Orthopedic brace and method of use

Abstract

An orthopedic brace may include a main panel made of a flexible, breathable elastic fabric, such as perforated neoprene or AIRPRENE.® The main body panel includes a a fastening implement, such as hook-and-loop fasteners to secure the main body panel in an encircling position on or near a subject area of the human body. The brace may a shank embedded in the main panel to add rigidity in one or more areas. At least two adjustable strap loops may cooperate with the shank to provide targeted and precise compressive forces to the treatment area when the brace is installed. The strap loops may be anchored at one end to the main panel, extend through sliding rings and may be provided with fasteners at another end to adjustably engage corresponding fastening pads on the main body panel. The adjustable strap loops, rings and shank cooperate to provide for the targeted and precise application and distribution of pressure force to the treatment area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An orthopedic brace for bracing and protecting a treatment area of a human body comprising:
 a) a flexible main panel for encircling the treatment area, the main panel having a main panel fastener for securing the main panel in an encircling position around the treatment area;   b) at least one reinforcing member disposed in a central area of the main panel;   c) at least two straps, each having a secured end permanently secured to the main panel, and a fastening end, adapted to be releasably fastened to the main panel;   d) a ring associated with each of the at least two straps for receiving a respective fastening end of the at least two straps therethrough, each ring secured to the main panel in the central area thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two straps comprises four straps. 
     
     
         3 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein the rings are metal D-rings. 
     
     
         4 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is embedded in a pocket formed on the main panel. 
     
     
         5 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is a plastic semi-rigid member. 
     
     
         6 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein the main panel is shaped to surround a treatment area above the human ankle. 
     
     
         7 . The brace of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing member position indicator for indicating the position of the reinforcing member relative to the treatment area when the brace is in an encircling position. 
     
     
         8 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises metal. 
     
     
         9 . The brace of  claim 1 , further comprising an anchoring panel for securing the rings to the main panel. 
     
     
         10 . The brace of  claim 1 , further comprising an anchoring panel securing two of the rings to the central area of the main panel. 
     
     
         11 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein the main panel comprises an elastic fabric. 
     
     
         12 . The brace of  claim 1 , where in the main panel comprises a perforated neoprene fabric. 
     
     
         13 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two straps comprise nylon. 
     
     
         14 . The brace of  claim 1 , where the main panel fastener comprises the hook or loop fastener portion of a hook-and-loop fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The brace of  claim 1 , wherein the main panel is dimensioned to provide support to the area of the human leg above the ankle to treat an ankle sprain. 
     
     
         16 . A method of using an orthopedic brace for a treatment area of a human body, the brace having at least one reinforcing member and at least two straps for applying compressive forces to the reinforcing member, the method comprising:
 a) providing a main panel having main panel fasteners at opposite ends thereof, at least one reinforcing member and at least two rings cooperating with the main panel at a central portion thereof, and at least two straps each cooperating with a respective one of the at least two rings;   b) encircling the treatment area with the main panel;   c) fastening the main panel around the treatment area using the main panel fasteners;   c) threading each of the at least two straps through a respective one of the at least two rings;   d) adjusting the straps to apply compressive forces to the at least one reinforcing member and to the treatment area;   e) and maintaining compressive forces on the treatment area while undergoing activity.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein encircling the treatment area comprises encircling an area of a human leg above the ankle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein locating the at least one reinforcing member at the treatment area comprises locating the at least one reinforcing member to apply pressure to the leg muscle just adjacent a human shin bone. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of adjusting the straps comprises fastening the straps using hook-and-loop fasteners. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of maintaining compressive forces comprises maintaining compressive forces on an area of the human leg above the ankle and adjacent the shin bone, and using the straps to maintain compressive forces on the human leg in a posterior location of the human leg.