MXPA98002622A - Elastic body support terapeut - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to athletic or orthopedic elastic supports (10) for body parts such as knee, thigh or ankle have a generally tubular sleeve (14) made of elastic resilient "multi-directional" elongation fabric that surrounds the body part. A patch (20) having at least one neoprene lamination (24) or the like is fixed inside the sleeve. The patch is sized, configured and placed on the support element to provide therapeutic heating to only a portion of the body part. Preferably, the patch includes a second lamination of an absorbent fabric liner 826) that is coextensive with, and secured to, the neoprene layer. The neoprene layer has a plurality of holes (32) extending through it to remove moisture. The liner may have similar aligned holes. The lining and the patch are sewn on the edge, adhered, thermally laminated or otherwise fixed to each other and to the sleeve. For a knee or elbow, the patch is usually diamond-shaped with its wide ends truncated and the elastic sleeve may have an opening (34) on the back of the knee or on the inside of the elbow. For a fist, ankle or thigh, the patch is usually a strip 820) that extends above the damaged region with openings (34) in the cuffs and the ankle for the thumb and heel, respectively. For an ankle, the strip is curved down its ends (40) to directly cover the ankle bone

Description

"SUPPORT OF THERAPEUTIC ELASTIC BODY" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to elastic athletic and orthopedic supports for the human body. More specifically, it is related to an improved support that provides a therapeutic degree of heating only in the portion of a strategically placed region of the body, and does so without an unacceptable level of perspiration accumulation, overheating, or galling due to rubbing or biting. of the cloth. A wide variety of elastic supports and rigid externally applied joint restraints are known to protect healthy and unpressured joints and promote the healing of certain injuries. Braces and braces are commonly used for injuries and other medical problems in the knee, thigh, elbow, waist, fist and back. Common injuries that can be helped by a support include ligaments damaged by excessive effort or broken, tendinitis, arthritis and muscles pulled or damaged by excessive effort.

The elastic or "soft" supports are usually preferred in relation to the braces where the body part is generally healthy and the intention is to hold it in order to prevent the injury, e.g., of a joint or joint and the surrounding tissue. The soft supports are also used to protect and promote the healing of damaged limbs when it is not broken bones and the patient is mobile. Support may be used, for example, before engaging in a job or sporting activity that is expected to involve unusual lengthening or carrying a load. The elasticity of the support is important not only to apply an externally applied support compression, but also to maintain the support in a selected position in the body. Ideally the support is constructed so that it flexes easily and interferes as little as possible with the normal movement scale of the body part. The elasticity of the support also accommodates a change in the size of the body part produced by physical exertion, changes in the condition of a lesion (e.g., a reduction in inflammation), or only changes in the elevation of the part. of the body, v.gr when a damaged or injured ankle is raised. The most common form of elastic support is a simple tubular sleeve of an elongation fabric such as the nylon elongation material used in Ace® brand bandages and supports. The sleeve is pulled over and holds the part of the body to be protected as well as the adjacent regions. When joints are used, the predominant problems are galling and biting of the fabric during flexion, particularly in the interior of a joint such as the back of a knee or the "inside" of an elbow. Flexions of body parts and changes in body size can also result in a migration of the position of the support in the body. To overcome some of these problems, it is also known how to construct flat or "non-folding type" supports that are wound around the body part and secured with bands with clasp and clasp or other fasteners. U.S. Patent No. 4,353,362 issued to Demarco and U.S. Patent Number 5,221,252 issued to the present applicant and another are examples of these knee supports. It is also known to combine the support function of these devices with therapeutic heating or cooling functions and protective cushioning functions. U.S. Patent No. 5,014,354 issued to Du ont, for example, uses pads secured to a main elastic body to protect the underlying body portion from bridging or other impacts. U.S. Patent No. 5,168,577 issued to Detty discloses the use of a continuous neoprene layer in the material forming the main elastic body, where the neoprene acts as an insulator to retain body heat, and thus increases blood flow to the area. U.S. Patent No. 5,136,727 issued to Brisco, discloses a pair of athletic short shorts formed from a pair of conventional ventilated fabric briefs attached to the neoprene legs that surround the wearer's thigh. U.S. Patent No. 4,964,402 to Grim et al. Is illustrative of another approach, the use of cavities formed in the main elastic body wherein the cavities are adapted to retain the hot or cold packs and thus heat or cool the region of the body. body below the package. The cavities and thermal packages are not in widespread use. They require packages to be heated, cooled or activated, and then supplied to the support for immediate use. These packages are heated or cooled only for a limited period of time. They must then be removed and replenished or replaced which typically requires removing all support and "reloading" the cavities. The packages are also bulky and present an increase in significant cost when combined with conventional soft supports, and even soft supports with neoprene linings. A predominant problem with neoprene and other closed-cell heat-retaining materials is that they trap perspiration and excessive heat under the support. Trapped moisture and high heat levels quickly produce discomfort and chafing. Moisture also activates migration because it lubricates the skin-support interface. These devices can not be used for extended periods of time, eg, usually for no more than a few hours at maximum. Another problem is that the neoprene helps the weight and resistance of the bending of the support as well as activates the chafing and biting. Unless they are enclosed or otherwise protected, neoprene products and similar products are also susceptible to edge fraying, that is, a rippling or crumbling of the material on their edges. U.S. Patent No. 4,832,010 issued to Lerman discloses a soft support formed of a laminated three-layer neoprene material sandwiched between and adhered to two layers of an elongation fabric. The neoprene therefore extends through the support.

