A knee brace functions to extensionally center and thereby enhance
patellar function. The brace comprises an upper bracket assembly, a lower
bracket assembly, and certain torsional spring assemblies. The upper and
lower bracket assemblies comprise leg-receiving bracket portions and
certain axial support structure extending from the bracket portions to
bracket junctions. Each spring assembly comprises a torsional spring
element and an elastically compressible core element. The torsional
spring elements compressibly receive the core elements. The torsional
spring elements are actuable for imparting restorative resistance forces,
and the core elements function to damp the restorative resistance forces.
The damped restorative resistance forces function to safely enhance
quadriceps muscle contraction during knee extension. The enhanced
quadriceps muscle contraction functions to center the patella during knee
extension, and thereby enhance patellar function. The brace may be
attached to an anchored leg-covering garment for further restricting
axial displacement relative to the leg.