Patent Publication Number: US-2023149198-A1

Title: Thumb Brace

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/921,042 filed Jul. 6, 2020, entitled “Thumb Brace,” which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/871,281 filed Jul. 8, 2019, entitled “Thumb Brace.” The present application is also a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/430,968 filed Jun. 4, 2019, entitled “Thumb Brace,” which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/284,768 filed Oct. 4, 2016, entitled “Thumb Brace,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,349,692, which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/083,394 filed Mar. 29, 2016, entitled “Thumb Brace,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,504,282, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/288,112 filed Jan. 28, 2016, entitled “Thumb Brace,” all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The joint where the thumb connects to the wrist may be referred to as the carpometacarpal joint, the CMC joint, or the basal joint of the thumb. Arthritis affecting the CMC joint affects millions of people and may be caused by genetic inherited factors and/or wear and tear on the joint with repeated use over many years. Thumb CMC arthritis may cause pain during gripping and pinching actions and may limit hand function. Such symptoms may begin when patients are in their fifties and still active. 
     There is no cure for arthritis. Current treatments for thumb CMC arthritis include suggesting that patients modify their activity by doing less with their hands, suggesting that patients take arthritis medication, applying splints or braces to the affected area, injecting cortisone into the affected area, and performing surgery on the affected area. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an embodiment, a thumb brace is provided. The thumb brace comprises: a glove having a thumb portion disposed between a palm side and a back side and comprising a first attachment region positioned adjacent a base of the thumb portion and a second attachment region positioned on the back side of the glove; a first elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove, whereby the first strap extends a distal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the brace; a second elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the palm side of the glove and the second end is releasably attached to the second attachment region, whereby the second strap reduces a proximal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the brace; and a pad attached to the glove and positioned proximate the second attachment region and adjacent the base of the thumb portion on the back side of the glove such that the pad cushions a CMC joint of the user of the brace from impact 
     In another embodiment, a thumb brace is provided. The thumb brace comprises: a glove comprising first, second, and third hook and loop fasteners, wherein the first hook and loop fastener provides an adjustable cuff opening for the glove; the second hook and loop fastener connects first and second ends of a first elastic strap positioned on the glove to extend a distal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the glove; the third hook and loop fastener connects the second end of a second elastic strap positioned on the glove to reduce a proximal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the glove; and a pad attached to the glove and positioned proximate the base of the thumb such that the pad cushions a CMC joint of the user of the brace from impact. 
     In another embodiment, a method for aligning a thumb metacarpal bone with a trapezium bone via a thumb brace comprising a glove, a pad, and a strap system, the method comprising: placing the glove on a hand experiencing subluxation of the thumb metacarpal bone; extending a distal end of the thumb metacarpal bone by releasably connecting a first elastic strap of the strapping system to a first attachment region on the glove; and reducing a proximal end of the thumb metacarpal bone by releasably connecting a second elastic strap to a second attachment region of the glove, and the method further comprising cushioning a CMC joint of the user of the brace from impact via the pad. 
     These and other features will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates dorsal subluxation of the proximal end of the thumb metacarpal bone in a patient with arthritis in the thumb metacarpal bone. 
         FIG.  2    is a side view of a thumb brace according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a back view of a thumb brace according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a side view of a thumb brace according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a side view of a thumb brace according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a back view of a thumb brace according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a palm view of a thumb brace according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a view of a cradle area of a thumb brace according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is another view of a cradle area of a thumb brace according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    is another view of a cradle area of a thumb brace according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates an outline of a thumb brace superimposed over a dorsal view of the bones of a left human hand according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  12    illustrates an outline of a thumb brace superimposed over a palmar view of the bones of a left human hand according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  13    is a side view of a thumb brace illustrating the attachment of a strapping system to the thumb brace according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  14    is a flowchart of a method for aligning a thumb metacarpal bone with a trapezium bone according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  15    illustrates an embodiment of a pad  300 . 
         FIGS.  16 - 17    are perspective views showing the positioning of pad  300  with respect to a thumb and associated CMC joint of a left hand of a user of a thumb brace comprising the pad  300 . 
         FIGS.  18 - 20    are perspective views of an embodiment of a thumb brace  200  further comprising a pad, for example pad  300  in accordance with  FIGS.  15 - 17   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It should be understood at the outset that although an illustrative implementation of one or more embodiments are provided below, the disclosed systems and/or methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary designs and implementations illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates dorsal subluxation (as represented by arrow  40 ) of the proximal end  5  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  in a patient with arthritis in the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint  25 . During routine pinching and grasping activities, significant forces may be applied across the CMC joint  25  in an area of the joint about the size of a nickel. When arthritis is not present, these forces may be spread evenly over the ends of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  and the trapezium bone  20  at the interface where those two bones meet. With repeated use, the shear stress on the CMC joint  25  may cause wear on the cartilage caps on the proximal end  5  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  and the distal end  22  of the trapezium bone  20 . Subsequent inflammation may stretch the capsule and ligaments around the CMC joint  25 . As a result, the proximal end  5  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  may sublux dorsally (as represented by arrow  40 ) away from the trapezium bone  20 , and the distal end  30  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  may move in the opposite direction (as represented by arrow  50 ), toward the palm. This orientation of the thumb metacarpal causes all of the forces that were previously spread evenly over the ends of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  and the trapezium bone  20  to become concentrated in only the small portion of the CMC joint  25  where the thumb metacarpal and the trapezium now meet. More specifically, with the thumb metacarpal bone  10  in a dorsal subluxation, it can be seen that the forces between the thumb metacarpal bone  10  and the trapezium bone  20 , indicated by opposing reference arrows  60  and  62 , are concentrated in a small area  70  rather than being distributed evenly across the entire interface between the thumb metacarpal bone  10  and the trapezium bone  20  as would be the case if the thumb metacarpal bone  10  and the trapezium bone  20  were properly aligned. With only a portion of the CMC joint  25  surface absorbing the repeated load, the cartilage may fail and arthritis and pain may develop. 
     A thumb splint may stabilize or immobilize the thumb and reduce the pain experienced by a patient with such a condition. However, a patient may not be able to satisfactorily engage in sports or other vigorous activities while wearing a thumb splint since the splint may impede use of the hand. Gloves designed for use by arthritic patients while playing golf or engaging in other activities merely provide padding around the joints and do not stabilize the thumb. 
     Referring to the Figures and the related disclosure herein, various embodiments of a thumb brace  200  are provided that stabilize and align the thumb metacarpal bone  10  without impeding the wearer&#39;s ability to engage in sports or other activities. The thumb brace  200  comprises a glove  100  and a strap system  105  that includes a first strap  110  designed to lift or extend the distal end  30  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  and a second strap  150  designed to reduce the dorsal subluxation at the proximal end  5  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  at the CMC joint  25 . These two forces (e.g., counter-rotating forces applied proximate and opposite reference arrows  40  and  50 ) provided by straps  110  and  150  align and stabilize the CMC joint  25  such that the load is distributed across the entire joint interface, thereby reducing pain and abnormal wear on the CMC joint  25 . 
     As used herein, the term “glove” may refer to any article in which a hand may be inserted and that at least partially contacts and at least partially covers the back of the hand and the palm of the hand. Referring to  FIG.  3   , the glove may also include finger elements, e.g.,  130 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133 , into which fingers can be inserted. A finger element may be present for each of the four fingers, or one or more finger elements may be absent to allow one or more fingers to be free to perform activities that may be hindered by the presence of a finger element. Additionally or alternatively, each finger element may be a full element enclosing the entire length and tip of a given finger, or may be a partial or shortened finger element where a portion of the finger is covered and the remaining portion extending to the tip is uncovered. That is, when a finger element is present, the finger element may cover the entire finger, or the finger element may cover only a portion of the finger and the rest of the finger may be exposed. In an embodiment, the glove comprise 4 finger elements, alternatively 3 finger elements, alternatively 2 finger elements, alternatively 1 finger element, or alternatively no finger elements; and each finger element that is present may independently be a full or partial finger element. The glove disclosed herein includes a thumb element into which a thumb can be inserted. The thumb element may cover the entire thumb or only a lower portion of the thumb, for example terminating at the joint between proximal and distal phalanges of the thumb. 