The resilient strength of the neoprene layer is an important source of compressive strength in the support. Lerman uses holes that extend only through the neoprene layer to allow a flow of air to the body part which removes perspiration and excess heat. Because the holes weaken the neoprene, Lerman reveals that the neoprene must be dense and that the two layers of elongation fabric must both adhere to the neoprene so that its inherent resilience can supplement the compressive strength of the neoprene. Other perforated closed cell laminates are known. The long cushion sole insert pieces for the shoes, for example, have a layer of a closed cell foam sandwiched between the fabric layers with air holes that extend through all three layers. Therefore, a main object of this invention is to provide an elastic support for a part of the body, particularly a joint, which also provides a strategically placed therapeutic heating without thermal packs or other external sources of thermal energy. Another object is to provide the aforementioned advantages which also control the accumulation of moisture in the heated portion of the body part and which control chafing and biting, especially during bending of the joint. A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a support with the aforementioned advantages that is highly flexible and that functions effectively through a scale of body part sizes. Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide the aforementioned advantages without any significant increase in volume through a simple elastic sleeve support. A further object of this invention is to provide all of the aforementioned advantages while retaining a favorable manufacturing cost.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION An elastic support for a part of the body, particularly a joint such as the ankle, elbow, cuff or knee, has a main elastic member formed of a multidirectional elongation fabric which, when placed above the body part , surrounds the body part in an elongated condition to develop a compression support force. The main elastic member is preferably a tubular nylon sleeve of bidirectional, three-directional or four-way elongation that is pulled over the body part. The sleeve carries a patch or panel with at least one layer formed on a flexible sheet of heat retaining material such as closed cell foam. Neoprene is preferred. The patch preferably also has an elongation fabric liner which is generally coextensive with the heat retaining layer and which is placed between that layer and the body part. The preferred liner is formed of a fabric such as stretch nylon or a polypropylene that imbibes moisture (perspiration) and controls the chafing due to repeated relative movements of the liner with respect to the body part. To control an accumulation of moisture beneath the heat retaining layer, it has a plurality of small diameter holes formed therein that extend between its faces. The liner may have a pattern of equal holes aligned with those in the heat retaining layer to facilitate a circulation of air through the patch to remove excess moisture. The patch may include a second layer of fabric to intercalate the heat retaining layer, but this is not necessary.

