Knee Extension Boards & Splints for Contracture Recovery
Struggling to fully straighten your leg after surgery? Regaining terminal extension is the most critical step in your rehabilitation. Our collection of knee extension boards and knee extension splints for contractures are professional-grade tools designed to break down stubborn scar tissue and restore a normal gait.
Physician-recommended for post-op recovery (TKR, ACL) and arthrofibrosis, these devices provide the consistent, gentle stretch needed to remodel shortened ligaments. Whether you need a portable knee extension board for daily home exercises or a specialized knee extension brace for progressive stretching, our selection is curated by physical therapists to help you "get to zero" degrees and eliminate your limp.
Understanding Knee Flexion Contractures and Extension Deficits
A knee flexion contracture occurs when the soft tissues surrounding the joint-muscles, tendons, and the joint capsule-shorten and tighten, making it impossible to fully straighten the leg. This is common following total knee replacements, ligament reconstructions, or periods of prolonged immobilization.
Using a knee extension brace for contracture treatment is based on the clinical principle of Low Load Prolonged Stretch (LLPS). Unlike a quick stretch, which only provides temporary relief, a dedicated knee extension splint applies a low-intensity force over a longer duration. This process physically alters the collagen fibers in the scar tissue, allowing the joint to regain its natural range of motion.
Why Use a Knee Extension Board? While many patients try to use towels or weights at home, a dedicated knee extension board provides a stable, repeatable platform for stretching.
Targeted Stretching: Specifically isolates the posterior capsule and hamstrings.
Progressive Results: Allows patients to track their progress as the knee sits lower on the board over time.
Gait Normalization: Restoring those final 5-10 degrees of extension is the only way to prevent "quadriceps lag" and the long-term hip or back pain associated with a flexed-knee gait.
Expert Support for Your Recovery At DME-Direct, we understand that recovering from a stiff knee is a marathon, not a sprint. We offer a variety of knee extension devices, from simple notched boards to advanced knee extension braces, to ensure you have the right tool for your specific stage of healing.
Knee Extension Boards & Splints For Contracture Frquently Asked Questions
A knee extension board is a physical therapy tool designed to help patients regain the ability to fully straighten their leg. It is primarily used to treat knee flexion contractures and stiffness caused by scar tissue (arthrofibrosis) following surgeries like a Total Knee Replacement (TKR) or ACL reconstruction.
Recovery time varies based on the severity of the scar tissue. However, using a knee extension splint for contracture consistently—often in sessions of 10 to 30 minutes several times a day—can show measurable improvements in range of motion within 2 to 4 weeks.
Yes. Unlike standard braces, a knee extension brace for contracture applies "Low Load Prolonged Stretch" (LLPS). This constant, gentle pressure helps physically remodel the collagen fibers in the scar tissue, allowing the connective tissue to lengthen over time.
Terminal extension is the final 3–5 degrees of straightening. Without it, your leg cannot "lock" properly while walking, which leads to a limp, muscle fatigue (quadriceps lag), and secondary pain in the hip or lower back.
A knee extension board is typically used for active-passive stretching sessions during the day. A dynamic or static-progressive knee extension brace is often worn for longer durations (sometimes hours) to provide a constant stretch while the patient is resting.