     The strap system  105  disclosed herein can be incorporated into any suitable glove for any suitable purpose to provide therapeutic support to a person having thumb CMC arthritis and wearing the glove during a given activity. Examples of suitable gloves for use with the currently described thumb brace  200  include those designed or configured for activities such as construction, where users work with hardware such as hammers, saws, nail guns, building materials, and the like; oil and gas exploration and production, where users such as roughnecks work with heavy equipment on onshore and offshore drilling rigs; motorsports and transportation service and repair, where mechanics work with tools, impact wrenches, jacks, and the like; logging, where users work with chainsaws and axes; tactical operations performed by military and law enforcement personnel; cutting activities performed by butchers, commercial fisherman, or meat processing workers; outdoor activities, where users grip a variety of specialized equipment while participating in activities such as golf, tennis, baseball, softball, dirt biking, snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding, hunting, fishing, hiking, climbing, cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, water skiing, wake boarding, and the like; lawn and gardening, where users work with a variety of hand tools such as hoes, shovels, rakes, mowers, trimmers, and the like; and home improvement, where weekend warriors undertake a myriad of home improvement activities. Further examples of suitable gloves for use with the currently described thumb brace  200  include one or more of the various types of Mechanix Wear® gloves, commercially available from Mechanix Wear, Inc. Further examples of suitable gloves for use with the currently described thumb brace  200  include one or more of the various golf, batting, or other sporting gloves commercially available from FootJoy, Nike, Callaway, Titleist, Taylor Made, Dunlop, Bionic, Puma, Pocketec, Mizuno, Bridgestone, Under Armour, Franklin, Easton, and others. 
     In an embodiment, the glove  100  comprises a partial thumb element terminating at the joint between proximal and distal phalanges of the thumb and 4 partial finger elements terminating at about (e.g., adjacent or proximate to) the joint between the proximal and middle phalange of each finger, for example of the type commonly referred to as a workout or weight lifting glove. In an embodiment, the glove  100  comprises three full finger elements covering the middle, ring, and pinky fingers, and a partial finger element for the index finger, for example of the type commonly referred to as a shooting glove allowing easy access of the index finger to a trigger of a firearm. In an embodiment, the glove  100  has 4 full finger elements and a full thumb element and is not substantially thicker than existing golf gloves, batting gloves, or the like and therefore does not impede the wearer&#39;s ability to engage in sports or other activities such as golf, tennis, baseball or softball. In an embodiment, the glove  100  is of a type commonly referred to and configured as a batting glove for use in baseball or softball. 
     In an embodiment, the glove  100  is of a type commonly referred to and configured as a golf glove, and for ease of reference the remainder of the description herein will be in the context of a golf glove embodiment with the understanding that the concepts and designs herein (e.g., the strap system  105  as described herein) may be incorporated into any suitable glove for any suitable purpose. Golf gloves typically have a natural or synthetic leather palm and a variety of fabric backs, often incorporating one or more cooling elements such as vents (e.g., perforations); flexible mesh portions (e.g., across the kunckles); stretchable, moisture-wicking, and/or breathable fabric; and combinations thereof. The palm and/or palm side of one or more of the finger elements may further incorporate a number of texturing options to improve grip. Referring to  FIG.  3   , a golf glove may have an adjustable cuff, for example an elastic cuff or an adjustably sized cuff as provided by a tab closure such as flap  90  on the back of the glove (i.e., dorsal or back side of the hand) that may be opened or closed by way of a fastener such as a hook and loop fasteners, zipper, etc. The flap  90  has an external face or surface  92  that is typically a smooth fabric (often adorned by a manufacturer&#39;s logo) in a standard golf glove (but, in contrast, embodiments according to the present disclosure may further comprise second attachment region  160  on external flap surface  92 , as will be described in detail herein). The flap  90  typically further comprises an interior face or surface comprising a first portion (e.g., loop portion) of the hook and loop fastener. The flap  90  overlaps a portion  94  of the back of the glove having disposed thereon the opposite portion of the hook and loop fastener (e.g., the hook portion) such that the glove flap  90  may be adjustably closed and opened by engaging and disengaging, respectively, the hook and loop fastener portions associated with the flap  90  and overlapped portion  94  of the back of the glove. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , in addition to glove  100 , the thumb brace  200  comprises a strap system  105 , which may be combined or incorporated with any suitable glove as described herein. The strap system  105  further comprises a first strap  110 , a second strap  150 , a first attachment region  140 , and a second attachment region  160 . As used herein, the term “strap” may refer to any article that is substantially longer than wide, for example a rectangular shape of various dimensions. In some embodiments disclosed herein, the strap may be made of a stretchable, elastic material to allow the strap to be stretched such that the ends of the strap may be placed in various desired locations on the attachment regions. Examples of suitable stretchable, elastic material include elastomeric fabrics, for example fabrics comprising fibers made from natural or synthetic elastomeric materials such as natural or synthetic rubber, spandex or elastane, lastol, and elasterell-p. As described in more detail below and shown in  FIG.  2   , first strap  110  may be a single, continuous piece of material having a first end  111  and a second end  112 . Alternatively, first strap  110  may be two separate pieces of material (also referred to as first and second lengths, members, sections, or halves of the first strap), each of which having an end that performs a function similar to that performed by a corresponding end  111  or  112  of a single piece of material. In an embodiment, the first strap  110  may have a total combined, unstretched length of about 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, or 12 inches, and a width of about 0.25, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, or 1.25 inches. Excess length may be trimmed by a user to provide a customized fitting. In an embodiment, the first strap  110  has a length in a range of from about 7 to 9 inches and a width in a range of from about 0.25 to 0.75 inches. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , a central portion  115  of the first strap  110  is disposed in a region of the glove  100  where a thumb element  120  of the glove  100  merges with a first finger element  130  of the glove  100 . Several embodiments for disposing the first strap  110  within this region of the glove (e.g., cradle  118 ) will be discussed below with reference to  FIGS.  8 ,  9 , and  10   . As shown in  FIG.  4   , first end  111  of the first strap  110  remote from the central portion  115  may be stretched, placed over and in contact with a dorsal region  116  of the glove  100  adjacent the base of the thumb of the glove, further wrapped around and in contact with the base of the thumb, and attached to the glove  100  via first attachment region  140 . The second end  112  of the first strap  110  remote from the central portion  115  may be stretched, placed over and in contract with a palmar region  117  (as shown in  FIG.  7   ) of the glove  100  adjacent the thumb of the glove, further wrapped around and in contact with the base of the thumb, placed over and in contact with the first end  111  adjacent the termination thereof, and attached to the glove  100  via an unused or open portion of the first attachment region  140 . Alternatively, the ends  111  and  112  of the first strap  110  may be attached to the first attachment region  140  in the reverse order. 
     The first attachment region  140  provides a complementary mating or attachment surface for the ends  111  and  112  of first strap  110  such that the ends  111  and  112  will be held securely in place upon contact with first attachment region  140 . As such ends  111  and  112  and first attachment region  140  may comprise a complementary portion of a fastener such as a hook and loop fabric attachment system such as Velcro® brand hook and loop fastener. In the embodiments shown in the Figures, the attachment of ends  111  and  112  of first strap  110  to the first attachment region  140  of glove  100  occurs through the use of a hook and loop fabric fastener. In other embodiments, other attachment means or fasteners, such as snaps or buttons, may be used. It should be understood that when attachment by a hook and loop fastener is described herein, one of the two surfaces being attached includes the hook fabric portion of the fastener and the other surface includes the loop fabric portion, and typically the hook and loop fabric portions may be placed on either surface opposite each other (that is, the hook and loop fabric portions of the fastener are typically reversible in position or sequence). 
     In an embodiment shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , at least a portion of the underside  113  of the first strap  110  adjacent the ends  111  and  112  comprises the loop fabric portion of the hook and loop fastener, that is, the underside  113  of ends  111  and  112  of the first strap  110  that attach to and detach from the first attachment region  140  of glove  100 . At least a portion of the exterior surface  142  of the first attachment region  140  of the glove  100  comprises the hook fabric portion of the hook and loop fastener. The hook and loop fabric portions of the fastener may be attached to the glove  100  and first strap  110 , respectively, by any suitable attachment means such as stitching and/or adhesive. 
     The first attachment region  140  of glove  100  (e.g., comprising the hook fabric portion of the fastener) may be positioned such that upon stretching and attaching ends  111  and  112  of first strap  110  as described herein, a force counter to the direction of subluxation of metacarpal bone  10  is applied to the distal end  30  of metacarpal bone  10  as shown by reference arrow  1020  in  FIG.  13   . In an embodiment, the first attachment region  140  of glove  100  (e.g., comprising the hook fabric portion of the fastener) may be disposed on the dorsal side of the hand adjacent the base of the thumb, for example between the base of the thumb and the wrist, or alternatively at or adjacent where the thumb and wrist meet (e.g., at or adjacent the intersection of the trapezium  20  and the scaphoid bone). In an embodiment, the first attachment region  140  of glove  100  (e.g., comprising the hook fabric portion of the fastener) may be disposed on the dorsal side of the hand adjacent the base of the thumb, for example between the base of the thumb and the wrist, or alternatively at or adjacent where the thumb and wrist meet (e.g., at or adjacent the intersection of the trapezium  20  and the scaphoid bone), wherein about equal surface area is symmetrically disposed on either side of axis  145  running along a surface ridge of the thumb (e.g., positioned adjacent a base of the thumb, or thumb portion of the glove, along a midline defined by axis  145  where the palm side of the glove and the back side of the glove meet). In an embodiment, the first attachment region  140  of glove  100  (e.g., comprising the hook fabric portion of the fastener) may be disposed on the radial side of the wrist and dorsal to the thumb CMC joint  25 . In an embodiment, the first attachment region  140  of glove  100  (e.g., comprising the hook fabric portion of the fastener) may be disposed on the radial side of the wrist between the CMC joint  25  and the intersection of the trapezium  20  and the scaphoid bone. 
