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An injured musculoskeletal structure is mobilized relative to a juxtaposing support structure surface to isolate the injured musculoskeletal structure from forces transferred from adjoining musculoskeletal structures in order to alleviate pain, discomfort, inflammation, and further injury associated

An injured musculoskeletal structure is mobilized relative to a juxtaposing support structure surface to isolate the injured musculoskeletal structure from forces transferred from adjoining musculoskeletal structures in order to alleviate pain, discomfort, inflammation, and further injury associated with such transferred forces.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A support device for protecting a musculoskeletal injury site involving a finger or thumb, comprising: a rigid support shell for receiving the finger or thumb, the rigid support shell having an interior surface defining an interior cavity, wherein the rigid support shell is configured to enclose

1. A support device for protecting a musculoskeletal injury site involving a finger or thumb, comprising: a rigid support shell for receiving the finger or thumb, the rigid support shell having an interior surface defining an interior cavity, wherein the rigid support shell is configured to enclose the finger or thumb such that the interior surface faces multiple phalanges of the finger or thumb on a palmar side and a volar side of the finger or thumb;an interface member positionable between the finger or thumb and the interior surface of the rigid support shell;the rigid support shell and the interface member sized and shaped to provide clearance space, when in use, between the interface member and the interior surface;the interior surface and the interface member configured to provide a low friction interface between each other, wherein the clearance space and the low friction interface are configured to allow the finger or thumb to move freely within the cavity of the rigid support shell; andan attachment device for attaching the support device to an adjacent musculoskeletal structure of the hand or arm. 2. The support device of claim 1, wherein the rigid support shell is in the shape of a tube. 3. The support device of claim 1, wherein the attachment device for attaching the support device to the adjacent musculoskeletal structure of the hand or arm comprises at least one of a tape, a strap, a tie, a clip, and a hook-and-loop fastener. 4. The support device of claim 1, wherein the interface member is a splint configured to be placed on the finger or thumb prior to inserting the finger or thumb into the rigid support shell. 5. The support device of claim 1, further comprising a splint to be placed on the finger or thumb and positioned between the interface member and the finger or thumb. 6. The support device of claim 1, wherein the interface member is formed of an elastic material. 7. The support device of claim 6, wherein the interface member is attached to the rigid support shell. 8. The support device of claim 7, wherein the interface member and the rigid support shell are attached only at respective end regions. 9. The support device of claim 7, wherein the interface member is in the shape of a tube. 10. The support device of claim 1, further comprising a tab attached to the rigid support shell. 11. The support device of claim 10, wherein the tab is rigid, resilient, or flexible. 12. The support device of claim 1, wherein the rigid support shell defines an opening for ventilation. 13. The support device of claim 1, wherein the interface member is not attached to the rigid support shell such that the interface member can be placed on the finger or thumb prior to inserting the finger or thumb into the rigid support shell. 14. A device for protecting a toe, comprising: a shoe configured as an orthotic support device;a liner received in the shoe, the liner having a slippery surface portion on which the toe rests in use, the slippery surface portion formed to mobilize the toe such that when the toe moves, the toe slides on a toe-facing juxtaposing surface of the slippery surface portion such that the slippery surface portion minimizes transfer of forces to the toe caused by resistance to sliding;the orthotic support device providing a rigid protective area about the toe, enlarged relative to the remainder of the orthotic support device, that provides clearance around the toe such that when the toe slides on the juxtaposing surface there is a clearance space around the toe; anda slip-resistant surface for limiting movement of the shoe relative to an adjacent healthy musculoskeletal structure of the foot or ankle. 15. The device of claim 14, further comprising a splint for attachment to the toe. 16. The device of claim 14, further comprising an interface member disposed between the toe and the slippery surface portion of the liner to facilitate movement of the toe relative to the juxtaposing surface of the liner. 17. The device of claim 16, further comprising the interface member formed as a sock configured to cover a wearer's foot, the sock configured for sliding engagement with the slippery surface portion on which the toe rests in use and configured for substantially non-sliding engagement with a different body-facing surface portion of the device. 18. The device of claim 14, wherein the slip-resistant surface is located under a wearer's heel. 19. The device of claim 14, further comprising a hook-and-loop fastener for limiting movement of the shoe relative to the healthy musculoskeletal structure of the foot or ankle. 