Hinged knee cast brace part one

For proximal tibial fractures, the knee may be mobilized with the aid of a hinged cast, which can be applied once the fracture is sufficiently consolidated (typically after six weeks). The hinged cast involves two parts. A fresh cast has to be applied below the knee as well as above. The lever arms of the hinge are incorporated in the plaster cuffs above and below the knee. Great care needs to be taken to align the axis of the hinge with that of the knee joint. Remember that the knee axis lies proximal to the joint line, roughly at the level of the femoral epicondyles, and is perpendicular to the knee's arc of motion.