Knee rehabilitation device

Abstract

A rehabilitation device that has a foot support with a width that substantially covers the arch of a patient's foot. The foot support has a closure system that allows the support to snugly receive and support the foot. The device has at least one strap detachably attached to the foot support, the strap comprising a fastener to allow a loop to be formed in the length of the strap. The device is operated by pulling the foot toward the knee to increase range of motion after knee injury.

1 . A knee rehabilitation device, comprising: 
 a foot support with a width that substantially covers the arch of a patient's foot, the foot support comprising a foot support closure that allows the support to adjustably and snugly receive and support the foot; and    at least one strap detachably attached to the foot support, the strap comprising a fastener to allow a loop to be formed in the length of the strap.    
   
   
       2 . The knee rehabilitation device of  claim 1 , wherein the foot support is comprised of machine-washable materials.  
   
   
       3 . The knee rehabilitation device of  claim 1 , wherein the foot support has an inside surface that includes a soft material to provide comfort to the patient's foot, and an outer surface comprising a durable material to impart strength and durability to the foot support.  
   
   
       4 . The knee rehabilitation device of  claim 3 , wherein the inner surface comprises fleece or a fleece material, and the outer surface comprises leather or a leather material.  
   
   
       5 . The knee rehabilitation device of  claim 1 , wherein the foot support closure is a strip of hook and loop fastening material.  
   
   
       6 . The knee rehabilitation device of  claim 1 , wherein the foot support is adjustable to snugly receive feet of various sizes and shapes by hook and loop fastening material attached to the surface of the support.  
   
   
       7 . The knee rehabilitation device of  claim 1 , wherein the strap is adjustable in length.  
   
   
       8 . The knee rehabilitation device of  claim 1 , wherein the strap is detachably attached to the support by a fastener or buckle.  
   
   
       9 . The knee rehabilitation device of  claim 8 , wherein the fastener is a plastic quick-release-style fastener.  
   
   
       10 . The knee rehabilitation device of  claim 1 , wherein two straps are detachably attached to the foot support, and the straps comprise fasteners to allow for the formation of loops in the ends of the straps, and allow the two straps to be joined as a single loop.  
   
   
       11 . The knee rehabilitation device of  claim 10 , wherein the strap fasteners are snaps.  
   
   
       12 . The knee rehabilitation of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a thread material, and the loop is sewn into the end of the strap.  
   
   
       13 . A medical device for knee flexing and rehabilitation, comprising: 
 an adjustable cradle to snugly engage and support the arch of a user's foot;    first elongate handle that terminates with a loop to be gripped by a user's hand;    a second elongate handle that terminates in a loop to be gripped by a user's hand;    wherein the first and second handles, when pulled by the hands of the user, bend the knee into a more flexed position.    
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second handles comprise loop-forming fasteners that can cause a loop to be formed at the end of the handle, and can cause both handles to join together, forming a gripping loop.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second handles are removably attached to the cradle.  
   
   
       16 . A method of performing knee rehabilitation, comprising: 
 providing a size-wise adjustable foot support that substantially engages the arch of a patient's foot, and at least one elongate strap detachably attached to the foot support, the strap comprising a loop to allow a user to firmly grip the strap;    snugly securing the support around the users foot by hook and loop attachment;    pulling the strap in a manner that causes the foot to move toward the user's body; causing the knee to flex.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the support comprises a second strap to allow a user to use both hands when; and    the step of pulling the foot toward the user's body.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the support comprises a second strap, and the second strap can be compatibly attached to the first strap, forming a larger loop with which the user can pull the foot toward the user's body.