Hinge assembly for an orthopedic knee brace and knee brace incorporating the hinge assembly

摘要

A hinge assembly (18) is provided for an orthopaedic knee brace (10). The knee brace includes upper and lower support arms (24, 30). The hinge assembly includes a hinge plate (62) and first and second gear members (56, 58) pivotally connected to the hinge plate. The first gear member (56) is coupled for rotation with the upper support arm (24) and has an articulation surface (76) adjacent a surface of the upper support arm (24). The second gear member (58) is coupled for rotation with the lower support arm (30) and has an articulation surface (76) adjacent a surface of the lower support arm. The hinge assembly allows medial/lateral articulation of the upper and lower support arms in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane of rotation of the first and second gear members.