Systems and methods for orthopedic supports

Abstract

A garment for providing orthopedic support or therapy to a human body may include a tubular flexible element and a tension strap. The tubular flexible element may be disposed around at least some portion of a human body and include flexible and a touch fastener portions. The flexible portion may be at an exterior of the tubular flexible element and cover a first portion of the body. The touch fastener portion may be at the exterior of the tubular flexible element and cover a second portion of the body. The tension strap may include first and second ends, where the first end includes a first touch fastener to be coupled with the touch fastener portion at a first location, and the second end includes a second touch fastener to be coupled with the touch fastener portion at a second location, thereby applying tension between the first and second locations.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A garment, comprising:
 a garment body comprising:
 a hip sleeve; 
 a first leg sleeve extending from the hip sleeve; 
 a second leg sleeve extending from the hip sleeve; and 
 one or more touch fastener portions disposed at a hip, a thigh, and a knee of the garment body; and 
   an elastic strap comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein each of the first end and the second end comprises a touch fastener that is engageable with the one or more touch fastener portions.   
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 2 , wherein:
 each of the first leg sleeve and the second leg sleeve comprises a first portion that applies compressive pressure to the leg above a knee; and   each of the first leg sleeve and the second leg sleeve comprises a second portion that applies compressive pressure to the leg below the knee.   
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 3 , wherein:
 each first portion comprises a first set of one or more pads at least partially encircling the leg above the knee; and   each second portion of the sleeve includes a second set of one or more pads at least partially encircling the leg below the knee.   
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a torso sleeve defining two arm holes and a neck hole; and   additional touch fastener portions disposed along a torso are and a shoulder area of the torso sleeve.   
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the garment comprises tight pants.   
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the touch fastener portions of each of the first leg sleeve and the second leg sleeve are continuous from below the knee to the hip.   
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 one or more flexible portions that extend about the touch fastener portions, the one or more flexible portions comprising at least one material selected from polyester, nylon, lycra, spandex, and rayon.   
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 2 , wherein:
 one or more flexible portions that extend about the touch fastener portions, the one or more flexible portions being multi-directionally flexible.   
     
     
         10 . The garment of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the garment body comprises a pocket.   
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the pocket is located at a buttock or thigh of the garment body.   
     
     
         12 . A garment, comprising:
 a garment body comprising:
 a hip sleeve; 
 a first leg sleeve extending from the hip sleeve; 
 a second leg sleeve extending from the hip sleeve, wherein:
 each of the first leg sleeve and the second leg sleeve comprises a first portion that applies compressive pressure to the leg above a knee; and 
 each of the first leg sleeve and the second leg sleeve comprises a second portion that applies compressive pressure to the leg below the knee; and 
 
 one or more touch fastener portions disposed at one or more locations selected from the group consisting of a hip, a thigh, and a knee of the garment body; and 
   an elastic strap comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein each of the first end and the second end comprises a touch fastener that is engageable with the one or more touch fastener portions.   
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the sleeve comprises:
 a first padded portion at an inner portion of the leg; and 
 a second padded portion at an outer portion of the leg extending upward to a hip. 
   
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 an additional elastic strap, wherein the additional elastic strap is less elastic than the elastic strap.   
     
     
         15 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the elastic strap comprises a specialized strap having four ends.   
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the one or more touch fastener portions comprise one or both of a hook and loop fastener and a Dual Lock fastener material.   
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein:
 a first side of the first end of the elastic strap comprises hook elements of a first hook and loop fastener and a second side of the first end of the elastic strap comprises loop elements of a second hook and loop fastener.   
     
     
         18 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the elastic strap comprises an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end, the intermediate portion comprising an additional touch fastener portion.   
     
     
         19 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein:
 a width of the elastic strap varies along a length of the elastic strap.   
     
     
         20 . The garment of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 at least one compression detector that is coupled with one or both of the garment body and the elastic strap.   
     
     
         21 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the elastic strap is stretchable from an unstretched state to a state that has an additional 30% to 60% of length relative to the unstretched state.