Therapeutic knee exercise apparatus

Abstract

A therapeutic device adapted for facilitating recovery of joint mobility and muscle strength follow knee joint surgery in a human patient and a method for use. The therapeutic device includes an adjustable strap adapted for fitment about the midpoint of the patient's foot. A connecting strap is coupled to an edge of the adjustable strap between a pair of spaced apart swiveling connections, and a tension strap is secured about the adjustable strap and extending substantially the length of the patient's body. During use, tension maintained in the tension strap against the patient's foot facilitates knee joint flexion and provides a resistive force against knee joint extension.

1 . A therapeutic knee exercise device, comprising: 
 an strap adapted for fitment about the midpoint of the patient's foot, said strap defining an closed loop;    a connecting strap coupled between a pair of spaced points on an edge of said strap; and    a tension strap secured about said connecting strap and extending generally perpendicular to said closed loop.    
   
   
       2 . The therapeutic knee exercise device of  claim 1  wherein said strap is an adjustable strap, and wherein said strap defines an adjustable closed loop adapted for fitment about the midpoint of the patient's food.  
   
   
       3 . The therapeutic knee exercise device of  claim 1  wherein said tension strap extends at least to the patient's waist.  
   
   
       4 . The therapeutic knee exercise device of  claim 1  wherein said tension strap extends substantially the length of the patient's body.  
   
   
       5 . The therapeutic knee exercise device of  claim 1  wherein each of said pair of spaced points is a connector coupled to said strap for swiveling connection relative thereto; and 
 wherein said connecting strap is coupled between said connectors.    
   
   
       6 . The therapeutic knee exercise device of  claim 5  wherein each of said connectors is a ring connector.  
   
   
       7 . The therapeutic knee exercise device of  claim 2  wherein said adjustable strap includes a first end and a second end, said first and second ends detachable coupled together.  
   
   
       8 . The therapeutic knee exercise device of  claim 7  wherein said first and second ends are detachably coupled together with a hook and loop fastener.  
   
   
       9 . The therapeutic knee exercise device of  claim 7  wherein said first and second ends are detachably coupled together with a buckle fastener.  
   
   
       10 . The therapeutic knee exercise device of  claim 7  wherein said first and second ends are detachably coupled together with a detachable fastener.  
   
   
       11 . The therapeutic knee exercise device of  claim 1  wherein said pair of spaced points are separated by an arc of less than 180 degrees about a circumference of said strap edge.  
   
   
       12 . The therapeutic knee exercise device of  claim 1  wherein said tension strap is secured about said connecting strap for sliding movement between said pair of spaced points.  
   
   
       13 . A method for therapeutic knee exercises for a human patient utilizing a therapeutic device having an adjustable loop, a connecting strap coupled between a pair of spaced points on an edge of the adjustable loop, and a tension strap secured about the connecting strap, comprising: 
 fitting the adjustable strap about a foot of the patient, below a knee to be exercised, with the connecting strap extending towards a heel of the patient's foot;    extending the tension strap along a leg and torso of the patient; and    maintaining a tension force on said tension strap during one or more cycles of extension and flexion of said knee to be exercised.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the patient is initially disposed in a prone position on a substantially horizontal surface.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  further including the step of disposing said tension strap over a shoulder of the patient.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the patient is initially disposed in a supine position on a substantially horizontal surface.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said adjustable strap is fitted about an arch of said foot.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13  further including the step of positioning said tension strap about said connecting strap to reduce lateral force on said knee during one or more cycles of extension and flexion of said knee to be exercised.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13  further including the step of positioning said tension strap about said connecting strap to reduce twisting force on said knee during one or more cycles of extension and flexion of said knee to be exercised.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13  further including the step of positioning said tension strap about said connecting strap to reduce torque on said knee during one or more cycles of extension and flexion of said knee to be exercised.