APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STABILIZING, IMPROVING MOBILITY, AND CONTROLLING CARTILAGE MATRIX DEGRADATION OF WEIGHT-BEARING ARTICULAR JOINTS

摘要

An apparatus and method for improving mobility and/or the quality of synovial fluid of an affected articular joint are disclosed, wherein the joint is associated with at least a first muscle group and at least a second muscle group each having an antagonistic relationship for effecting mobility of the joint through a range of motion when recruited by natural neural impulses. The apparatus and method include an electro-medical device configured to apply motor-level electrical stimulation in a multiphasic pattern via at least a first channel and at least a second channel, the multiphasic pattern being programmed into the electro-medical device and corresponding to the sequence of an electromyographic output for the joint; at least two first electrodes connected to the at least first channel of said electro-medical device, the at least two first electrodes being positioned proximate to the at least first muscle group; at least two second electrodes connected to the at least second channel of said electro-medical device, the at least two second electrodes being positioned proximate to the at least second muscle group; and an applicator configured to be worn on the articular segment such that the at least two first electrodes and the at least two second electrodes are disposed between the applicator and the articular segment, the applicator being further configured to reduce compressive forces on at least one compartment of the affected joint.