The liner is secured to the patch to maintain the same in a mutually aligned overlapping relationship despite manipulation during fabrication and shear forces during use. The patch in turn, is secured in the main elastic cuff in a selected location through the part of the body that is going to be treated practically. Both of these can be secured by (i) stitching the edges, (ii) glued by stitching and sewn on edges, (iii) other stitching, (iv) adhesion, (v) thermal lamination, (vi) brooch materials and brackets, or (vii) combinations of the aforementioned. For the knees and elbows, the preferred patch is usually diamond-shaped, centered above the kneecap or elbow, and sized to cover the kneecap or elbow and the adjacent soft tissue. For ankles and cuffs the patch is a strip that partially surrounds the joint of the fist and ankle. For ankles, the ends of the strip preferably curve down to cover the protruding ankle bone. For thighs, in patch is a strip that extends vertically above the muscle group in the thigh to be treated, eg, a muscle of tension of the hamstring. For knees and elbows, the main elastic sleeve preferably has an interior opening at the rear of the joint to prevent biting of the fabric during articulation flexion. For ankles and cuffs, the main elastic sleeve preferably has an inner opening dimensioned and positioned to receive the heel and thumb, respectively. These and other objects and features will be more readily understood from the following detailed description which should be read in view of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1 and 2 are perspective plan views and external planar, respectively, of an elastic elbow support in accordance with the present invention with portions of the broken plant view; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2; Figures 4 to 6 are perspective plan views and front and rear respectively flattened of a knee support, according to the present invention, with portions of the broken perspective and front plan views; Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in Figure 5; Figures 8 to 11 are perspective, and front, rear, and side flattened elevation views, respectively, of an elastic ankle support in accordance with the present invention; Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 in Figure 11; Figures 13 to 15 are perspective views, of an external flattened plan and an internal planar plan respectively, of an elastic cuff support according to the present invention; Figure 17 is a sectional view taken along line 16-16 in Figure 15; Figures 17 and 18 are perspective and flattened front plan views, respectively, of an elastic thigh support in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 19 is a sectional view taken along line 19-19 in Figure 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Figures 1 to 19 show the elastic supports 10 in accordance with the present invention adapted for use on parts of the human body including the elbow, knee, ankle, cuff and - thigh. In each of these forms, the support 10 is constructed around a main support member 14 similar to a sleeve or generally tubular. For ease of reference, number 12 may be referred to herein as "sleeve" but it will be understood that the sleeve may have openings and may be of a "non-folding" type of support that is wrapped around the body part and which is secured by fasteners or bands and fasteners. The sleeve 14 is formed of a resilient multidirectional elongation material, such as a bi-directional, three-way or four-directional stretch nylon and preferably the nylon bi-directional elongation material commonly used in ACE® brand dressings and supports. of conventional sleeve type. The direction of elongation is oriented to allow the sleeve to expand radially around the body part, but to resist elongation along the part of the body, e.g., vertically along the leg or along of the central axis of the arm. As shown, the end openings and other openings in the sleeve 14 are rotated below and sewn as in 16, or sewn with double seam, such as in 18, 18, to prevent fraying of ends and provide a smooth edge in the openings to facilitate the sliding of the support towards and outside the part of the body. The sleeve 14 is the main compression force source in the elastic support 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention. It is dimensioned so that when it is placed above the associated body part, it is placed in an elongated condition. Its inherent resilience produces a compressive force that surrounds and supports the body part. The sleeve is porous to the air. The compression force generated by the cuff should be sufficient to provide therapeutic support for the body part and keep the support in place despite the bending of the joints and changes in body size due to changes in blood flow, blood pressure, inflammation or edema. It must also produce the desired strength levels or a reasonable scale of body part sizes so that most adults can be accommodated by one of the four pre-graduated sizes., as is normal for the conventional sleeve type supports currently on the market. A main feature of the present invention is a panel or patch 20 attached to the sleeve 14. The patch is a laminate construction having at least one layer 24 of a flexible heat retaining material such as a closed cell foam, and preferably neoprene. In the preferred form shown in Figures 1 to 19, the patch also includes a liner 26 which is generally co-extensive with the heat retaining layer 24. The liner is an elongation fabric that can imbibe moisture, and is preferably a four-way woven stretch nylon. The lining is also soft to control the spraying of the body part. It also protects the heat retention layer against mechanical degradation, particularly on the edges. As will be described in more detail below, the patch is sized, configured and placed on the sleeve so that it is above only a portion 28 of the body part 12 that requires therapy or heat protection (the heat being supplemental to support therapy of the elastic cuff). For example, for a knee brace, the patch can only cover the kneecap (patella of the knee) and its immediately surrounding tissue. The patch therefore focuses its therapeutic warming action on the injured or vulnerable portions of the body part. This allows the rest of the body part to expand and contract more freely than it would if it were completely surrounded by a layer of neoprene and to "breathe" directly through the sleeve 14.

