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Recommended Accessories
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Product Details
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Sizing Chart
Please measure 6" above and below the center of the knee cap for correct sizing.
| | The NEW Bledsoe Thruster RLF OA Knee Brace uses muscle power to place a medially (Thruster RLF Medial) or laterally (Thruster RLF Lateral) directed force against the knee during terminal extension to help relieve pain for moderate to severe symptomatic lateral or medial compartment arthrosis.
New Strap Saddle Increases Brace Effectiveness The new strap saddle maximizes circumferential support by preventing strap indentation into the soft tissue. This enhances force and keeps the leg coupled to the hinge.
Patient Adjustment Dial The Thruster RLF has an easy adjustment dial for pain relief. Just push in and turn the dial, with the leg in flexion. The patient can adapt the brace immediately to resolve their level of pain.
Re-Engineered Buckle Concept The Thruster RLF has a unique new closure system, borrowed from the ski industry...over-center buckles. Some patients have trouble fitting and tightening the straps that make OA braces function. The new overcenter buckle design provides a better fit and requires less effort and hand strength to operate. The buckles also reduce the wear on hook and loop strapping. | | Features and Benefits of The New Bledsoe Thruster RLF Arthritis Knee Brace  | - Bledsoe's "Dynamic Bracing" innovation of removing side thrust as the knee moves into flexion has been enhanced by posterior hinge positioning. The new posterior positioning of the hinge behind the neutral point of the knee center counterbalances any anterior rotational moment common to fixed angle OA braces.
- The femoral and tibial shells have been redesigned to be ergonomically more comfortable on the leg.
- New for 2010: Short version available for people under 5'6",
and an athletes version slimmer calf muscle.
- All adjustments of the hinge can now be made without any tools.
- New denser pad material to allow the pads to be thinner, lighter and more comfortable.
- Helps to relieve symptoms of pain and inflammation, to aid in delaying osteotomy or total joint procedures, to increase daily walking time while increasing activities, and to aid in slowing the progression of the arthritic condition.
- Indicated for post-operative or post-injury application following lateral and postero-lateral injuries to the connective tissues of the knee to help relieve stress on these healing structures.
| | | | These x-rays show a 235 pound football player that was diagnosed as triple varus and ACL deficient. | X-ray of the same football player wearing the Bledsoe Thruster. Notice the angular change of the knee joint. | 
One knob adjusts the thrust on the upper and lower uprights simultaneously. The New Thruster RLF is lighter, thinner, and lower profile. Its new stylized design and upgrade hinge design looks sharp with no loss of functionality.
Bledsoe OA braces provide pain relief. They enable patients to get active and do things they love to do again. These braces help to break the cycle of weight gain and lost function that complicates OA.
But equally as important, Bledsoe OA braces provide a counterforce to the varus moment, thought to be the root cause of knee osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that anything that counters the varus moment may even slow the progression of OA.
Click here to enlarge
| | Knee Brace Information | | Thruster Accessories | | The New Bledsoe Thruster RLF is indicated for medial and lateral unicompartmental gonarthrosis to help relieve symptoms of pain and inflammation, to aid in delaying osteotomy or total joint procedures, to increase daily walking time while increasing activities, and to aid in slowing the progression of the condition. Also indicated for post-operative or post-injury application following lateral and postero-lateral injuries to the connective tissues of the knee to help relieve stress on these healing structures. | This brace is rated Level IV
Click here for Knee Brace
Rating Information | Thruster RLF Data Sheet (PDF)
Thruster RLF Instructions (PDF)
Effectiveness of OA Knee Brace During Heel Strike of Gait
How does an Unloader Brace Work?
| | Why an unloader brace works | | Fixed angle braces are limited in the amount of varus/valgus force that can be placed against the knee. As the angle and force increase, the brace will roll in flexion to relieve the difference in angle. Unfortunately, it does not usually roll back straight as the leg extends.
The unique muscle-powered dynamic cam action of the Bledsoe Thruster RLF causes the varus/valgus angle of the brace to increase as the leg is extended. The damaged knee compartment opens, pain is relieved, and the hinge remains in the correct position. | | HCFA Code: L1843 | - Unloader affect.
- Delay surgery.
- Decrease anti-inflammatory medications.
- Decrease pain symptoms.
- Improve knee joint function.
- Improve quality of life.
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The Bledsoe AFO attachment is designed to maintain hinge position for proper suspension of the Thruster RLF when inadequate calf musculature prevents suspension of the brace alone. | | | | NOTE: If thigh and calf measurements do not match a single size range, semi-custom versions are available for an additional charge. |
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