Orthopedic device having detachable components for treatment stages and method for using the same

1. An orthopedic device, comprising:

a frame including first and second frame portions;

a first strut assembly permanently secured to and connecting the first and second frame portions and including a hinge located between the first and second frame portions;

a second strut assembly detachably connected to the first and second frame portions, the second strut assembly having upper and lower frame components connected to one another by a hinge;

a force strap arranged to spiral between and connect to the first and second frame portions, the force strap including a first end connecting to a buckle assembly removably securing to one of the first and second frame portions;

a suspension strap connecting to opposed sides of at least one of the first and second frame portions, the suspension strap including a first end connecting to the buckle assembly;

a stability strap arranged to generally form a circumferential loop about the first and second strut assemblies;

wherein the second strut assembly detachably secures to the suspension strap and extends through at least one slot formed by at least one of the upper and lower frame portions, the force strap extends under the second strut assembly such that the second strut assembly can be added or removed with no effect of the unloading function of the force straps.

2. The orthopedic device according to claim 1 , wherein the second strut assembly includes a fastener element directly securable to the suspension strap.

3. The orthopedic device according to claim 2 , wherein the fastener element is a pin extending from at least one of the upper and lower frame components (and between first and second slots of the at least one slot of at least one of the upper and lower frame components, the suspension strap defines a plurality of holes sized and configured for receiving the pin.

4. The orthopedic device according to claim 3 , wherein the pin defines an upper flange arranged for securing to the suspension strap thereby preventing slippage of the suspension strap from one of the upper and lower frame components.

5. The orthopedic device according to claim 1 , wherein the second strut assembly includes first and second struts connected to one another by a hinge, the second strut assembly further including a support mounted at and extending from a first end of the first strut.

6. The orthopedic device according to claim 1 , wherein the suspension strap is secured at or adjacent a first end portion of the first and second strut assemblies, and the stability strap is mounted below the first end portion of the first and second strut assemblies.

7. The orthopedic device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second strut assemblies define at least one retainer arranged to maintain the stability strap in a lateral position relative to the first and second strut assemblies.

8. The orthopedic device according to claim 7 , wherein the retainer is a loop formed along at least the second strut assembly.

9. The orthopedic device according to claim 1 , wherein the suspension strap and the stability strap extend over the first and second strut assemblies.

10. The orthopedic device according to claim 1 , further comprising first and second suspension straps connecting to opposed sides of at least one of the first and second frame portions, respectively, wherein the second strut assembly defines first and second ends detachably securing to the first and second suspension straps, respectively.

11. The orthopedic device according to claim 1 , wherein the second strut assembly includes a range of motion hinge including at least one of flexion and extension stops.

12. The orthopedic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a liner sleeve extending the length of and connecting to the first and second strut assemblies.

13. The orthopedic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a liner sleeve having an attachment element securing to the suspension strap and enabling opening and closing of the liner sleeve based on connection of the suspension strap relative to the upper and lower frame portions.

14. An orthopedic device, comprising:

a frame including first and second frame portions;

a first strut assembly permanently secured to and connecting the first and second frame portions and including a hinge located between the first and second frame portions;

a second strut assembly detachably connected to the first and second frame portions, the second strut assembly having upper and lower frame components connected to one another by a hinge;

a force strap arranged to spiral between and connect to the first and second frame portions, the force strap including a first end connecting to a buckle assembly removably securing to one of the first and second frame portions;

first and second suspension straps connecting to opposed sides of at least one of the first and second frame portions, respectively, wherein the second strut assembly defines first and second ends detachably securing to the first and second suspension straps, respectively;

characterized in that the second strut assembly detachably secures to at least one of the first and second suspension straps and extends through at least one slot formed by at least one of the upper and lower frame portions, the force strap extends under the second strut assembly such that the second strut assembly can be added or removed with no effect of the unloading function of the force straps.

15. An orthopedic device, comprising:

a frame including first and second frame portions;

a first strut assembly permanently secured to and connecting the first and second frame portions and including a hinge located between the first and second frame portions;

a second strut assembly detachably connected to the first and second frame portions, the second strut assembly having upper and lower frame components connected to one another by a hinge, the second strut assembly including a range of motion hinge including at least one of flexion and extension stops;

a force strap arranged to spiral between and connect to the first and second frame portions, the force strap including a first end connecting to a buckle assembly removably securing to one of the first and second frame portions;

a suspension strap connecting to opposed sides of at least one of the first and second frame portions, the suspension strap including a first end connecting to the buckle assembly;

characterized in that the second strut assembly detachably secures to the suspension strap and extends through at least one slot formed by at least one of the upper and lower frame portions, the force strap extends under the second strut assembly such that the second strut assembly can be added or removed with no effect of the unloading function of the force straps.

16. An orthopedic device, comprising:

a frame including first and second frame portions;

a first strut assembly permanently secured to and connecting the first and second frame portions and including a hinge located between the first and second frame portions;

a second strut assembly detachably connected to the first and second frame portions, the second strut assembly having upper and lower frame components connected to one another by a hinge;

a force strap arranged to spiral between and connect to the first and second frame portions, the force strap including a first end connecting to a buckle assembly removably securing to one of the first and second frame portions;

a suspension strap connecting to opposed sides of at least one of the first and second frame portions, the suspension strap including a first end connecting to the buckle assembly;

characterized in that the second strut assembly detachably secures to the suspension strap and extends through at least one slot formed by at least one of the upper and lower frame portions, the force strap extends under the second strut assembly such that the second strut assembly can be added or removed with no effect of the unloading function of the force straps;

further comprising a liner sleeve extending the length of and connecting to the first and second strut assemblies.