Patent ID: 7686776

Claim:
A device for protecting ligaments in a knee joint of a user, wherein a maximum foot range of rotation of a foot of the user relative to the knee joint causes hyperextension of a ligament within the knee joint, the device comprising: a knee brace positionable about a knee joint of a user, the knee brace including: an upper frame member; a lower frame member having a brace connection point; and a joint member pivotally connected to the upper and lower frame members; a boot wearable on the foot of the user, the boot having a boot connection point, the boot being rotatable relative to the knee brace to rotate the boot connection point relative to the brace connection point; and a flexible tether member having a first coupling element coupled to the knee brace at the brace connection point and a second coupling element coupled to the boot at the boot connection point, the boot and knee brace being attachable and detachable via the first and second coupling elements, the flexible tether member being disposable in tension to mitigate rotation of the boot connection point relative to the brace connection point beyond the maximum foot range of rotation.