This in turn increases the comfort of the support 10 and increases the period of time in which it can comfortably be used and provide thermal therapeutic benefits to the 28 portion of the body. These therapeutic benefits include (i) increasing the blood supply to a lesion such as a twisted or broken ligament or muscle or to a medical program such as arthritis or tendonitis, (ii) treatment conditions such as inflammation, and edema, and (iii) ) provide mechanical protection (cushioning) against damage or aggravation of an existing injury or condition due to an externally applied shock. The liner 26 does not need to be continuously bonded to the neoprene layer 24, although it can do so. It is sufficient that the liner is retained in the fixed position interposed between the layer 24 and the body portion 28. To facilitate manufacture, it is preferred that the liner 26 be secured in the layer 24, either temporarily or permanently, and then the laminated double layer patch be permanently secured to the sleeve, preferably by its internal surface. The method of precise fixation of the lamination of the patch layer and its patch to the sleeve is not critical. It can be a continuous adhesion, a seam, a shore seam, thermal lamination, gummed by stitching and sewing (especially shore seam), brooch materials such as VELCRO®, and combinations of these techniques. The currently preferred method is to gum the lining points in the neoprene layer to retain them in the desired assembled condition, and then to sew on the edge the patch assembled and glued next to the sleeve, which simultaneously sews the lining in the layer of heat retention. The edge seam 30 is shown in Figures 1 to 19. It serves both to secure the elements 14, 24 and 26 to each other and, in combination with the liner 26 to protect the edges of the layer 24 against fraying or other mechanical abuse such as ripping and gouges. The layer 24 has a plurality of openings 32 extending through the layer 24, from one face to the other. As shown, they are cylindrical. The size and spacing of the holes is sufficient to produce a circulation of air through the porous fabric liner 26 towards the body portion 28, which activates an effective evaporation of the perspiration. In the illustrated support, using neoprene of 3.18 millimeters thickness, the holes are approximately 1.59 millimeters in diameter and are evenly spaced with a gap of approximately 6.35 millimeters between the holes, from center to center. The openings 32 work in cooperation with the liner 26 which, because it is woven, is porous and produces a capillary or imbibing action for moisture that has accumulated beneath the layer 24, transports air and moisture to the openings 32. In the presently preferred form, at least for the elbow, ankle and cuff, the liner 26 also has a set of internal openings 33 which are aligned with the holes 32 in the heat retaining layer. The openings 33 increase the evaporative action since the portions of the body directly below the holes 33 have direct access to the air passages 32, and there is an increased flow accessibility between the remainder of the liner 26 and the holes 32. The holes 32 and 33 are produced by any known technique for these materials, such as punching or perforation. When used in a joint, a tubular sleeve has a tendency to warp the fabric of the sleeve inside the joint when it is bent. Adjacent folds or folds of the fabric can puncture or "bite" the. skin on the "back" of the joint. There is also an improved chafing due to the rubbing of the folded sleeve material which is pressed against and moves over the skin in the joint during bending or bending. To reduce galling and biting, in its presently preferred form the invention uses comparatively large internal openings 34 in the sleeve. The openings are positioned above the inner central portion of the joint. They are dimensioned and shaped so that there is essentially no bite above the normal movement scale for that joint. As shown, the currently preferred shape for the openings 34 is oval or circular, depending on which part of the body is being treated. Figures 1 to 3 show a support 10 particularly adapted for use in an elbow. As shown, the support is placed with the patch 20 covering the bone of the projecting elbow and the adjacent tissue. As can best be seen in Figure 