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An orthosis comprising a dynamic, flexible, elastic stiffener that is configured to extend across a joint. The stiffener is configured to extend across a joint in a first configuration, wherein the stiffener is preferably substantially planar, and a second configuration when a patient's muscle is un

An orthosis comprising a dynamic, flexible, elastic stiffener that is configured to extend across a joint. The stiffener is configured to extend across a joint in a first configuration, wherein the stiffener is preferably substantially planar, and a second configuration when a patient's muscle is under contraction such that the stiffener allows some joint movement but resists flexion of the joint to impede joint movement. The stiffener rebounds to its first configuration after the muscle contraction has terminated. The orthosis may be used to impede the movement of any joint, including a wrist joint and finger joints, an elbow joint, a knee joint, and an ankle joint and toe joints. Preferably, the flexible stiffener is made from a heat treated and tempered spring steel so that is has desirable dynamic and elastic properties.

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1. An orthosis for treating an uncontrollably contracted knee joint adapted to be worn on a patient's leg in the region of said patient's uncontrollably contracted knee, comprising: a stiffener formed of a flat sheet of flexible and resilient material adapted to be disposed on a posterior side of sa

1. An orthosis for treating an uncontrollably contracted knee joint adapted to be worn on a patient's leg in the region of said patient's uncontrollably contracted knee, comprising: a stiffener formed of a flat sheet of flexible and resilient material adapted to be disposed on a posterior side of said patient's knee having a position of repose that conforms to a first angle defined by said of said patient's knee when said patient's knee is not bent, said flat sheet of material having an inherent bias so that it bends from said first angle to a second angle when external force is applied and returns to said first angle when said external force is removed;a substantially tubular brace adapted to receive said patient's leg, said substantially tubular brace having an anterior extend adapted to overlie an anterior side of said patient's leg and to extend above and below said patient's knee, a posterior extent adapted to overlie said posterior side of said leg and to extend above and below said knee, a medial extent adapted to overlie a medial side of said leg and to extend above and below said knee, and a lateral extent adapted to overlie a lateral side of said leg and to extend above and below said knee, each of said extents of said substantially tubular brace having a common extent;a retainer coupled to said substantially tubular brace on said posterior extent and said retainer having an extent substantially equal to the extent of said posterior extent;said stiffener disposed within said retainer, said stiffener having an extent substantially equal to the extent of said retainer;said stiffener resisting bending of said knee from said first angle to said second angle;said stiffener bending from said first angle to said second angle when said patient's muscle is under contraction;said stiffener resisting but not preventing bending of said patient's knee when said patient's muscle is under said contraction;said stiffener returning to said first angle under said inherent bias after said contraction has terminated;said stiffener being bent at said first angle when selectively used with a patient having a knee which can be held in an unbent position so that an involuntary muscle contraction bends the knee and hence the stiffener from said first angle to said second angle, said stiffener returning to said first angle when such muscular contraction ends; andsaid stiffener having a bend formed therein when in its position of repose when selectively used with a patient having a knee that cannot be held comfortably in a straight, unbent position, said bend matching the bend in the patient's knee so that the stiffener is not displaced from its position of repose until said patient's muscles contract;said stiffener formed of tempered spring steel;said tempered spring steel having a Unified Numbering System identifier of G 10950;said tempered spring steel having a yield tensile strength of about 100 to 320 kilopounds per square inch;said stiffener having a modulus of elasticity of about 150 to 300 GPa;said stiffener having a thickness of about 0.008 to 0.07 inches;said stiffener being formed of heat treated and tempered steel including between approximately 0.9 to 1.05% carbon, and said steel having a hardness of about 45 to 60 on the Rockwell C scale;said stiffener having an upper end adapted to be positioned adjacent said upper leg and said stiffener having a lower end adapted to be positioned adjacent said lower leg;said lower end of said stiffener having an angular displacement of about 20 to 60 degrees when a force of 20 pounds is applied to said lower end of said stiffener.