Knee joint rehabilitation assist device and method
A knee joint rehabilitation assist device and associated methods are shown. A knee joint rehabilitation assist device includes a rigid frame, a heel rest attached across one end of the frame to accommodate a heel of a user, and a knee contact attached at a distance spaced from the heel rest. Adjustability of various components and a ratcheting pressure control provide gradual controllable pressure to increase range of motion in a knee joint.
1 . A method of rehabilitating a knee joint after surgery comprising:
placing a heel rest located at a distal end of a rigid frame under a user's heel;
placing a knee contact against the user's knee, wherein the knee contact is located between the distal end and a proximal end of the rigid frame;
looping a pressure control strap around the user's leg at a location above the knee, wherein a loop of the pressure control strap presses against a lower portion of the user's leg and is open on an upper portion of the user's leg, the pressure control strap located at the proximal end of the rigid frame;
adjusting a coarse adjustment of the pressure control strap to remove slack in the pressure control strap; and
ratcheting a ratcheting adjuster on the pressure control strap to apply incremented pressure to the lower portion of the user's leg, and to flex the knee joint.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further including adjusting a length of the rigid frame to place the proximal end of the rigid frame above the knee joint.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein adjusting a length of the rigid frame includes sliding one or more telescoping joints within a range of motion, and tightening the one or more telescoping joints at a selected length.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein tightening the one or more telescoping joints at a selected length includes threading one or more collets into a locked position.