Abstract: A reversible orthosis includes dynamic tensioning elements, recreating and/or improving on the load sharing typically provided by soft tissue, such as ligaments, tendons, muscle and a capsule at a joint of a patient or wearer, thereby providing support and preventing further injury from joint instability and/or joint laxity. The reversible orthosis can support a glenohumeral joint of the shoulder brace and can prevent additional injury from various shoulder instabilities, for example, anterior, inferior, posterior and/or multidirectional instabilities. This can be accomplished by dynamically tensioning posterior, anterior and/or hammock straps of the orthosis. The straps can be primarily adjustable only in tension forces stored there within, rather in orientation relative to the shoulder. This can simplify setup and use, and can ensure the orthosis has a low profile. Related methods of use also are provided.

Abstract: An assessment method for identifying tissue conditions and injuries includes supplying an excitation signal via a plurality of source electrodes into a plurality of anatomical segments of a patient and detecting characteristic signals resulting from a first impedance of a first segment. The first impedance is compared to baseline impedance or a bilateral impedance of a symmetric portion of the patient. Based on the comparison, a tissue condition may be assessed that may correspond to an injury or a response to overloading.

Abstract: A reversible orthosis includes dynamic tensioning elements, recreating and/or improving on the load sharing typically provided by soft tissue, such as ligaments, tendons, muscle and a capsule at a joint of a patient or wearer, thereby providing support and preventing further injury from joint instability and/or joint laxity. The reversible orthosis can support a glenohumeral joint of the shoulder brace and can prevent additional injury from various shoulder instabilities, for example, anterior, inferior, posterior and/or multidirectional instabilities. This can be accomplished by dynamically tensioning posterior, anterior and/or hammock straps of the orthosis. The straps can be primarily adjustable only in tension forces stored there within, rather in orientation relative to the shoulder. This can simplify setup and use, and can ensure the orthosis has a low profile. Related methods of use also are provided.