The Journey Behind Knee FlexionAssist 

Every Great Invention Has a Story… 

Imagine the scene: it’s September 2021, and after years of knee pain that turned even the simplest of tasks into Herculean feats, I finally hit my $5,000 deductible. I was ready for my knee replacement surgery, scheduled for December 27th. My excitement was palpable—no more limping around or wincing at the thought of climbing stairs. But little did I know, the journey ahead would be filled with unexpected twists, turns, and a healthy dose of determination. 

The surgery went beautifully; I was on cloud nine. Just a couple of days post-op, I was already looking forward to my physical therapy sessions. But then came the shocker: with the dawn of a new year, I learned that I had to either meet another deductible or shell out $250 per session. For someone trying to recover, this was not the news I wanted to hear! Thankfully, my kind-hearted physical therapist offered me two weeks of free therapy. I was grateful, but I knew that to truly regain my mobility, I’d need more than just those two weeks. 

As a passionate hiker and swimmer who loved executing flip turns, I was determined to reclaim my range of motion (ROM). I threw myself into my rehab, diligently following the exercises my therapist had shown me. By week three, I had managed to achieve about 120 degrees of flexion. I felt invincible! But then, life threw a wrench into my plans—Covid hit. I was down for the count, and my knee, once on the mend, began to stiffen. As I struggled with breathing and fatigue, I could feel my hard-earned progress slip away. Panic set in as I realized I was back to around 70 degrees of flexion. My enthusiasm for recovery dwindled as quickly as my strength. 

Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, our only car broke down. With no funds to repair it, I decided to take on the challenge myself. After 40 years of fixing vehicles, I thought, “How hard can it be?” But with my knee still recovering, bending and reaching under the car was a whole new ball game. Parts were strewn everywhere, and as I crawled around, I tripped over my own tools. With a dramatic flair that would make a soap opera star proud, I went down—face-first into the driveway. I emerged with a few bumps and bruises, but more importantly, I was frustrated. What had happened to my mobility? I had already accepted that climbing mountains and swimming with ease might be out of reach, but I needed to be able to do the basics—like getting down on my knees for my grandkids’ hugs. 

In the midst of my chaotic garage, something caught my eye. On the shelf, bathed in a mysterious glow, was my trusty ratchet strap. “Of course!” I thought, channeling my inner inventor. I grabbed it and dropped to the floor, wrapping it around my ankle and making several adjustments. Then, with a mix of excitement and skepticism, I began to ratchet my leg back—slowly but surely. This was my Passive Knee Flexion Assistant! I didn’t have to rely on my weak muscles; instead, I let the ratchet do the work. 

I spent my evenings watching TV and ratcheting away, and before long, I stumbled upon a groundbreaking article titled “Increasing Knee Range of Motion Using a Unique Sustained Method.” It suggested holding the knee in a bent position for 10 to 45 minutes at a time. Intrigued, I thought, “Why not?” With my trusty ratchet strap in hand, I adjusted it to just the right tension and settled in for another marathon of my favorite show. Each time the tension eased, I’d ratchet it back a little more. 

Incredibly, within two weeks, I went from about 110 degrees of flexion to an astonishing 130 degrees! I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I envisioned hiking up my favorite trails again, doing flip turns in the pool, and—most importantly—getting back on the ground to embrace my grandkids. It was a revelation: I was getting my life back! 

Yet, as fate would have it, I got sick again, but I held on to my makeshift device. This time, I was armed with knowledge and determination. After a year of trials, tears, and triumphs, I realized there must be others like me out there—struggling to regain their mobility post-surgery. The idea for a dedicated knee flexion device began to take shape. 

I spent the next year refining my concept, discarding the ratchet strap in favor of something better. After several prototypes and countless hours of testing, we created the Knee FlexionAssist—an effective, comfortable device designed for anyone recovering from knee surgery. Whether you’re relaxing on your couch, sitting on the floor, or propped up in bed, this device is here to help. 

What started as a personal journey has now turned into a mission to help others reclaim their mobility and quality of life. And the best part? It’s handmade right here in the USA, with love and care for everyone who will use it. 

So, to all of you facing the challenges of knee replacement surgery and beyond—good luck, stay strong, and may your recovery be as remarkable as your spirit. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Let’s embark on this journey together!