1. Kelsey Kunkel BME 281 November 21, 2012

2. Background Information  Usually an athletic knee has joint fluid and cartilage between the femur, patella, and tibia, which helps to bend the knee easily, without pain.  However, as you get older the fluid, called synovial fluid, and cartilage wanes.  The bones begin to rub together creating gradual amounts of pain for the patient.

3. History  Leg braces were first seen in Egypt as far back as 2500 B.C.E. Creating lower limb braces became a trade as technology began to improve  1920s: Lower limb braces were made of metal and leather. Extremely uncomfortable – pressure was applied at the knees, however the metal caused extreme discomfort.  1940 -1950s: Due to the polio epidemic that spread across the world, lower limb brace technology improved.  1969: Dr. Robert McDavid created the first knee brace to be widely used.  1996: Knee braces started to advance using better materials and incorporating new technology.

4. Current Technology  Ossur OASys® Carticare: Gives on-the-spot pain relief Heat moldable frame “Gel Fit” pads for joins provides comfort Non-corrosive materials  Bledsoe Z-12 OA: Not all-day wear ○ Meant for specific activities Mild to moderate OA Not okay for contact sports  Solus Knee Brace | Breg Inc.: Dial Hinge for level of off-loading Cushioned frame for support

5. Limitations  Very expensive One brace could cost up to $900  Knee braces for Osteoarthritis can only help a limited number of people  Could not help with the reduction of pain. Knee braces can only give relief when wearing it, however when it is taken off, the pain resurfaces.

6. Future Technology  Lowering the price Possibly have the knee braces covered by insurance  Have knee braces that fit every knee size. Not everybody has the same body type. Incorporating this could help many other people in resolving pain issues.  Knee braces that help with long term osteoarthritis pain relief.

7. Works Cited  "About." McDavidUSA. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2012..  "Cool Things - Leg Brace." Kansapedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2012..  "DJO Global Releases OA Nano™, the World's Lightest* Knee Brace, to Reduce Pain, Enhance Stability and Boost Patient Use." DJO Global Releases OA Nano™, the World's Lightest* Knee Brace, to Reduce... N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2012..  "History of Leg Braces." Abasiophilia Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2012..  "History of Prostetics and Orthotics." The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Inc. N.p., 1 July 2008. Web. 17 Nov. 2012..  "Joint Disorders: MedlinePlus." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2012..  "More than 10 Million People Suffer from Knee Osteoarthritis." About Knee Osteoarthritis. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2012..

8. Works Cited (continued)  "Bledsoe Products: Z-12 Adjustable OA." Bledsoe Products: Z- 12 Adjustable OA. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2012..  "Knee Brace for Osteoarthritis: Advantages and Disadvantages." Health Guide Info. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2012..  "OAsys." OAsys. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2012..  "Solus Knee Brace." Breg Inc. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2012..  Yakimovich, Terris, Edward D. Lemaire, PhD, and Jonathan Kofman, PhD. "Engineering Design Review of Stance-control Knee-ankle-foot Orthoses." Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development 46.2 (2009): 257-68. Web.