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Stony Brook University study concludes knee brace improves mobility of OA patients

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. , Dec. 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Townsend Design's Rebel Reliever knee brace was the focus of an osteoarthritis (OA) bracing study by Stony Brook University published earlier this year in the Prosthetics and Orthotics International journal.

The study documents the benefits patients experienced after use of the Rebel Reliever brace and substantiates its effectiveness in conservative treatment of knee OA. Results of the study demonstrated how an average 36% reduction in compressive forces on the knee led to improvements in mobility and quality of life.

According to Rick Riley , CEO of Townsend, the researchers did baseline testing of each patient without a brace, and then replicated the testing after the patients had worn the brace for two and eight weeks. There were statistically significant improvements between baseline and two weeks, and continued improvements after two months of use.

"Altering the decompressive forces reduced pain and enabled patients to walk farther. Patients actually increased their mobility while their surveys showed improvements in pain relief and quality of life," said Riley. "Physicians recognize the health and economic benefits of keeping patients active. Our technology helps get patients off the couch and back out into the community."

Riley noted the researchers at Stony Brook also presented evidence at several physical therapy conferences that wearing the brace led to improvements in leg muscle function. "Test results indicated there were improvements in both the affected and unaffected leg, attributed to an increase in daily ambulation," said Riley.

Townsend Design has been a leading manufacturer of OA knee braces since 1995. The Rebel Reliever has become the company's flagship product, currently worn by thousands of patients in the USA , Canada , Europe , and China . In addition to the Rebel Reliever, Townsend fabricates a variety of pre-sized and custom OA knee braces that feature exclusive hinges and suspension technology, and proprietary manufacturing processes that optimize results and patient compliance.

About Townsend Design Founded in 1984, Townsend Design is an industry leader in manufacturing and distributing high-quality, technically-superior orthopedic products routinely prescribed for orthopedic injuries or post-surgical treatment. In 2011, Townsend became the USA subsidiary of the Thuasne Group, a family-owned European manufacturer of wearable medical devices. For more information about Townsend, please visit www.townsenddesign.com.

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