Abstract: In order to achieve required strength and comfort, traditional knee braces have compound hinge structures. Disclosed is a single hinge knee brace having sufficient strength for bracing a human knee without significantly reducing the comfort of someone using such a brace. The knee brace has two support arms hingedly connected by a large diameter semi-spherical joint having a substantially concave inner surface. The knee brace has a fixed flexion-extension axis throughout all degrees of flexion and extension of the knee. The fixed flexion-extension axis of the knee brace is directed inferiorly and posteriorly from the medial condyle to the lateral portion and is offset from both the transverse and coronal planes equally by 2.5 to 4.0 degrees. The resulting knee brace is less costly to manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prosthetic foot including an integral spring portion providing motion in the foot, particularly a unitary foot structure providing a selectable degree of plantar flexion and a stiff structure for toe off. The present invention has found that an integrally formed c-shaped spring portion having an anterior gap, joining a connection platform and the heel and forefoot portions can provide a controlled range of natural mobility in a prosthetic foot as an economical design. The c-shaped spring can deflect, angling the connection platform rearwardly to a partially opened position against the bias of the spring, and angling the connection platform forwardly until the stop abuts the top surface of the forefoot in a closed position. The stop is positioned a selected distance above the top surface to obtain the desired angle of dorsiflexion.