Not often much knee brace news to support, but Townsend Design is launching its Active Reliever brace in the U.S. The device is a soft shell single-upright osteoarthritis (OA) knee brace, designed for off-the-shelf or custom fitting to relieve pain by reducing load on the side of the knee that has been injured or progressively degenerated.
Background
Townsend released its first Reliever Series OA brace in 1995, and its flagship Rebel Reliever double upright rigid OA knee brace has demonstrated an average 36% reduction of decompressive forces and substantial improvement in activity and quality of life. By employing similar technology and concepts in a soft shell configuration, the company anticipates the Active Reliever will increase compliance among a broader patient demographic that may be reluctant to wear a rigid brace.
The Active Reliever features a sewn-in integrated semi rigid frame and quick release buckles which make application and removal of the brace easy for patients. The Active Reliever also incorporates a counterforce tensioning strap and a low profile Townsend Motion Hinge that tracks with the anatomical roll-and-glide movement of the knee.
Sales of the product in other countries will begin in July.
Company comments
“Decompressive bracing continues to gain momentum as a conservative treatment option for men and women who are compromised by knee injuries and degenerative conditions,” says Rick Riley, CEO of Townsend Design. “Through the release of the Active Reliever and other products in our development pipeline, we’re increasing our focus on wearable designs that apply alignment-enhancing and off-loading corrective forces to the leg to reduce pain and increase patient mobility.”
Source: PR Newswire
published: May 21, 2015 in: Knee, Launches / Withdrawals