Abstract

An orthopedic appliance and method for changing the angular relationship of an individual's longitudinal axis of the lower lumbar spine to a longitudinal axis of the femorae which includes a support device having a lower surface to be disposed along a resting surface. The support device also includes an upper surface having first and second surface portions which are angularly disposed relative to one another. The first and second surface portions are to be applied against a front portion of an individual near the individual's lower lumbar spine and femorae. The angular relationship between the first and second upper surface portions recreates in an individual an angle between the longitudinal axis of the lower lumbar spine and the longitudinal axis of the femorae which is approximately equal to the angular relationship between these longitudinal axes while an individual is standing. The prone position recreated angle between the longitudinal axis of the lower lumbar spine and the longitudinal axis of the femorae will range approximately between 120° and 140° as measured about the support device side of each of these longitudinal axes. Preferably this angle will equal approximately 130° and the angles formed by planes from two upper surface portins in relationship to a plane from the lower surface of the support device will be approximately 25° each.