2, the patch is generally of a diamond but with the two laterally extending ends 36, 36 truncated. The shape can also be seen as a "shirred" strip or one that is bent in half. The patch extends along the arm, between the rounded corners 38, 38 and along the lateral direction between the ends 36, 36, over sufficient distances so that the region of the body in need of treatment is covered and remains cover through the elbow flexions. The patch is gummed by stitches and sewn on the edges. It has a layer 24 of a thickness of 3.18 millimeters of neoprene and a nylon liner 26 of four-way elongation. The holes 32 and 33 in the patch are aligned. When not lengthened, the opening 34 is slightly oval with the main shaft directed along the arm to accommodate a fairly large angular travel of the forearm with respect to the upper arm. Figures 4 to 7 show a support 10 adapted for use on a knee. The patch 20 again is generally diamond-shaped with ends 36, 36 truncated and end 38, 38 rounded. Again, the shape can be seen as a "shirred" strip or one that warps in half. The centered widening ensures coverage of the patella and vertically adjacent tissue by the layer 24, even when the knee has been fully flexed. The inherent elasticity of the sleeve 14, the layer 24, and the liner 26 facilitate a knee flexion while maintaining the coverage of the therapeutic patch. The patch of preference is gummed by stitches and sewn on the edges at 30. It has an opening 34 in the back of the knee to control the bite and the gall thereon. The opening 34 is generally circular when it has not elongated, as shown in Figure 6. The sleeve 14 becomes narrower from the top to the bottom to accommodate variations in the size of the thigh and tibia. As will be better seen in Figure 7, the liner 26 is preferably an elongation fabric without openings 33, since the kneecap will typically have a greater tendency to irritate due to a chafing arising from the sliding of the liner above the kneecap and an accumulation of perspiration. Note that because the patch is interrupted by the opening 34, it does not surround and can not in itself generate any significant level of compression force on the knee. The present invention, therefore, decouples the support and therapy functions that are inherently combined in conventional supports with continuous neoprene layers surrounding the body. Figure 7 also visually demonstrates that layer 24 can also serve as a cushioning function. Figures 8 to 12 show a support 10 adapted for use on an ankle. The patch 20 is more in the form of a laterally extending strip with rounded curved ends 40, 40 placed to lie above the ankle bone projecting laterally on both sides of the ankle. A central portion 42 of the patch extends around the back of the ankle to cover the region of the Achilles tendon above the heel 44. The patch 20 therefore covers, and can provide therapy to the ankle joint and a group of the ankle. main tendon. At the same time, it supports the rest of the ankle joint and the adjacent portions of the foot without overheating and without significant increase in volume compared to a support formed entirely with a cover of heat retaining material, e.g., a support manufactured entirely from a laminate of the Lerman type as described in U.S. Patent Number 4,832,010. The opening 34 for an ankle is a relatively flat oval, or similar to a slit, when it does not lengthen. It receives the heel and facilitates the initially straight tubular sleeve 14 to adopt a generally "L" -shaped orientation when used. It also allows the sleeve 14 to be used with less amount of fabric on the front of the support, opposite the heel, to reduce folding, biting and chafing. The cuff is used lightly from the top to the bottom to reflect the usually larger diameter of the lower leg compared to the middle part of the foot. As shown in Figure 12, liner 26 preferably has holes 33. Figures 13 to 16 show a support 10 adapted to be used as a fist holder. The sleeve 14 has a slight taper, becoming narrower towards the hand, and a thumb receiving opening 34 positioned on the upper "side" of the support. The patch 20 is usually a strip of edges in parallel that encloses most of the fist as shown. The patch is again glued with stitches and stitched on the edges on the inner surface of the sleeve. The cuff can generate