Therapeutic support device

Claim 1

A proximal forearm therapeutic support band for alleviating the symptoms of the pathological lesion known as ''''tennis elbow'''' by applying restrictive pressure against expansion of the proximal forearm upon contraction of the musculature thereof, said support band comprising, a flexible, essentially inelastic body adapted to be secured around the proximal forearm immediately below the elbow in the general relaxed condition thereof, said body being substantially rectangularly shaped and having opposed side and end edges with a length between about 8 to 15 inches and a width between about 2 to 3 inches. said body being of a laminate-like construction including an inner layer made of elastomeric, friction material for providing a friction surface for holding said body against movement when disposed around said forearm, and an outer layer made of essentially inelastic, fibrous material disposed in engaged superimposed relation with said iNner layer, said inner and outer layers being secured to each other throughout their confronting surfaces to provide said laminatelike construction, said laminate-like construction of said body, as provided by said outer layer, having a maximum elongation between threeeighths to one-half inch when subjected to an axial load of between 10 lbs. to 20 lbs. per unit of length for controllably limiting radial expansion of the resistive force caused by tightening of the forearm muscle so as to prevent full contraction of the wrist tensor muscles during use thereof, and selectively adjustable fastener means disposed on the said body for securing said body in an adjustable loop along said forearm including a base member secured to said outer layer on the surface opposite said inner layer and disposed adjacent one end of said outer layer, said base member including a plurality of tooth-like projections, and at least one strap-like member secured to said outer layer on the surface opposite said inner layer and disosed adjacent the opposed end of said outer layer, said strap-like member including a mat-like fibrous layer for interlocking engagement with the projections on said base member to hold said body in encompassing relation around said forearm in the secured position of said fastener means.