20. The device of claim 14, wherein the liner is formed as all or part of an insole of the shoe. 21. The device of claim 14, further comprising an upstanding deflection member configured to at least partially cover the toe. 22. A method for protecting a musculoskeletal injury site, comprising: providing a rigid support shell having a slippery surface for facing a musculoskeletal injury site;limiting the transfer of force between the musculoskeletal injury site and the rigid support shell by providing clearance to limit contact therebetween;positioning the rigid support shell at the musculoskeletal injury site such that in use the musculoskeletal injury site slides on the slippery surface;limiting movement of the rigid support shell relative to a healthy musculoskeletal structure adjacent to the musculoskeletal injury site; andisolating the musculoskeletal injury site from the rigid support shell, such that the transfer of force to the musculoskeletal injury site is limited by limiting contact between the rigid support shell and the musculoskeletal injury site when the rigid support shell moves with a body portion to which the rigid support shell is attached. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the musculoskeletal injury site includes at least a portion of a finger or thumb and the rigid support shell extends beyond a distal end of the finger or thumb. 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising substantially limiting bending of the musculoskeletal injury site in a first direction. 25. The method of claim 22, further comprising at least partially enclosing the musculoskeletal injury site to protect against damaging contact. 26. The method of claim 22, further comprising sizing and shaping the rigid support shell to provide clearance between the rigid support shell and the musculoskeletal injury site such that the transfer of force between the rigid support shell and the musculoskeletal injury site is limited. 27. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing an interface member configured to provide a low friction interface between the slippery surface of the rigid support shell and the musculoskeletal injury site. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the interface member is placed on the musculoskeletal injury site prior to positioning the rigid support shell at the musculoskeletal injury site. 29. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a splint inside the rigid support shell, the splint being configured to be placed on the musculoskeletal injury site. 30. The method of claim 22, wherein isolating the musculoskeletal injury site comprises providing clearance space around a circumference of an interface member positioned over the musculoskeletal injury site. 31. The method of claim 22, wherein providing the rigid support shell includes providing a tab to the rigid support shell. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the tab is rigid, resilient, or flexible. 33. A support device for protecting a musculoskeletal injury site involving a finger or thumb, comprising: a support shell comprising a rigid wall defining a cavity for receiving at least a part of the finger or thumb, the rigid wall having an interior surface that extends along a length of the finger or thumb, the interior surface facing multiple phalanges of the finger or thumb;an interface member positionable between the finger or thumb and the interior surface of the support shell;the support shell and the interface member sized and shaped to provide clearance space, when in use, between the interface member and the interior surface;the interior surface and the interface member configured to provide a low friction interface between each other, wherein the clearance space and the low friction interface are configured to mobilize the finger or thumb such that the finger or thumb can move freely within the cavity of the support shell; andan attachment device for attaching the support device to an adjacent musculoskeletal structure of the hand or arm. 34. The support device of claim 33, wherein the support shell is in the shape of a tube. 35. The support device of claim 33, wherein the attachment device for attaching the support device to the adjacent musculoskeletal structure of the hand or arm comprises at least one of a tape, a strap, a tie, a clip, and a hook-and-loop fastener. 36. The support device of claim 33, wherein the interface member is formed of an elastic material. 37. The support device of claim 36, wherein the interface member is attached to the support shell. 38. The support device of claim 37, wherein the interface member and the support shell are attached only at respective end regions. 39. The support device of claim 37, wherein the interface member is in the shape of a tube. 40. The support device of claim 33, further comprising a tab attached to the support shell. 41. The support device of claim 40, wherein the tab is rigid, resilient, or flexible. 42. The support device of claim 33, wherein the support shell defines an opening for ventilation. 43. The support device of claim 33, wherein the interface member is not attached to the support shell such that the interface member can be placed on the finger or thumb prior to inserting the finger or thumb into the support shell. 