significant perspiration and therefore the liner 26 is perforated with the holes 33. The support 10 provides mechanical support for the cuff and the adjacent parts, but provides thermal therapy focused only on the hinge itself. Figures 17 to 19 show a bracket 10 adapted for use on a thigh. The sleeve 14 tapers to a narrower lower end near the knee. The patch 20 is a strip generally of parallel sides that generally extends vertically when used by a person standing, as shown in Figure 17. The patch 20 extends essentially through the full height of the sleeve, and it is wide enough to cover a group of selected main muscle or tendon extending along the thigh. The patch is shown placed above the front of the thigh to the quadriceps extensor muscles at this site. It can be rotated up to the upper part of the thigh to treat traction of the hamstring muscle, or a variety of other injuries or conditions in the thigh. The liner 26 is continuous, without openings 33. An elastic support has been described for joints and other parts of the body that provide both mechanical support and strategically placed therapeutic heating wherein the heating is generated by retaining body heat, not by thermal packs, electric heating coils or other external sources of thermal energy. The support provides these benefits while controlling the damaging effects of excessive moisture, galling and biting. The support is highly flexible, lightweight and compact. It also provides an improved degree of protection against injury or aggravation of injury induced by external shocks compared to conventional cuff-type supports. The support can be used during physical activity and for prolonged periods of time without a level of discomfort that forces the user to prematurely remove the support. Use commonly obtainable construction materials and techniques. Use small amounts of neoprene, or an equivalent material, in comparison with the supports manufactured entirely with a heat retaining layer; therefore it offers a reduced cost of materials. The stand is durable, durable, washable and easily capable of bending to pack for travel or for packaging at the point of sale. Although this invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various modifications and alterations of the foregoing detailed description and the accompanying drawings will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, even when the invention has been described with reference to supports for certain body parts, the features of this invention described herein can easily be adapted to produce other body parts such as the lower back, calf, shoulder and foot. Further, even when the patch has been described with a single liner 26, it can be formed of a material with two layers of elongation fabric covering a heat retaining layer, with or without holes 33 in one or both layers of fabric, and with a variety of fixation mechanisms. However, because the present patch 20 is used in combination with the elastic sleeve 14, this third layer of fabric, and its continuous adhesion to a heat retaining layer are not necessary. The patch may still be a single layer of unlined heat retention, but this arrangement presents significant problems of moisture and overheating when used through a clothing layer or the like. The holes 32 and 33 can take other forms, such as elongated slots or ovals, as long as sufficient air circulation is maintained and the structural integrity of the patch is not significantly degraded. The liner 26 has been shown to be co-extensive with the layer 24, but may cover less than the entire layer 24 or may extend beyond it to form a complete or partial liner of the entire inner surface of the sleeve 14, thus as the entire layer 24. There are disadvantages of clarity, comfort, durability and cost associated with these modifications. Also, even when the stretch fabrics have been described as being preferably woven nylon, they can be formed from other materials with similar properties and formed from knitted fabrics as well as woven fabrics. However, there may be many disadvantageous changes in elongation, resilient strength, durability, wash ability, odor retention, or other factors well known to those skilled in the art. These and other of these modifications and variations are intended to be within the scope of the attached amendments.

