Abstract: A soft body brace which may be used for providing support for non-structural deformities caused by muscle imbalance and weakness comprises an outer layer of soft compressible plastic material and an inner layer of soft compressible plastic material, the inner layer being bonded to the outer layer of soft compressible plastic material. The inner and outer layers together define a shell sized and configured to circumscribe the truck of a person and having a top edge and a bottom edge, a posterior portion and a vertically split anterior portion. A plurality of transversely spaced vertically disposed reinforcing stays are fixedly sandwiched between the outer and inner layers for maintaining the shell in the desired shape. Curved pads are also sandwiched between the inner and outer layers for engaging the iliac crests of the wearer. Releasable fasteners are attached to the open anterior ends of the shell to aid in seccuring the shell on the wearer.

Abstract: A soft body brace for providing support for certain types of patients includes an inner layer of soft compressible plastic material and an outer layer of soft compressible plastic material, the outer layer of soft compressible plastic material being bonded to the inner layer of soft compressible plastic material and along with the inner layer defining a shell configured to circumscribe the torso of the wearer and having a split portion. A plurality of sleeves of flexible material are sandwiched between the inner and outer layers and a reinforcing stay is fixedly disposed in each sleeve for maintaining the brace in its intended shape. Releasable fasteners are attached to the split portion for maintaining the brace in place on the wearer. In making the soft body brace the shell is first fabricated and then shaped as necessary to conform to the shape of the intended wearer.

Abstract: A knee brace having an anterior tibial shell and an anterior femoral shell which are closely configured to the shape of the lower leg and thigh respectively and which are joined by a frame in the form of a pair of polycentric hinge joints. Each one of the joints includes an upper bar and a lower bar, the two bars being pivotally interconnected. The anterior tibial shell and the anterior femural shell are both pivotally mounted on the upper bars of the polycentric hinge joints, the anterior femoral shell being mounted above the anterior tibial shell. Because the anterior tibial shell is mounted on the upper bars of the two joints when the knee brace is mounted on the leg of a person and the knee is bent the anterior tibial shell will move downward and inward against the tibia so as to counteract forward directed forces applied to the tibia and thereby provide additional support for the knee.