     The first attachment region  140  may be of any suitable size and shape. In an embodiment, the first attachment region  140  may have a surface area in a range of between about 0.25 in 2  and about 5 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 0.25 in 2  and about 4 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 0.5 in 2  and about 4 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 0.75 in 2  and about 3 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 1 in 2  and about 3 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 1 in 2  and about 2.5 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 1.5 in 2  and about 3.5 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 1.5 in 2  and about 3.0 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 2.0 in 2  and about 4 in 2 ; or alternatively, between about 2.0 in 2  and about 3.5 in 2 . 
     In an embodiment, the first attachment region  140  may include one or more indicators to indicate preferred positions at which the ends  111  and  112  of the first strap  110  should be attached to the first attachment region  140 . For example, as shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  11   , the first attachment region  140  has the shape of an “X” or a cross, where each leg of the “X” indicates a preferred alignment of one of the ends  111  or  112  of the first strap  110 . In other embodiments, the first attachment region  140  may have another shape, such as an oval, circle, star, square, or rectangle. In such cases, preferred alignments of the ends  111  and  112  of the first strap  110  may be indicated by lines, coloring, contrasting, or other indicators superimposed or otherwise visible on the first attachment region  140 . For example, an indicator forming an “X” shape substantially similar to that shown in  FIG.  2   , or any other indicator providing a preferred alignment position for ends  111  and  112  of first strap  110 , may be printed or otherwise shown, for example via contrasting hook and loop fastener fabric color forming the alignment pattern. 
     When a person dons the glove  100 , each end  111  and  112  of the first strap  110  may be passed over one side or the other of the wearer&#39;s thumb and attached to the first attachment region  140  via the hook and loop fastener, and the ends  111  and  112  may be attached in any order. The first attachment region  140  may be of such a size that, after the first end  111  (having a loop portion of the fastener) of the first strap  110  is attached, a sufficient amount of hook fastener remains exposed such that the second end  112  of the first strap  110  (having a loop portion of the fastener) may be positioned over the first end  111  and attached to the glove by means of the remaining exposed portion of hook fastener in the first attachment region  140 . In an embodiment, a topside surface of first strap  110  opposite the underside  113  and adjacent the first end  111  may comprise a portion of hook fastener such that after the first end  111  is attached to the glove, the second end  112  of first strap  110  may be positioned over the first end  111  and attached to the glove by both the topside surface of first strap  110  adjacent the first end  111  and by means of the remaining exposed portion of hook fastener in the first attachment region  140 . As described herein, the first strap  110  may be made of an elastic material that allows the ends  111  and  112  of the first strap  110  to be stretched to a desired position on the first attachment region  140 . 
     When the ends  111  and  112  of the first strap  110  are tautly stretched and attached to the first attachment region  140  in such a manner as described herein, the first strap  110  lifts or extends the distal portion  30  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10 , for example as shown by reference arrow  1020  in  FIG.  13   . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the strap system  105  further comprises a second strap  150 . The second strap  150  may be made of an elastic material that allows the second strap  150  to be stretched to a desired position on the second attachment region  160 . In an embodiment, the second strap  150  may have a total combined, unstretched length of about 4, 4.0, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, or 12 inches, and a width of about 0.25, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.25, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.75, 1.8, 1.9, or 2.0 inches. Excess length may be trimmed by a user to provide a customized fitting. In an embodiment, the second strap  150  has a length in a range of from about 4 to 6 inches and a width in a range of from about 0.75 to 1.25 inches. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , a first end  151  of the second strap  150  may be attached to the glove  100  near the palm side of the wrist portion of the glove  100 . In an embodiment, the first end  151  of the second strap  150  may be attached to the glove  100  near the palm side of the wrist portion of the glove  100  along an axis  153  extending substantially parallel with a mid-line of the index finger element of the glove. In alternative embodiments, the first end  151  of the second strap  150  may be positioned substantially parallel with and from about 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.9, or 1.0 inches on either side of axis  153 . In alternative embodiments, the first end  151  of the second strap may be positioned at an angle with respect to axis  153  and having opposing ends terminating at a location from about 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.9, or 1.0 inches on either side of axis  153 . The first end  151  of the second strap  150  may be fixedly attached to the glove  100  by stitching, adhesive (e.g., glue), or other known attachment means. Alternatively, the first end  151  of the second strap  150  may be removably attached to the glove  100 , for example via hook and loop fastener, wherein the underside  155  of second strap  150  comprises loop fabric and contacts an area of hook fabric disposed on (e.g., stitched and/or adhered) the palm of the glove proximate the locations described in this paragraph. Removably attaching the second strap  150  to the glove  100  by hook and loop fastener allows the user to adjust the length of the second end  152  of the second strap  150  by varying the placement thereof, or otherwise adjust the positioning, comfort, or support provided by the thumb brace  200 . In an embodiment, rather than the second strap  150  being a separate component that is attached to the glove  100 , the glove  100  may be manufactured such that first end  151  of the second strap  150  is an integral component of the glove  100  near the palm side of the wrist portion of the glove  100 . 
     After the ends  111  and  112  of the first strap  110  have been attached to the first attachment region  140  as described above, the second, loose end  152  of the second strap  150  may be stretched, wrapped around and in contact with an area  154  adjacent the base of the thumb of the glove (as shown in  FIG.  7   ), passed over and substantially covering and in contact with ends  111  and  112  attached to the first attachment region  140 , and attached to a second attachment region  160  on the back (i.e., dorsal) side of the wrist portion of the glove  100 .  FIG.  5    illustrates a side view,  FIG.  6    illustrates a back or dorsal view, and  FIG.  7    illustrates a palm side view of the glove  100  after the ends  111  and  112  of first strap  110  and the second end  152  of the second strap  150  have been attached to the first attachment region  140  and the second attachment region  160 , respectively, of the glove  100  as described above. In passing over the CMC joint  25  in this manner (as shown in  FIGS.  6    and  11 ), the second strap  150  may pass over the ends  111  and  112  of the first strap  110 , thereby further securing the ends  111  and  112  of the first strap  110  to the first attachment region  140 . Stretching the second strap  150  taut and attaching the second end  152  of the second strap  150  to the second attachment region  160  of the glove  100  in such a manner provides a force vector palmarly at the dorsal CMC joint  25  to help reduce dorsal subluxation of the thumb metacarpal bone  10 , for example as represented by reference arrow  1010  in  FIG.  13   . With the first strap  110  extending the distal portion  30  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  (as represented by reference arrow  1020 ) and the second strap  150  reducing dorsal subluxation of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  (as represented by reference arrow  1010 ), the alignment of the CMC joint  25  is improved. The entire joint thus shares in any load on the joint, and pain and abnormal wear on the joint are reduced. 
     The second attachment region  160  provides a complementary mating or attachment surface for the second end  152  of second strap  150  such that second end  152  will be held securely in place upon contact with second attachment region  160 . As such second end  152  and second attachment region  160  may comprise a complementary portion of a fastener such as a hook and loop fabric attachment system such as Velcro® brand hook and loop fastener. In the embodiments shown in the Figures, the attachment of second end  152  of second strap  150  to the second attachment region  160  of glove  100  occurs through the use of a hook and loop fabric fastener. Alternatively, attachment of the second strap  150  to the back side of the wrist portion of the glove  100  may occur via snaps, buttons or other attachment means. 
     In an embodiment shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  3 , and  4   , at least a portion of the underside  155  of the second strap  150  adjacent the second end  152  comprises the loop fabric portion of the hook and loop fastener, that is the side of the second strap  150  that attaches to and detaches from the second attachment region  160  of glove  100 . At least a portion of the exterior surface  162  of the second attachment region  160  of the glove  100  comprises the hook portion of the hook and loop fastener such that the second strap  150  may attach to the back side of the wrist portion of the glove  100  by means of the hook and loop fastener. The hook and loop fabric portions of the fastener may be attached to the glove  100  and second strap  150 , respectively, by any suitable attachment means such as stitching and/or adhesive. 
