wherein said main panel comprises:
 a) a large panel;   b) a small panel secured adjacent to said large panel, wherein said small panel includes an upper finger pocket at a thigh end thereof and a lower finger pocket at a calf end thereof.   
     
     
         3 . The orthopedic device of  claim 2 , wherein said large panel comprises a popliteal elastic panel in the proximity of the center hinge to minimize bunching during flexion. 
     
     
         4 . The orthopedic device of  claim 2 , wherein said large panel comprises a popliteal elastic panel in the proximity of the center hinge to minimize bunching during flexion, said popliteal elastic panel having a first side closest to the center hinge and a second side furthest from the center hinge, said second side being wider than the first side. 
     
     
         5 . The orthopedic device of  claim 2 , further comprising a thigh fastening patch and a calf fastening patch, each attached to said large panel. 
     
     
         6 . The orthopedic device of  claim 2 , wherein said large panel contains an anterior thigh pocket and a posterior calf pocket, and wherein said plurality of straps includes a thigh strap and a calf strap, the orthopedic device further comprising:
 a thigh belt loop attached to said anterior thigh pocket; and,   a calf belt loop attached to said posterior calf pocket.   
     
     
         7 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of straps includes a thigh strap having a thigh strap pushbutton clip at a thigh strap clip engagement end thereof; and, wherein said thigh cuff includes a thigh strap pushbutton receptacle at an end thereof with a protective raised rim, wherein said thigh strap pushbutton clip is concave. 
     
     
         8 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of straps include a calf strap having a calf strap pushbutton clip at an end thereof; and, wherein said calf cuff includes a pivotal calf strap pushbutton receptacle at an end thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of straps include a calf strap having a calf strap pushbutton clip at a calf strap clip engagement end thereof; and, wherein said calf cuff includes a calf strap pushbutton receptacle at an end thereof with a protective raised rim, wherein said calf strap pushbutton clip is concave. 
     
     
         10 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein said thigh portion includes an upright thigh bar having a upright thigh bar first end and a upright thigh bar second end, said upright thigh bar first end being connected to said center hinge, wherein said semi-flexible curved thigh cuff extends from said upright thigh bar second end. 
     
     
         11 . The orthopedic device of  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of straps include a thigh strap including a thigh strap anchor end securely attached to said wrap; and, wherein said upright thigh bar includes upright thigh bar hook material for engagement with thigh loop material on the thigh strap anchor end. 
     
     
         12 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , 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, wherein said semi-flexible curved calf cuff extends from said upright calf bar second end. 
     
     
         13 . The orthopedic device of  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of straps include a calf strap including a calf strap anchor end securely attached to said wrap; and, wherein said upright calf bar includes upright calf bar hook material for engagement with calf loop material on the calf strap anchor end. 
     
     
         14 . The orthopedic device of  claim 1 , wherein said center hinge includes a Q-angle adjuster configured to adjust the Q-angle of the articulating frame. 
     
     
         15 . A method for donning an orthopedic device, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing an orthopedic device, comprising:
 i. a wrap; 
 ii. an articulating frame housed within said wrap, comprising:
 a. a thigh portion including a semi-flexible curved thigh cuff configured to wrap anterior to the leg; 
 b. a calf portion including a semi-flexible curved calf cuff configured to wrap posterior to the leg; and, 
 c. a center hinge connecting said thigh portion and said calf portion; 
 
 iii. a plurality of straps attached to said wrap; 
   b) placing the orthopedic device around the leg of a user;   c) wrapping a thigh strap of said plurality of straps initially posteriorly around the hamstring continuing anteriorly over the thigh, and then attaching said thigh strap to a thigh strap receptable on the thigh cuff; and,   d) wrapping a calf strap of said plurality of straps initially posteriorly around the calf continuing anteriorly over the tibia, and then attaching said calf strap to a calf strap receptable on the frame.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said wrap comprises a main panel that secures to itself to create a closed sleeve around the leg of a user, wherein said main panel comprises
 a large panel and a small panel secured adjacent to said large panel, wherein said small panel includes an upper finger pocket at a thigh end thereof and a lower finger pocket at a calf end thereof, the method further comprising the steps of:   a) inserting a user's fingers from one hand into the upper finger pocket and pulling one end of the wrap around the leg and grasping the other end of the wrap with the user's alternate hand to fasten another end of the wrap; and,   b) inserting a user's fingers from one hand into the lower finger pocket and pulling one end of the wrap around the leg and grasping the other end of the wrap with the user's alternate hand to fasten another end of the wrap.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said step of attaching said thigh strap comprises utilizing a thigh strap pushbutton clip; and wherein said step of attaching said calf strap comprises utilizing a calf strap pushbutton clip.