Device and method for improving range of motion following surgical knee repair

Abstract

A device for increasing the range of motion (ROM) of a patient's afflicted knee joint following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) comprising an apparatus for insertion onto the pedal of an existing recumbent stepper machine. The apparatus enhances the functionality of recumbent steppers by (1) increasing the ROM angle of the knee at every seat position by moving the patient's foot closer to the stepper seat and thus the patient's torso, and by (2) allowing more ankle flection and a deeper guard rail than the original pedal to help maintain heel contact with the apparatus throughout the session.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for increasing the range of motion of a patient's afflicted knee joint, comprising:
 a first end and a second end;   the first end being lower than the second end wherein an angle is formed;   the angle configured to be greater than a standard angle of the pedal of the recumbent stepper.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the angle being fifteen degrees.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rail;   the rail has a first side wall.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the rail has a second side wall.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the rail has a back wall and a bottom.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the sidewalls, the bottom and the back wall are configured to assist with placement of a foot of a user of the device.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a first attachment site;   the first attachment site on a first side of the device;   a second attachment site on a second side of the device.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a strap attachable to the first and second attachment sites;   wherein the strap is configured to attach the device to the pedal of the recumbent stepper.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the strap has a first end and a second end;   the first attachment site is attachable to the first end of the strap.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the second attachment site is attachable to the second end of the strap.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the first and second attachment sites are a first velcro surface.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first and second ends of the strap are a second velcro surface.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein;
 the device is configured to be longer than a length of the pedal of the recumbent stepper.   
     
     
         14 . A method for increasing a range of motion of a patient's knee during use of a recumbent stepper machine, comprising the steps of:
 placing a foot of the patient onto a device secured to a pedal of the recumbent stepper machine;   wherein the device elevates a heel of the patient relative to toes of the patient;   wherein the device has a back wall configured to maintain the heel of the use to a bottom of the device.