     The second attachment region  160  of glove  100  (e.g., comprising the hook fabric portion of the fastener) may be positioned such that upon stretching and attaching second end  152  of second strap  150  as described herein, a force counter to the direction of subluxation of metacarpal bone  10  is applied to the proximal end  5  of metacarpal bone  10  as shown by reference arrow  1010  in  FIG.  13   . The second attachment region  160  may be located on the back or dorsal side of the glove  100 , for example in an area located near the midsection of the back of the glove. With reference to an x-y axis  80  having an origin at the leftmost edge of the wrist of the glove  100  as shown in  FIG.  3   , the second attachment region  160  may be located anywhere substantially within a region defined as from about 0.5 to about 3 inches from the origin along the x axis and from about 0.5 to about 3.5 inches from the origin along the y axis; alternatively, within a region defined as from about 1.0 to about 2.5 inches from the origin along the x axis and from about 0.5 to about 3.5 inches from the origin along they axis; alternatively, within a region defined as from about 1.0 to about 2.5 inches from the origin along the x axis and from about 1.0 to about 3.0 inches from the origin along the y axis; or alternatively, within a region defined as from about 1.0 to about 2.5 inches from the origin along the x axis and from about 1.0 to about 2.5 inches from the origin along the y axis. As shown in  FIG.  3   , in an embodiment, second attachment region  160  may be located on the back side of the glove between the edge or cuff  96  of the glove  100  and a knuckle portion  97  of the glove  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , many golf gloves and other gloves of the type described herein include a strap, tab or flap  90  that may be used to loosen or tighten the glove around the wearer&#39;s wrist. In an embodiment, the back side of flap  90 , that is, the external flap surface  92  facing away from the glove  100 , may be the second attachment region  160  which includes a hook fabric portion of the fastener and to which the second end  152  of the second strap  150  (having a loop fabric portion) may be attached. In an embodiment, the second attachment region  160  comprises a patch of hook fabric having a corresponding size and shape about equal to the flap  90  and stitched onto the external flap surface  92  of flap  90 , as is shown in  FIG.  3   . In other embodiments, the second attachment region  160  may have any suitable shape, such as an oval, circle, star, square, or rectangle. If a glove does not include such a flap  90 , a portion of the fastener (e.g., a hook portion of fabric) to provide the second attachment region  160  may be placed on any portion of the back side of the glove that allows the second strap  150  to be positioned to provide the desired reduction in dorsal subluxation of the thumb metacarpal bone  10 . 
     The second attachment region  160  may be of any suitable size and shape. In an embodiment, the second attachment region  160  may have a surface area in a range of between about 0.25 in 2  and about 5 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 0.25 in 2  and about 4 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 0.5 in 2  and about 4 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 0.75 in 2  and about 3 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 1 in 2  and about 3 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 1 in 2  and about 2.5 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 1.5 in 2  and about  3 . 5  in 2 ; alternatively, between about 1.5 in 2  and about 3.0 in 2 ; alternatively, between about 2.0 in 2  and about 4 in 2 ; or alternatively, between about 2.0 in 2  and about 3.5 in 2 . In an embodiment, the second attachment region  160  may include one or more indicators to indicate preferred positions at which the second end  152  of the second strap  150  should be attached to the second attachment region  160 . 
     The strap system  105  may be operatively positioned in relationship to, and optionally coupled with, the glove  100  to provide the therapeutic effects to the user as described herein. For example, one or more components of the strap system  105  (e.g., the first strap  110 , the second strap  150 , the first attachment region  140 , and the second attachment region  160 ) may be integrated into, combined with, or attached to the glove  100  in a variety of configurations. By way of further example, the central portion  115  of the first strap  110  may be disposed in several different manners at the region of the glove  100  where the thumb element  120  of the glove  100  merges with the first finger element  130  of the glove  100 . For convenience, this region may be referred to hereinafter as the cradle  118  (or alternatively a saddle region). 
       FIG.  8    illustrates one manner in which the first strap  110  may be disposed at the cradle  118 . In this embodiment, the first strap  110  is a single piece of material the central portion  115  of which may be fixedly attached to the exterior of the glove  100  at the cradle  118  by stitching  119 , forming a contact region  121  between underside  113  of the first strap  110  and the cradle  118  of glove  100 . In alternative embodiments, the first strap  110  is a single piece of material the central portion  115  of which may be fixedly attached to the exterior of the glove  100  at the cradle  118  by adhesive (e.g., glue) in contact region  121 , a combination of adhesive and stitching in contact region  121 , or other such known attachment means. In alternative embodiments, the first strap  110  is a single piece of material the central portion  115  of which may be removably attached to the exterior of the glove  100  at the cradle  118  by a temporary attachment such as a hook and loop fastener, or other such known attachment means. For example, contact region  121  may comprise a strip of hook fabric (e.g., having a width about equal to the width of the first strap  110 ) stitched to the outer surface of cradle  118 . The first strap  110  may then be adjustably attached to the glove  100  by selectively engaging and disengaging the strip of hook fabric with the loop fabric located on the underside  113  of the first strap  110 . Removably attaching the first strap  110  to the cradle  118  by hook and loop fastener allows the user to adjust the length of the ends  111  and  112  of the first strap  110  by varying the placement of the central portion  115  on the contact region  121 , or otherwise adjust the positioning, comfort, or support provided by the thumb brace  200 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, contact region  121  does not comprise an attachment means, that is the first strap  110  is in contact with the cradle  118  during use but is not otherwise fixedly or removably attached to the glove  100  by stitching, adhesive, hook and loop fastener, etc. For example, first end  111  of a loose (i.e., not otherwise attached) first strap  110  may be attached to the first attachment region  140  (e.g., via hook and loop fastener or other fastener such as a snap such as the type that are sometimes included on golf gloves for holding a removable ball marker); the first strap  110  stretched and wrapped around the thumb and into contact with the cradle  118 ; and the second end  112  of the first strap  110  attached to the first attachment region  140  to provide the attachment configuration for the first strap  110  as shown in  FIG.  4    and described in detail herein. In another embodiment, contact region  121  does not comprise an attachment means and either first end  111  or second end  112  of the first strap  110  is fixedly attached proximate the first attachment region  140 , such as via stitching such as that shown in  FIG.  7    with respect to first end  151  of second strap  150 . For example, first end  111  of first strap  110  may be fixedly attached to the first attachment region  140  via stitching and/or adhesive; the first strap  110  stretched and wrapped around the thumb and into contact with the cradle  118 ; and the second end  112  of the first strap  110  attached to the first attachment region  140  to provide the attachment configuration for the first strap  110  as shown in  FIG.  4    and described in detail herein. In the embodiments of  FIG.  8   , the entirety of the first strap  110  is disposed on the exterior of the glove  100 . 
       FIG.  9    illustrates another manner in which the first strap  110  may be disposed at the cradle  118 . In this embodiment, the first strap  110  is again a single piece of material, but the entirety of the first strap  110  is not disposed on the exterior of the glove  100 , as in the embodiment of  FIG.  8   . Instead, a central portion  115  of the first strap  110  passes through the interior of the glove  100  beneath the cradle  118  (i.e., on the inside glove surface of the cradle  118 ). The first end  111  of the first strap  110  emerges from the interior of the glove  100  on the dorsal side of the cradle  118  via an opening such as slit  127 , and the second end  112  of the first strap  110  emerges from the interior of the glove  100  on the palmar side of the cradle via an opening such as slit  129 . The first strap  110  may optionally be attached to the glove  100  near the slits  127  and  129  where each end emerges from the interior of the glove  100 . Alternatively or additionally, the portion of the first strap  110  that passes through the interior of the glove  100  may be attached to the interior of the glove, thus forming an interior contact region analogous to contact region  121 . Again, the attachment may occur by stitching, adhesive, or other known attachment means. As another alternative, the central portion  115  of the first strap  110  may not be attached to the glove  100  near the cradle  118  but instead may be allowed to at least partially slide in and out of slits  127  and  129  and through the interior of the glove  100  under the cradle  118 , for example similar to a belt passing through a belt loop. In this alternative, attachment of the first strap  110  to the glove  100  occurs only by ends  111  and  112  in contact with the first attachment region  140 , and the central portion  115  of the first strap  110  is held in place by the portion disposed on the interior glove surface between the slits  127  and  129 . For example, first end  111  of first strap  110  may be attached to the first attachment region  140  (e.g., via hook and loop fastener or other fastener such as a snap such as the type that are sometimes included on golf gloves for holding a removable ball marker), and the first strap  110  is free to slide through the slits  127  and  129  during attachment of the first end  111 ; the second end  112  of the first strap  110  may be stretched with the central portion  115  passing through an interior surface of the glove between slits  127  and  129 ; and the second end  112  of the first strap  110  attached to the first attachment region  140  to provide the attachment configuration for the first strap  110  as shown in  FIG.  4    and described in detail herein. Configuring the first strap  110  in the manner of  FIG.  9    may reduce the profile of the glove  100  (e.g., the palm of the glove  100  has a substantially uniform surface without any ridges or edges associated with the first strap  110  to interfere with gripping an article such as a golf club), and thereby improve the feel and mobility of the hand of a wearer of the glove  100  as compared to the configuration of  FIG.  8   . 
