A load distribution device having a proximal support element and a distal support element for transferring the musculo-skeletal stress at a joint to associated body segments of a given joint-segments body structure of a user, the proximal support element including rigid proximal posterior and distal anterior contact elements exerting onto the proximal body segment two opposite forces (14a, 14b) for the transfer of musculo-skeletal stress from the user's joint to the proximal body segment, and pliant proximal anterior and distal posterior contact elements; the distal support element including rigid proximal anterior and distal posterior contact elements exerting onto the distal body segment two opposite forces (24a, 24b) for the transfer of the musculo-skeletal stress from the user's joint to the distal body segment, and pliant proximal posterior and distal anterior contact elements; the load distribution device further comprising: a torque exerting actuating mechanism movably connecting the proximal and distal support elements; a control system (116, 150) operatively connected to the torque exerting actuating mechanism; and a power source supplying power to the control system and the torque exerting actuating mechanism; wherein during user executed movements, the torque exerting actuating mechanism is configured to generate or dissipate, under the directions of the control system, a preset level of biomechanical energy corresponding to a user desired musculo-skeletal stress reduction at the joint, the rigid contact elements (114a, 114b, 115a, 115b) applying opposite forces are configured to transfer the biomechanical energy from the user's joint onto the proximal and distal body segments. the proximal support element including rigid proximal posterior and distal anterior contact elements exerting onto the proximal body segment two opposite forces (14a, 14b) for the transfer of musculo-skeletal stress from the user's joint to the proximal body segment, and pliant proximal anterior and distal posterior contact elements; and distal anterior contact elements exerting onto the proximal body segment two opposite forces (14a, 14b) for the transfer of musculo-skeletal stress from the user's joint to the proximal body segment, and pliant proximal anterior and distal posterior contact elements; the distal support element including rigid proximal anterior and distal posterior contact elements exerting onto the distal body segment two opposite forces (24a, 24b) for the transfer of the musculo-skeletal stress from the user's joint to the distal body segment, and pliant proximal posterior and distal anterior contact elements; the load distribution device further comprising: a torque exerting actuating mechanism movably connecting the proximal and distal support elements; a control system (116, 150) operatively connected to the torque exerting actuating mechanism; and a power source supplying power to the control system and the torque exerting actuating mechanism; distal posterior contact elements exerting onto the distal body segment two opposite forces (24a, 24b) for the transfer of the musculo-skeletal stress from the user's joint to the distal body segment, and pliant proximal posterior and distal anterior contact elements; the load distribution device further comprising: a torque exerting actuating mechanism movably connecting the proximal and distal support elements; a control system (116, 150) operatively connected to the torque exerting actuating mechanism; and a power source supplying power to the control system and the torque exerting actuating mechanism; a torque exerting actuating mechanism movably connecting the proximal and distal support elements; a control system (116, 150) operatively connected to the torque exerting actuating mechanism; and a power source supplying power to the control system and the torque exerting actuating mechanism;