Patent ID: 8216166

Claim:
An orthopedic device having anterior and posterior sides divided by an anterior-posterior plane, and lateral and medial sides divided by a lateral-medial plane generally perpendicular to the anterior-posterior plane, the brace adapted for placement over a posterior side of a leg, the brace comprising: a first posterior frame member having front and rear surfaces, and including a first end portion, a central portion connecting to the first end portion, and a second end portion defined by at least one arm branching from the central portion; a second posterior frame member connected to the first frame member, the second posterior frame member having front and rear surfaces, and including a first end portion connected to the first end portion of the first frame member, a central portion connecting to the first end portion, and a second end portion defined by at least one arm branching from the central portion; a posterior resilient hinge connecting the first and second frame members, and located at or near the first end portions of the first and second frame members, the hinge located along the lateral-medial plane on the posterior side of the brace, the hinge arranged to urge the first and second frame members into a predetermined alignment; wherein the hinge is formed from a thickness of only one of the first and second frame members, the hinge being defined by at least one undulation protruding from the rear surface of one of the first and second frame members, the resiliency of the hinge arranged to urge the brace into a straight configuration when the hinge bends across the thickness of the corresponding frame member.