       FIG.  10    illustrates another manner in which the first strap  110  may be disposed at the cradle  118 . In this embodiment, the first strap  110  is discontinuous and comprises two pieces or sections of material,  110   a  and  110   b.  First section  110   a  (having first end  111 ) extends from the glove  100  on the dorsal side of the cradle  118 , and the second section  110   b  (having second end  112 ) extends from the glove  100  on the palmar side of the cradle  118 . Edge portion  138  of first section  110   a  and edge portion  139  of second section  110   b  may be fixedly attached to the exterior of the glove  100  near the regions where the ends extend from the glove  100 . Once again, the attachment may occur by stitching, gluing, or other known attachment means. Alternatively, the glove  100  may be manufactured such that one end of each of the two sections  110   a  and  110   b  of the first strap  110  is connected as an integral component of the glove  100  (e.g., integral, strap attachment tabs extending outward from the material, e.g., leather, forming the palm of the glove) near the cradle region  118  where the sections  110   a  and  110   b  extend from the glove  100 . The first end  111  of the first strap  110  may be stretched taut and attached to the first attachment region  140  (e.g., via hook and loop fastener or other fastener), and the second end  112  of the first strap  110  may be stretched taut and attached to the first attachment region  140  to provide the attachment configuration for the first strap  110  as shown in  FIG.  4    and described in detail herein. Tautly stretching and attaching ends  111  and  112  correspondingly pulls the cradle  118  portion of the glove taut against the user&#39;s hand, which lifts or extends the distal portion  30  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10 , for example as shown by reference arrow  1020  in  FIG.  13   . Tautly stretching the two sections  110   a  and  110   b  from the regions of connection near the cradle to the first attachment region  140  in such manner may place stress on the regions of connection and thereby increase the likelihood of tearing in the region of the cradle  118 . In an embodiment, to reduce the likelihood of such tearing, a reinforcing material may be added to the region of the cradle  118 . The reinforcing material may be added to exterior of the cradle region, the interior of the cradle region, or both. Configuring the first strap  110  in the manner of  FIG.  10    may also reduce the profile and/or thickness of the glove  100  (e.g., the palm of the glove  100  has a substantially uniform surface without any ridges, edges, or changes in thickness associated with the first strap  110  to interfere with gripping an article such as a golf club) as compared to the configurations of  FIGS.  8  and  9   , and thereby improve the feel and mobility of the hand of a wearer of the glove  100  as compared to the configurations of  FIGS.  8  and  9   . 
       FIG.  11    illustrates an outline of the thumb brace  200  comprising glove  100  superimposed over a dorsal view of the bones of a left human hand. In this view, the loose ends of the first strap  110  and the second strap  150  have not been attached to the glove  100  at the first attachment region  140  or the second attachment region  160 . Without support from the first strap  110  and the second strap  150 , the thumb metacarpal bone  10  has subluxed in the manner of a patient with arthritis in the CMC joint  25 . This subluxation can be seen from the fact that the proximal end  5  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  is not parallel with the distal end  22  of the trapezium bone  20 . Thus, the thumb metacarpal bone  10  interfaces with the trapezium bone  20  only in the small region  70 . 
       FIG.  12    illustrates an outline of the thumb brace  200  comprising glove  100  superimposed over a palmar view of the bones of a left human hand. In this view, the loose ends of the first strap  110  and the second strap  150  have been attached to the glove  100  at the first attachment region  140  and the second attachment region  160 , respectively, in the manner described herein. 
       FIG.  13    illustrates the results of attaching the first strap  110  and the second strap  150  to the glove  100  in the manner shown in  FIGS.  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 , and  12    and described in detail herein. That is, the first end  111  of the first strap  110  and the second end  112  of the first strap  110  have been attached to the glove  100  above the proximal portion  5  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10 , as shown in  FIGS.  11  and  13   . In addition, the second strap  150  has been attached to the glove  100  across a dorsal proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone  10 . From  FIG.  13   , it can be seen that, compared with the subluxation depicted in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  11   , the proximal portion  5  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  has moved in the direction indicated by reference arrow  1010  and that dorsal subluxation of the proximal portion  5  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  has thus been reduced. It can further be seen that, compared with the subluxation depicted in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  11   , the distal portion  30  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  has moved in the direction indicated by reference arrow  1020  and that the distal portion  30  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  has thus become extended. Thus, the thumb metacarpal bone  10  and the trapezium bone  20  have become properly aligned, and the interface between the thumb metacarpal bone  10  and the trapezium bone  20  has returned to its preferred configuration, wherein the facing ends of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  and the trapezium bone  20  are substantially parallel with one another and share loads across the entire interface of the CMC joint  25 . 
       FIG.  14    is a flowchart illustrating a method for aligning a thumb metacarpal bone with a trapezium bone via use of one or more embodiments of the thumb brace described in the present disclosure. At block  1110 , a thumb brace is donned. The thumb brace may comprises a glove, a first strap, and a second strap as described herein. At block  1120 , a first end of the first strap and a second end of the first strap are attached to the glove above a proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone such that a distal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone becomes extended. At block  1130 , the second strap is attached to the glove across a dorsal proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone such that dorsal subluxation of the proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone is reduced. 
     The method of  FIG.  14    may further comprise extending the first end of the first strap from a first region of attachment of a central portion of the first strap at a region of the glove where a thumb element of the glove merges with a first finger element of the glove, around one of a palmar region of the glove and a dorsal region of the glove, to a second region of attachment above the proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone. The method may further comprise extending the second end of the first strap from the first region of attachment, around the other of the palmar region of the glove and the dorsal region of the glove, to the second region of attachment. 
     The method of  FIG.  14    may further comprise extending an end of the second strap remote from a third region of attachment of the second strap at a ventral side of a wrist region of the glove, across the dorsal proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone, to a fourth region of attachment above the dorsal side of the wrist region of the glove. The method may further comprise attaching the end of the second strap to the fourth region of attachment. 
     More generally, the thumb brace may be said to comprise a first means or mechanism for extending a distal portion of a thumb metacarpal bone and a second means or mechanism for reducing dorsal subluxation of a proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone, said first and second means being supported by a glove as described herein. 
     In one embodiment, the first means or mechanism may be a single piece of material that is substantially longer than wide and is attached to or integral with the exterior of the glove in a region of the glove where a thumb element of the glove merges with a first finger element of the glove. In another embodiment, the first means or mechanism may also be a single piece of material that is substantially longer than wide, and a central portion of the elastic material may pass through an interior space of the glove. A first end portion of the elastic material may emerge from the interior space of the glove on the dorsal side of the region of the glove where the thumb element of the glove merges with the first finger element of the glove. A second end portion of the elastic material may emerge from the interior space of the glove on the palmar side of the region of the glove where the thumb element of the glove merges with the first finger element of the glove. 
     In another embodiment, the first means or mechanism may be two pieces of material, each of which is substantially longer than wide. A first of the two pieces may extend from the exterior of the glove on a dorsal side of the region of the glove where the thumb element of the glove merges with the first finger element of the glove. A second of the two pieces may extend from the exterior of the glove on a palmar side of the region of the glove where the thumb element of the glove merges with the first finger element of the glove. 
     In any of the above embodiments, a first end of the first means or mechanism may be configured to pass over a palmar region of the glove or a dorsal region of the glove and attach to the glove above a dorsal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone. A second end of the first means or mechanism may be configured to pass over the other of the palmar region of the glove or the dorsal region of the glove and attach to the glove above the first end. 
     In any of the above embodiments, a first end of the second means or mechanism may be attached to or integral with the glove at a ventral side of a wrist region of the glove. A second end of the second means or mechanism may be configured to pass over the proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone and a portion of the radius bone of a wearer of the glove and attach to a dorsal side of the wrist region of the glove. The second end of the second means or mechanism, when attached to the dorsal side of the wrist region of the glove, may cover at least a portion of the first means or mechanism. 
     In the above embodiments, the first means or mechanism and the second means or mechanism may be elastic straps, the ends of which may be stretched to a preferred position to achieve the alignment of the thumb metacarpal bone as described above. In other embodiments, the first means or mechanism and the second means or mechanism are not elastic. Instead, the lengths and orientations of the first means or mechanism and the second means or mechanism and the positions and sizes of the regions of the attachment of the first means or mechanism and the second means or mechanism to the glove may be such that the attachment may occur only within a narrow range of orientations. The alignment of the thumb metacarpal bone described above may occur when the attachment occurs within this narrow range of orientations. 
     As mentioned above, any or all of the finger elements of the glove  100  may be absent, and/or portions of any or all of the finger elements may be absent. Such a fully or partially fingerless version of the glove  100  may be useful for hunting, fishing, woodworking, gardening, needlework, and other activities where fine control of one or more fingers may be needed and where alignment and stabilization of the thumb as described herein may be desirable. Also, it should be understood that the glove  100  may provide the above described benefits when the wearer is not engaged in any such specific activities. That is, a wearer may choose to wear the glove  100  for comfort, stability and/or pain relief while engaged in routine daily activities instead of or in addition to wearing the glove  100  while engaged in a specific sport, hobby or pastime. 
