Knee-stretching Device and Treatment Methods

Abstract

A knee-stretching device and methods of increasing knee range of motion in extension are disclosed. The knee-stretching device allows a patient to self-stretch and acts as a first class lever, applying force supplied by the patient's arms to the knee through the distal portion of the leg. The knee-stretching device can apply traction, varus, and valgus forces in addition knee extension force. Disclosed treatment methods include the use of the knee-stretching device before surgical intervention.

1 . A knee-stretching device, comprising:
 an elongate lever portion having a first end and a second end;   a fulcrum portion pivotally connected to the lever portion intermediate the first and second ends, the fulcrum portion having
 an upper end connected to the lever portion through a lever pivot, and 
 a lower end adapted to rest on a leg; 
   a harness connected to the lever portion proximate to the second end; and   an out-of-plane pivot connecting portions of the knee-stretching device, the out-of-plane pivot allowing at least a part of the lever portion to transmit force in a plane other than a knee flexion-extension plane of motion, such that the knee-stretching device is adapted to transmit forces to the distal portion of the leg in the knee flexion-extension plane of motion and in other planes of motion.   
   
   
       2 . The knee-stretching device of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the lever portion is adapted to receive the application of manual force and thereby to move in a first direction, thus causing the second end of the lever portion to move in a second, opposite direction. 
   
   
       3 . The knee-stretching device of  claim 2 , wherein the harness is adapted to hold and apply force to a distal portion of the leg while the lower end of the fulcrum portion rests on a more proximal portion of the leg. 
   
   
       4 . The knee-stretching device of  claim 3 , further comprising an eyebolt connecting the harness and the lever portion. 
   
   
       5 . The knee-stretching device of  claim 4 , wherein the second end of the lever portion is upwardly angled. 
   
   
       6 . The knee-stretching device of  claim 5 , wherein the first end of the lever portion is upwardly angled. 
   
   
       7 . The knee-stretching device of  claim 6 , wherein the eyebolt is connected to an upper surface of the lever portion proximate to the second end. 
   
   
       8 . The knee-stretching device of  claim 1 , the lever portion further comprising:
 an elongate, tubular first part that includes the first end of the lever portion;   an adapter part mounted within the first part; and   an elongate, tubular moveable part that includes the second end of the lever portion mounted for sliding movement along the adapter part;   wherein movement of the moveable part along the adapter part alters the overall operational length of the lever portion.   
   
   
       9 . The knee-stretching device of  claim 8 , further comprising a clamp mechanism mounted on the moveable part, the clamp mechanism being adapted to fix the length of the lever portion. 
   
   
       10 . The knee-stretching device of  claim 9 , wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a ring with an adjustable diameter. 
   
   
       11 . The knee-stretching device of  claim 1 , wherein the out-of-plane pivot comprises a pivot between the upper and lower ends of the fulcrum portion. 
   
   
       12 . The knee-stretching device of  claim 1 , wherein the lever portion is adjustable in overall length. 
   
   
       13 . A method of increasing knee strength, function or range of motion in a patient, comprising:
 causing the patient to simultaneously apply a knee extension force and one or more forces selected from the group consisting of a traction force on the knee, a varus force on the knee, and a valgus force on the knee using a first class lever device positioned to accept force from the arms of the patient and transmit that force to the patient's knee through a distal portion of the patient's leg.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the patient is in need of a total knee arthroplasty and the method is performed prior to surgery. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the patient is in need of surgery and the method is performed prior to surgery. 
   
   
       16 . A knee-stretching device, comprising:
 lever means for accepting a manual force and transmitting that force to a knee through a distal portion of a lower extremity;   harness means coupled to the lever means for holding the distal portion of the lower extremity;   fulcrum means pivotally connected to the lever means for allowing the lever means to pivot in a first plane of motion while the fulcrum means remains fixed in position; and   out-of-plane pivot means for allowing the lever means to transmit force in the first plane of motion and in planes of motion other than the first plane of motion.