Knee braces are crucial in enhancing mobility and managing pain, yet until recently, there had been little evolution since the introduction of the polycentric hinge three decades ago. Osskin’s launch of the Asymmotion™ hinge system in their knee braces marks a significant technological advancement, transforming knee brace support by enabling natural, three-dimensional knee movements.
Understanding the Asymmotion™ Hinge
The Asymmotion™ hinge system, marks a departure from traditional knee brace and hinge designs. Traditional polycentric hinges mimic only the sagittal plane of the knee—linear and limited—restricting the knee’s natural, complex asymmetrical movements. In contrast, the Asymmotion™ hinge system embraces a helical design that allows three-dimensional movement, which mirrors perfectly the knee’s entire motion throughout flexion-extension.
In other words, the Asymmotion™ hinge system allows for 10deg – 120degs ROM in the sagittal plane, 17deg of axial rotation in the transverse view, including the screw home mechanism, and 4deg of abduction-adduction on the coronal plane. This mechanical hinge design that tracks the instantaneous axis of rotation of the knee, reduces unbalancing counterforces between the knee and the knee brace during flexion-extension, thus eliminating migration and preventing from altering the patient’s proper gait mechanics.
Enhanced Functionality and Comfort
With OssKin’s proprietary mass customization software and the use of SLS 3D-printing, this gives OssKin 100% digital design freedom to tailor each Provoke knee brace to individual leg shapes. This personalized approach ensures a perfect bespoke fit, crucial for effective optimal support by ensuring total surface contact across the leg. The Asymmotion™ hinge plays a central role in this, enabling the brace to accommodate natural knee movements without compromising stability and preventing any pressure points especially with a perfectly conformed knee brace on the leg. This ensures a comfortable, secure fit, all while limiting pressure points, thus freeing users from the discomfort and constraints of traditional braces.
Clinical Benefits and Evidence
The clinical implications of using a knee brace with the Asymmotion™ hinge are significant. Traditional polycentric hinged knee braces often limit movement to one or two planes, which can inhibit natural knee functions and may even lead to additional strain due to improper alignment. The Evoke knee orthosis, equipped with the Asymmotion™ hinge, addresses these issues by allowing tri-planar motion that aligns closely with the knee’s screw-home mechanism—a crucial movement pattern in human biomechanics.
Independent studies, such as those conducted at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Center, show that the Evoke knee orthosis improves knee extension by seven degrees in standing positions but also increased external rotation by over six degrees. These improvements can significantly enhance quality of life, offering patients a level of biomechanical movement closer to their pre-condition state.
Integration into Treatment Plans
For orthotists, the use of OssKin’s knee braces with the Asymmotion™ hinge technology into treatment plans offers a substantial improvement over traditional options. The digitally bespoke custom-fit design, coupled with its ability to perfectly track the knee’s entire natural movement including axial rotation, makes the Provoke and Evoke knee braces indispensable tools in the management of knee pathologies such as osteoarthritis and ligament deficiencies.
The low-profile, lightweight nature (50% lighter than the average knee brace) of these braces also means they can be easily adopted by patients, thus increasing patient compliance and providing better outcomes. This is a
Conclusion
The Asymmotion™ hinge represents a significant leap forward in knee brace technology. With its ability to perfectly track the entire natural biomechanical axis of the human knee, it offers enhanced comfort, improved functionality, and substantial clinical benefits. As the industry continues to evolve, technologies like the Asymmotion™ hinge system set a new standard for patient care, promising a future where mobility impairments are managed with compromise to proper biomechanics.
About OssKin
We revolutionize what it means to move with ease and comfort through our bespoke 3D-printed braces. We are a Canadian company based in Montreal, Quebec. Click here to learn more about us.