44. A support device for protecting a musculoskeletal injury site involving a finger or thumb, comprising: a support shell comprising a rigid tube, the tube having an interior surface that defines a central cavity, the central cavity being configured to receive at least a part of the finger or thumb such that the interior surface covers multiple phalanges of the finger or thumb;an interface member sized and shaped to surround the finger or thumb, the tube and the interface member being configured to provide clearance space, when in use, between the interface member and the interior surface of the tube;the interior surface and the interface member configured to provide a low friction interface between each other, wherein the tube and the low friction interface are configured to allow the finger or thumb to move freely within the central cavity of the support shell; andan attachment device for attaching the support device to an adjacent musculoskeletal structure of the hand or arm. 45. The support device of claim 44, wherein the tube is cylindrical in shape. 46. The support device of claim 44, wherein the interface member is in the shape of a tube and formed of an elastic material. 47. The support device of claim 46, wherein the interface member is attached to the support shell. 48. The support device of claim 47, wherein the interface member and the support shell are attached only at respective end regions. 49. The support device of claim 44, wherein the interface member is a splint configured to be placed on the finger or thumb prior to inserting the finger or thumb into the support shell. 50. The support device of claim 44, further comprising a splint configured to be placed on the finger or thumb and positioned between the interface member and the finger or thumb. 51. The support device of claim 44, wherein the attachment device for attaching the support device to the adjacent musculoskeletal structure of the hand or arm comprises at least one of a tape, a strap, a tie, a clip, and a hook-and-loop fastener. 52. The support device of claim 44, further comprising a tab attached to the support shell. 53. The support device of claim 52, wherein the tab is rigid, resilient, or flexible. 54. The support device of claim 44, wherein the support shell defines an opening for ventilation. 55. The support device of claim 44, wherein the interface member is not attached to the support shell such that the interface member can be placed on the finger or thumb prior to inserting the finger or thumb into the support shell. 56. A support device for protecting a musculoskeletal injury site involving a finger or thumb, comprising: a support shell comprising a rigid wall, the rigid wall having an interior surface that defines an interior cavity for receiving the finger or thumb, the interior surface surrounding a length of the finger or thumb such that at least two phalanges of the finger or thumb are surrounded;an interface member configured to surround the length of the finger or thumb;the interface member and the support shell configured to provide clearance space, when in use, between the interior surface and the interface member;the interface member and the interior surface configured to provide a low friction interface between the support shell and the finger or thumb, wherein the clearance space and the low friction interface are configured to allow the finger or thumb to move freely within the cavity of the support shell; andan attachment device for attaching the support device to an adjacent musculoskeletal structure of the hand or arm. 57. The support device of claim 56, wherein the interface member is in the shape of a tube and formed of an elastic material. 58. The support device of claim 57, wherein the interface member is attached to the support shell. 59. The support device of claim 58, wherein the interface member and the support shell are attached only at respective end regions. 60. The support device of claim 56, wherein the interface member is not attached to the support shell such that the interface member can be placed on the finger or thumb prior to inserting the finger or thumb into the support shell. 61. The support device of claim 56, further comprising a tab attached to the support shell. 62. The support device of claim 61, wherein the tab is rigid, resilient, or flexible. 63. A device for protecting a musculoskeletal injury site of a patient involving a toe, comprising: a shoe configured as an orthotic support device;a liner configured as an insole of the shoe, the liner providing a surface on which a foot rests when the patient wears the shoe, the surface comprising: a first surface portion facing a bottom surface of the toe, the first surface portion formed of a slippery material, anda second surface portion facing a bottom surface of a heel of the foot, the second surface portion formed of a slip resistant material;an interface member disposed between the foot and the liner, the interface member providing a lower friction interface with the first surface portion and a higher friction interface with the second surface portion, wherein when the shoe is worn by the patient during walking, the first surface portion facilitates sliding movement of the toe relative to the liner, and wherein the second surface portion resists sliding movement of the heel of the foot relative to the liner; andan attachment device configured to limit movement of the heel of the foot relative to the shoe,the orthotic support device providing a rigid protective area about the toe. 64. The device of claim 63, wherein the rigid protective area provides clearance space around the end, top, and sides of the toe, the rigid protective area being sized and shaped to limit contact with the end, top, and sides of the toe when the shoe is worn by the patient during walking. 65. The device of claim 64, further comprising a splint for attachment to the toe.