     In an embodiment, thumb brace  200  further comprises one or more pads associated with glove  100  to cushion one or more areas of a hand of a user of the brace from an impact force. For example, one or more areas internal to the glove, one or more areas external to the glove, or both may comprise a pad or other cushioning material effective to cushion, absorb, or otherwise lessen an impact force (and thus potential pain associated therewith) to the hand of a user wearing the brace. In particular, a user suffering from CMC arthritis may have a tender or sore CMC joint that is sensitive to an impact force such as bumping, jamming, etc. that may be incurred during an activity (e.g., golfing) that the user is engaged in while wearing the brace. Accordingly, in an aspect one or more pads may be placed internal and/or external to the glove  100  (e.g., attached to and/or integral with an interior and/or external surface of the glove  100 ) and located proximate the CMC joint of a user of the brace to cushion, absorb, or otherwise lessen an impact force to the CMC joint of the user, thereby aiding in the comfort and/or pain relief of the user engaged in an activity (e.g., golf) while wearing the brace  200 . All or a portion of the pad may be attached to the glove, for example stitched to the glove (e.g., directly or indirectly), releasably attached to the glove (e.g., via hook and loop fastener), contained within a pocket or pouch integral with the glove, etc. The pad may comprise any suitable material effective to cushion, absorb, or otherwise lessen an impact force to the user (e.g., the CMC joint of a user), for example foam (e.g., viscoelastic polyurethane foam), natural or synthetic rubber, silicon rubber, etc. In an aspect, the pad may comprise a cover, for example a fabric or material similar to a material used in glove  100 . In an aspect, the pad comprises a leather cover that is similar to or the same as one or more leather components of the glove  100 , for example similar to or the same as synthetic or natural leather (e.g., cabretta leather) used in a golf glove. In a further aspect, end  112  of first strap  110  may be attached to the first attachment region  140  and/or attached to the cover and/or glove, for example via stitching. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15 - 18   , an embodiment of a pad  300  is illustrated. Pad  300  comprises a cushioning portion  310  which may have an upper surface  312  and a lower surface  314 . The cushioning portion  310  may be of any suitable size and shape to provide a desired cushioning effect, for example sized to effectively cushion an area proximate to CMC joint  25  of  FIGS.  1 ,  11 , and  13   . In an aspect, the cushioning portion  310  may have a generally oval, ellipse, capsule (or stadium), or egg shape or cross-section when viewed from the top as shown in  FIG.  18    or viewed from the bottom. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15 - 18   , in an aspect the pad  300  can further comprise one or more tabs  320 A/B, for example attached to or integral with cushioning portion  310 . Tabs  320 A/B (e.g., front tab  320 A and back tab  320 B) may be of any suitable size or shape, for example square or rectangular. As shown in  FIGS.  15 - 18   , tabs  320 A/B may be of a generally rectangular shape having an edge attached to or integral with one or more edges of cushioning portion  310 . As shown in  FIGS.  15 - 18   , at least one edge of front tab  320 A can be attached to or formed integral with and extend outward from front edge  322  of cushioning portion  310 , and at least one edge of back tab  320 B can be attached to or formed integral with and extend outward from back edge  324  of cushioning portion  310 . Tabs  320 A/B may provide additional cushioning area and/or may provide an attachment surface for attaching the pad  300  to the glove  100 , for example via stitching. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15 - 18   , in an aspect the pad  300  can further comprise an additional elongated tab  330 , which may also be referred to as a reinforcing or reinforcement member, a reinforcing or reinforcement portion, a reinforcing or reinforcement tab, or the like. Reinforcement member  330  may be of any suitable size or shape, for example elongated and/or rectangular. As shown in  FIGS.  15 - 18   , reinforcement member  330  may be of a generally elongated, rectangular shape having an edge attached to or integral with one or more edges of cushioning portion  310 . As shown in  FIGS.  15 - 18   , at least one edge (e.g., top edge  332 ) of reinforcement member  330  can be attached to or formed integral with and extend outward and/or downward from front edge  322  of cushioning portion  310  and having a bottom edge  334 . Reinforcement member  330  may provide additional cushioning area, an additional attachment surface for attaching the pad  300  to the glove  100 , and/or may reinforce or otherwise supplement one or more additional components of the strap system  105  (e.g., reinforce or otherwise supplement the first strap  110  designed to lift or extend the distal end  30  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  and/or reinforce or otherwise supplement the second strap  150  designed to reduce the dorsal subluxation at the proximal end  5  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10 ). In an aspect, the reinforcement member  330  comprises an elastomeric material (e.g., molded silicon rubber) and is attached to all or a portion of first strap  110 , and thus is effective to provide a tension spring/elastomeric force upon being stretched (e.g., stretched concurrent with stretching of elastic first strap  110 ). 
     The components of pad  300 , e.g., cushioning portion  310 , tabs  320  A/B, and reinforcement member  330 ) can be separate components that are coupled together to form pad  300  and/or the components of pad  300 , e.g., cushioning portion  310 , tabs  320  A/B, and reinforcement member  330 ) can be integral with each other and comprise a unitary, monolithic structure (e.g., a single part or structure molded from silicone rubber). In an aspect, the components of pad  300 , e.g., cushioning portion  310 , tabs  320  A/B, and reinforcement member  330 ) comprise a unitary, integral structure formed from (e.g., comprising) CAST-A-MOLD platinum cured RTV silicone rubber. 
       FIGS.  16    (front view) and  17  (back view) illustrate an embodiment of the positioning of the pad  300  with respect to a thumb and associated CMC joint of a user. It should be understood that the pad  300  is shown in isolation for clarity in  FIGS.  16  and  17   , but that pad  300  can be added as a component of thumb brace  200  as is described in further detail herein (e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  18 - 20   ). As shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17   , bottom surface  314  of cushioning portion  310  of pad  300  can be cupped or concave to correspond to the curvature of the base of the thumb when placed proximate thereto. Accordingly, in an aspect, the cushioning portion  310  of pad  300  has an arched or semi-circular cross-sectional shape. The cupped or concave cushioning portion  310  (and associated arched or semi-circular cross-sectional shape) allow the pad  300  to conform to the back of the thumb and fit close to the CMC joint without interfering with the grip of a user as shown in  FIGS.  16  and  17   , for example when included as a component in thumb brace  200  (e.g., as shown in  FIGS.  18 - 20   ). 
       FIGS.  18 - 20    are various perspective views of an embodiment of thumb brace  200  further comprising a pad, for example pad  300  in accordance with  FIGS.  15 - 17   . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  18 - 20   , thumb brace  200  comprises a glove  100 , a pad  300 A, and a strap system  105  including a first strap  110  designed to lift or extend the distal end  30  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  and a second strap  150  designed to reduce the dorsal subluxation at the proximal end  5  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  at the CMC joint  25 . As shown in  FIGS.  18 - 20   , pad  300 A is at least partially enclosed or covered by a cover  335 , for example a fabric and/or leather cover. The cover  335  can be sized and shaped to accommodate all or a portion of each component of the pad  300 , for example cushioning portion  310 , tabs  320 A/B, and reinforcement member  330 . The cover  335  can be attached (e.g., stitched) to the glove  100  as shown by stitching  337  and thereby attach the pad to the outer surface of glove  100 . In an aspect, pad  300 A is attached (e.g., stitched) to the glove  100  at a location proximate to, the same as, and/or encompassing the location of the first attachment region  140  as described in more detail herein. In an aspect, the first attachment region  140  (e.g., comprising a hook or loop portion of a fastener) can be collocated such that the first attachment region  140  is on an outer surface of cover  335  enclosing pad  300 A (see, e.g.,  FIGS.  18  and  19   ). Also shown in  FIG.  18    is an unattached, uncovered pad  300 B which is orientated similar to covered pad  300 A that is attached (e.g., stitched) to glove  100 , thereby providing a further spatial reference for the position and orientation of covered pad  300 A. In a further aspect, end  112  of first strap  110  may be attached to the first attachment region  140  and/or attached to the cover  335  and/or glove  100 , for example via stitching as shown in  FIG.  19   . 
     As shown in  FIG.  19   , reinforcement member  330  (shown in ghosting via dashed lines) may be positioned along all or a portion of first strap  110  to reinforce and support first strap  110 . As shown in  FIG.  19   , reinforcement member  330  and first strap  110  can be about the same width, reinforcement member  330  can extend a portion of the length of first strap  110 , and reinforcement member  330  and first strap  110  can be attached to each other, for example via adhesive, stitching, and/or within a common cover (e.g., cover  335 ). As shown in  FIG.  19   , a portion of strap  110  can extend beyond end  334  of reinforcement member  330  such that at least a portion of the underside  113  of the first strap  110  adjacent the end  111  comprises a portion of the hook and loop fastener, that is, the underside  113  of end  111  of the first strap  110  can attach to and detach from the first attachment region  140  of glove  100 . 