Claims (17)

CLAIMS;

1. An elastic support of a part of the body wherein the support provides therapeutic heat treatment strategically placed to a selected portion of that body part comprising: a main elastic support member formed of multidirectional elongation fabric surrounding the body part in a elongated condition when in use, a patch of a flexible laminate having a layer that retains the body heat that is dimensioned, configured and which places the main elastic support member in the selected portion to provide therapeutic treatment only to the portion of the selected body, a fixing means for securing the patch on the main elastic support member, and a plurality of holes extending through the layer that retain body heat in order to control the moisture in the body portion selected.

The therapeutic support of claim 1, wherein the patch is placed on an inner surface of the main elastic support member and further comprising, a liner secured to at least one patch and the main elastic support member and which is placed between the patch and the selected body portion.

3. The therapeutic support of claim 2, further comprising a rolling means for securing the liner in the patch.

4. The therapeutic support of the claim 3, where the lining is usually coextensive with the patch.

5. The therapeutic support of the claim 4, wherein the fixing means and the rolling means both comprise a common stitching along the periphery of the patch and the liner.

6. The therapeutic support of the claim 5, wherein the lamination means further includes adhesion by points of the liner in the patch to maintain them in an overlapping relationship during peripheral stitching.

7. The therapeutic support of the claim 4, wherein the liner has a plurality of holes aligned with the plurality of holes in the layer that retains body heat.

8. The therapeutic support of claim 2, wherein the liner is formed of a fabric that imbibes perspiration.

The therapeutic support of claim 1, wherein the patch is formed of a closed cell foam.

The therapeutic support of claim 1, wherein the elastic support member is usually a tubular sleeve.

11. The therapeutic support of the claim 10, wherein the sleeve has a dimensioned inner opening and which is positioned to accommodate a flexion of that part of the body.

The therapeutic support of claim 1, wherein the fixing and laminating means each is selected from the group consisting of (i) gumming of stitches and sewing of edges, (ii) stitching of edges, (iii) sewing ( iv) continuous adhesion, (v) thermal lamination, (vi) fixing of clasp and clasp, and (vii) any combination of (i) to (vi).

The therapeutic support of claim 1, wherein the body part is a knee and wherein the patch is (i) generally diamond-shaped, (ii) centered above the patella when the main elastic support member is in use, and (iii) extends vertically and horizontally to cover the patella immediately adjacent to the body tissue.

The therapeutic support of claim 1, wherein the body part is an elbow and wherein the patch is (i) generally diamond-shaped, (ii) positioned centered above the elbow when the elastic support member is in use, and (iii) extends vertically and horizontally to cover the elbow and immediately adjacent tissue.

15. The therapeutic support of the claim 1, wherein the part of the body is a thigh and wherein the patch is a strip that extends vertically dimensioned and placed to cover a group of the muscle that usually extends vertically from the thigh.

16. The therapeutic support of the claim 1, where the part of the body is a fist and the part is a strip that extends around the majority of the fist. The therapeutic support of claim 1, wherein the body part is an ankle wherein the patch is a strip that surrounds the article at the back and above the heel and is rounded at its two ends at the front of the ankle. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The athletic or orthopedic elastic supports (10) for body parts such as the knee, thigh or ankle have a generally tubular sleeve (14) made of a "multi-directional" elastic resilient elongation fabric surrounding the body part. . A patch (20) having at least one neoprene lamination (24) or the like is fixed inside the sleeve. The patch is sized, configured and placed on the support element to provide therapeutic heating to only a portion of the body part. Preferably, the patch includes a second lamination of an absorbent fabric liner (26) that is co-extensive with, and secured to, the neoprene layer. The neoprene layer has a plurality of holes (32) extending through it to remove moisture. The liner may have similar aligned holes. The lining and the patch are sewn, sewn on the edge, adhered, thermally laminated or otherwise fixed to each other and to the sleeve. For a knee or elbow, the patch is usually diamond-shaped with its wide ends truncated and the elastic sleeve may have an opening (34) on the back of the knee or on the inside of the elbow. For a fist, ankle or thigh, the patch for - - it is generally a strip (20) extending above the damaged region with openings (34) in the cuffs and the ankle for the thumb and heel, respectively. For an ankle, the strip is curved down its ends (40) to directly cover the ankle bone.