Patent ID: 8043245

Claim:
An orthopedic device, comprising: a strut assembly having a resilient shell, and defining first and second sides; and a patient compliance system including: (a) a tightening strap connecting the first and second sides of the strut assembly, the tightening strap having first and second end portions arranged for only incremental adjustment in a single direction relative to at least one of the first and second sides of the strut assembly; (b) at least one strap guide located at one of the first and second sides of the strut assembly, the strap guide engaging one of the first and second end portions of the tightening strap, at least one of the first and second end portions of the tightening strap is adjustable only in a single direction relative to the strap guide without adjustment in a reverse direction opposite to the single direction the at least one strap guide defining an elongate channel and at least one tooth formed through the elongate channel, the at least one tooth engageable with corresponding teeth formed on the tightening strap; wherein the tightening strap is arranged to bend the shell and draw the first and second sides thereof toward one another; wherein the tightening strap can only be removed from the at least one strap guide by being cut.