       FIGS.  18 - 20    illustrate a sequence of a user (e.g., person) donning (e.g., putting on or wearing) a thumb brace  200  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as described in more detail herein. The sequence of  FIGS.  18 - 20    are shown in the context of the left hand of a user, with the understanding that the thumb brace can be worn on either or both hands of a user. As described previously herein, thumb brace  200  comprises a glove  100  and a strap system  105  including a first strap  110  designed to lift or extend the distal end  30  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  and a second strap  150  designed to reduce the dorsal subluxation at the proximal end  5  of the thumb metacarpal bone  10  at the CMC joint  25 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  18   , a user inserts his or her hand into the glove  100 , and the glove may be secured to the hand of the user. For example, glove may have an adjustable cuff, for example an elastic cuff or an adjustably sized cuff as provided by a tab closure such as flap  90  on the back of the glove (i.e., dorsal or back side of the hand) that may be opened or closed by way of a fastener such as a hook and loop fasteners, zipper, etc. The flap  90  has an external face or surface  92  that is typically a smooth fabric (often adorned by a manufacturer&#39;s logo) in a standard glove (but, in contrast, embodiments according to the present disclosure may further comprise second attachment region  160  on external flap surface  92 , as described in detail herein). The flap  90  typically further comprises an interior face or surface comprising a first portion (e.g., loop portion) of the hook and loop fastener. The flap  90  overlaps a portion  94  of the back of the glove having disposed thereon the opposite portion of the hook and loop fastener (e.g., the hook portion) such that the glove flap  90  may be adjustably closed and opened by engaging and disengaging, respectively, the hook and loop fastener portions associated with the flap  90  and overlapped portion  94  of the back of the glove. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  18 - 20   , the strap system  105  further comprises a first strap  110 , a second strap  150 , a first attachment region  140 , and a second attachment region  160 . After a user places the glove  100  on his or her hand as shown in  FIG.  18   , the first strap  110  is stretched and wrapped around the thumb (e.g., between the index finger and the thumb) and connected to the first attachment region  140  as shown in  FIG.  20   . For example, first strap  110  is stretched and positioned around the thumb (e.g., between the index finger and the thumb as shown by reference arrow  345 ), and end  111  of first strap  110  is attached to the first attachment region  140  (which may attached to cover  335  and positioned proximate or atop the pad  300 A). The end  112  of first strap  110  may likewise be attached to the first attachment region  140 , or may be attached to the cover  335  and/or glove  100 , for example via stitching as shown in  FIGS.  19 - 20   . Stretching the first strap  110  likewise stretches the reinforcement member  330  that is attached to first strap  110  as shown in  FIGS.  19 - 20   . The stretched first strap  110  and/or the stretched reinforcement member  330  provide a force in the direction of reference arrow  1020  to the thumb metacarpal bone such that a distal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone becomes extended as shown in  FIG.  13    and described in more detail with reference thereto. 
     After the first strap  110  is positioned as shown in  FIG.  20   , the second strap  150  is stretched and positioned (as indicated by reference arrow  350 ) across the back of the wrist adjacent the base of the thumb and attached to second attachment region  160  as shown in  FIG.  6   . At least a portion of the underside  155  of the second strap  150  adjacent the second end  152  comprises a portion of a hook and loop fastener that attaches to (and can likewise detach from) the second attachment region  160  of glove  100 . The stretched second strap  150  provides a force in the direction of reference arrow  1010  to the thumb metacarpal bone such that dorsal subluxation of the proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone is reduced as shown in  FIG.  13    and described in more detail with reference thereto. Upon donning of the glove  100  and attaching the first strap  110  and the second strap  150  of the strap system  105 , the thumb brace  200  supports the CMC joint (as described in detail herein with reference to  FIG.  13   ) and pad  300  further cushions the CMC joint from impact forces while not interfering with griping a tool (e.g., a golf club, tennis racket, hammer, etc.). 
     Additional Embodiments Group I 
     A first embodiment that is a thumb brace comprising a glove having a thumb portion disposed between a palm side and a back side and comprising a first attachment region positioned adjacent a base of the thumb portion and adjacent to and/or along a midline where the palm side and back side meet and a second attachment region positioned on the back side of the glove; a first elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove, the first end is releasably attached to the first attachment region, and the second end is releasably attached to the first attachment region, whereby the first strap extends a distal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the brace; and a second elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the palm side of the glove and the second end is releasably attached to the second attachment region, whereby the second strap reduces a proximal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the brace. 
     A second embodiment that is the thumb brace of the first embodiment wherein the glove has a flap on the back side providing an adjustably sized cuff, and wherein the second attachment region is located on a back surface of the flap. 
     A third embodiment that is the thumb brace of the first and second embodiments wherein the first strap is attached to the glove proximate the cradle of the glove. 
     A fourth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the first through third embodiments wherein the first strap is releasably attached to the glove. 
     A fifth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the first through third embodiments wherein the first strap is stitched to the glove. 
     A sixth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the fifth embodiment wherein the first strap is continuous from the first end to the second end, wherein the entire length of the first strap is disposed on the exterior of the glove, and wherein the first strap is stitched to the glove proximate the mid-portion of the first strap. 
     A seventh embodiment that is the thumb brace of fifth embodiment wherein the first strap is discontinuous having a first section including the first end and a second section including the second end, wherein the first section is stitched to the cradle opposite the first end, and wherein the second section is stitched to the cradle opposite the second end. 
     An eighth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the first through forth embodiments wherein the first strap is continuous from the first end to the second end, the cradle further comprises a first slit and a second slit, and all or a portion of the mid-portion of the first strap is slidably disposed inside the glove between the first and second slits. 
     A ninth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the first through eighth embodiments wherein the first and second ends of the first strap are releasably connected to the first attachment region by a first hook and loop fastener and wherein the second end of the second strap is releasably connected to the second attachment region by a second hook and loop fastener. 
     A tenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the second through ninth embodiments wherein the flap is releasably connected to the back side of the glove by a third hook and loop fastener. 
     An eleventh embodiment that is the thumb brace of the first through tenth embodiments wherein the glove is a golf glove. 
     A twelfth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the first through eleventh embodiments wherein at least a portion of the mid-portion of the second strap passes over the first strap. 
     A thirteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the first through twelfth embodiments wherein at least a portion of the mid-portion of the second strap passes over the first and second ends of the first strap. 
     A fourteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the first through thirteenth embodiments wherein the second end of the first strap overlaps the first end of the first strap. 
     A fifteenth embodiment that is a thumb brace comprising: a glove comprising first, second, and third hook and loop fasteners, wherein the first hook and loop fastener provides an adjustable cuff opening for the glove; the second hook and loop fastener connects first and second ends of a first elastic strap positioned on the glove to extend a distal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the glove; and the third hook and loop fastener connects the second end of a second elastic strap positioned on the glove to reduce a proximal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the glove. 
     A sixteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the fifteenth embodiment wherein a first end of the second strap is stitched to the glove. 
     A seventeenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the fifteenth or sixteenth embodiments wherein a mid-portion of the first strap is stitched to the glove, and wherein the first strap is continuous or discontinuous. 
     An eighteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the fifteenth or sixteenth embodiments further comprising a fourth hook and loop fastener connecting a mid-portion of the first strap to a cradle of the glove. 
     A nineteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the fifteenth through eighteenth embodiments wherein the glove is a golf glove. 
     A twentieth embodiment that is a method of using a thumb brace comprising a glove and a strap system, the method comprising: placing the glove on a hand experiencing subluxation of the thumb metacarpal bone; extending a distal end of the thumb metacarpal bone by releasably connecting a first elastic strap of the strapping system to a first attachment region on the glove; and reducing a proximal end of the thumb metacarpal bone by releasably connecting a second elastic strap to a second attachment region of the glove. 
     A twenty-first embodiment that is the method of the twentieth embodiment wherein placing the glove on the hand further comprises releasably attaching a flap portion of an adjustable cuff of the glove to the back of the glove, and wherein a back surface of the flap comprises the second attachment region of the glove. 
     A twenty-second embodiment that is the method of twentieth or twenty-first embodiments wherein the thumb brace comprises: a glove having a thumb portion disposed between a palm side and a back side and comprising a first attachment region positioned adjacent a base of the thumb portion and a second attachment region positioned on the back side of the glove; a first elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove, the first end is releasably attached to the first attachment region, and the second end is releasably attached to the first attachment region, whereby the first strap extends a distal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the brace; and a second elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the palm side of the glove and the second end is releasably attached to the second attachment region, whereby the second strap reduces a proximal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the brace. 
     A twenty-third embodiment that is the method of the twentieth or twenty-first embodiments wherein the thumb brace comprises: a glove comprising first, second, and third hook and loop fasteners, wherein the first hook and loop fastener provides an adjustable cuff opening for the glove; the second hook and loop fastener connects first and second ends of a first elastic strap positioned on the glove to extend a distal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the glove; and the third hook and loop fastener connects the second end of a second elastic strap positioned on the glove to reduce a proximal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the glove. 
     A twenty-fourth embodiment that is the method of the twentieth through twenty-third embodiments wherein the glove is a golf glove. 
     A twenty-fifth embodiment that is a method of making a thumb brace comprising, providing a glove and attaching a strap system of the type disclosed herein to the glove in accordance with the various embodiments and figures disclosed herein. In such embodiment, hook and loop fastener components (e.g. sections of fabric comprising the hook or loop component) are attached (e.g., stitched) to the ends of the first and second straps as disclosed herein, and the complementary component of the hook and loop fastener is attached to the glove in the attachment regions disclosed herein. The first and second straps may be attached to the glove as described herein, for example by stitching. 
