DynaPro® Flex Knee

Clinical Overview & Therapeutic Principles

Orthotic therapy for mild to moderate (< 90 degrees) adaptive tissue shortening contracture of the knee. The flexible uprights will “give” with an involuntary episode of tone. Excellent for treating knee contractures for patients with spasticity. The knee should demonstrate good end feel to passive stretch and significant gains in ROM should be anticipated. Effective treatment to full joint knee extension and for prophylactic maintenance of full ROM as needed. The DynaPro® Flex Knee single setting hinges should beset at 15 degrees of greater extension than comfortable end range passive stretch (i.e., with knee contracture of 45 degrees, both uprights are set at -30 degrees). When applied, the brace will “flex” in to the shortened tissue applying a neuro-inhibiting extension stretch. The unique flexible properties of the knee orthotic device will facilitate muscle inhibition to predispose the affected joint(s) to the benefits of Low Load Prolonged Stretch (LLPS) provided by the orthotic. By increasing wearing time to three to six hours per use, the Total End Range Time (TERT) of device wear allows the Muscle Spindle to re-set at a greater resting length, providing long effects stretch and permanent increases in joint range of motion over time. The device should be modified by resetting the hinges as needed into greater extension every 6 to 8 weeks to continue contracture reversal. Orthotic treatment should be continued until function is restored to the affected joint.