     A twenty-sixth embodiment that is a method of treating a subject experiencing thumb carpometacarpal joint arthritis comprising providing a thumb brace according to the first through nineteenth embodiments to the subject with instructions comprising a sequence for releasably attaching the first and second straps to the first and second contact regions, respectively. 
     A twenty-seventh embodiment that is a packaged article for commerce comprising the thumb brace of according to the first through nineteenth embodiments and instructions comprising a sequence for releasably attaching the first and second straps to the first and second contact regions, respectively. 
     A twenty-eighth embodiment that is a method of treating a subject experiencing thumb carpometacarpal joint arthritis comprising extending a distal end of the thumb metacarpal bone via a first force provided by an a first elastic strap positioned proximate or adjacent the distal end; and reducing a proximal end of the thumb metacarpal bone via a second force provided by a second elastic strap positioned proximate or adjacent the proximal end, wherein the first force and the second force are substantially opposite in direction such that a rotational force is provided on the metacarpal bone effective to relieve on or more indications of CMJ arthritis. In such embodiment, the first and second forces may be provided by the thumb brace according to the first through nineteenth embodiments. 
     A twenty-ninth embodiment that is a glove, for example a golf glove, comprising first, second, and third hook and loop fasteners, wherein the first hook and loop fastener provides an adjustable cuff opening; the second hook and loop fastener connects first and second ends of a first elastic strap positioned on the glove to extend a distal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the glove; and the third hook and loop fastener connects the second end of a second elastic strap positioned on the glove to reduce a proximal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the glove. 
     A thirtieth embodiment that is a glove, for example a golf glove, having a thumb portion disposed between a palm side and a back side, and comprising: a first contact region positioned adjacent a base of the thumb along a midline where the palm side and back side meet and a second contact region positioned on the back side of the glove; a first elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove, the first end is releasably attached to the first contact region, and the second end is releasably attached to the first contact region, whereby the first strap extends a distal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the brace; and a second elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the palm side of the glove and the second end is releasably attached to the second contact region, whereby the second strap reduces a proximal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the brace. 
     A thirty-first embodiment that is a glove, for example a golf glove, comprising: a first mechanism for extending a distal portion of a thumb metacarpal bone; and a second mechanism for reducing dorsal subluxation of a proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone. 
     A thirty-second embodiment that is the glove of the thirty-first embodiment, wherein the first mechanism comprises one of: (i) a single piece of elastic material, substantially longer than wide, attached to the exterior of the glove in a region of the glove where a thumb element of the glove merges with a first finger element of the glove; (ii) a single piece of elastic material, substantially longer than wide, wherein a central portion of the elastic material passes through an interior space of the glove, wherein a first end portion of the elastic material emerges from the interior space of the glove to the exterior of the glove on the dorsal side of the region of the glove where the thumb element of the glove merges with the first finger element of the glove, and wherein a second end portion of the elastic material emerges from the interior space of the glove to the exterior of the glove on the palmar side of the region of the glove where the thumb element of the glove merges with the first finger element of the glove; or (iii) two pieces of elastic material, each substantially longer than wide, wherein a first of the pieces extends from the exterior of the glove on a dorsal side of the region of the glove where the thumb element of the glove merges with the first finger element of the glove, and wherein a second of the pieces extends from the exterior of the glove on a palmar side of the region of the glove where the thumb element of the glove merges with the first finger element of the glove. 
     A thirty-third embodiment that is the glove of the thirty-first or thirty-second embodiments, wherein a first end of the first mechanism is configured to pass over one of a palmar region of the glove and a dorsal region of the glove and attach to the glove above a dorsal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone, and wherein a second end of the first mechanism is configured to pass over the other of the palmar region of the glove and the dorsal region of the glove and attach to the glove above the first end. 
     A thirty-fourth embodiment that is the glove of the thirty-third embodiment, wherein the first end and the second end are of such a length, and wherein a region of the attachment of the first end and the second end to the glove is in such a position above the dorsal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone, that extension of the distal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone is capable of occurring when the attachment occurs. 
     A thirty-fifth embodiment that is the glove of the thirty-third and thirty-fourth embodiments, wherein a region of the attachment of the first end and the second end to the glove comprises: a first indicator indicating a preferred position of the first end when the first end is attached; and a second indicator indicating a preferred position of the second end when the second end is attached. 
     A thirty-sixth embodiment that is the glove of the thirty-second through thirty-fifth embodiments, wherein, when the first mechanism comprises two pieces of elastic material, the region of the glove where the thumb element of the glove merges with the first finger element of the glove is reinforced such that the likelihood of tearing of the region of the glove where the thumb element of the glove merges with the first finger element of the glove is reduced. 
     A thirty-seventh embodiment that is the glove of the thirty-third through thirty-sixth embodiments, wherein the attachment of the first end and the second end to the glove occurs by one of: a hook and loop fastening system; a snap fastening system; or a button fastening system. 
     A thirty-eight embodiment that is the glove of the thirty-first through thirty-seventh embodiments, wherein a first end of the second mechanism is attached to the glove at a ventral side of a wrist region of the glove, and wherein a second end of the second mechanism is configured to pass over the proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone and a radius bone of a wearer of the glove and attach to a dorsal side of the wrist region of the glove. 
     A thirty-ninth embodiment that is the glove of the thirty-eighth embodiment, wherein the second end of the second mechanism, when attached to the dorsal side of the wrist region of the glove, covers at least a portion of the first mechanism. 
     A fortieth embodiment that is the glove of thirty-eighth or thirty-ninth embodiment, wherein the attachment of the second end of the second mechanism to the dorsal side of the wrist region of the glove occurs by one of: a hook and loop fastening system; a snap fastening system; or a button fastening system. 
     A forty-first embodiment that is a glove, for example a golf glove, comprising: a first elastic strapping mechanism configured to exert pressure on a palmar region of a distal portion of a thumb metacarpal bone; and a second elastic strapping mechanism configured to exert pressure on a dorsal region of a proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone. 
     A forty-second embodiment that is a glove, for example a golf glove, comprising: a first strapping mechanism configured to be capable of exerting pressure on a distal portion of a thumb metacarpal bone, such that the distal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone moves in a manner characteristic of extending the thumb metacarpal bone; and a second strapping mechanism configured to be capable of exerting pressure on a proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone, such that the proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone moves in a direction opposite to the movement of the distal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone. 
     A forty-third embodiment that is a method for aligning a thumb metacarpal bone with a trapezium bone, the method comprising: donning a glove, for example a golf glove, wherein the glove comprises a first strap and a second strap; attaching a first end of the first strap and a second end of the first strap to the glove above a proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone such that a distal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone becomes extended; and attaching the second strap to the glove across a dorsal proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone such that dorsal subluxation of the proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone is reduced. 
     A forty-fourth embodiment that is the method of the forty-third embodiment, further comprising: extending the first end of the first strap from a first region of attachment of a central portion of the first strap at a region of the glove where a thumb element of the glove merges with a first finger element of the glove, around one of a palmar region of the glove and a dorsal region of the glove, to a second region of attachment above the proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone; and extending the second end of the first strap from the first region of attachment, around the other of the palmar region of the glove and the dorsal region of the glove, to the second region of attachment. 
     A forty-fifth embodiment that is the method of the forty-third or forty-fourth embodiment, further comprising: extending an end of the second strap remote from a third region of attachment of the second strap at a ventral side of a wrist region of the glove, across the dorsal proximal portion of the thumb metacarpal bone, to a fourth region of attachment above the dorsal side of the wrist region of the glove; and attaching the end of the second strap to the fourth region of attachment. 
     Additional Embodiments Group II 
     A first embodiment that is a thumb brace comprising: a glove having a thumb portion disposed between a palm side and a back side and comprising a first attachment region positioned adjacent a base of the thumb portion and a second attachment region positioned on the back side of the glove; a first elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove, wherein the first strap is attached via stitching to the glove, wherein the first strap is continuous from the first end to the second end, wherein a length of the first strap is disposed on the exterior of the glove, wherein the first end, the second end, or both are releasably attachable to the first attachment region, and wherein the first strap extends from the cradle of the glove and wraps around both sides of the thumb portion of the glove such that the first strap extends a distal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the brace; a second elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the palm side of the glove and the second end is releasably attachable to the second attachment region, wherein the second strap reduces a proximal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the brace; and a pad (e.g., a pad as shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17    and further described herein by reference to  FIGS.  18 - 20   ) attached to the glove and positioned proximate (e.g., below) the second attachment region and adjacent the base of the thumb portion on the back side of the glove such that the pad cushions a CMC joint of the user of the brace from impact, wherein the pad may optionally be enclosed by a cover material (e.g., fabric and/or leather), wherein the cover material may be attached to (e.g., stitched) the glove, and wherein the pad can further comprise a reinforcement member that is attached to at least a portion of the first elastic strap. 
     A second embodiment that is the thumb brace of the first embodiment wherein the glove has a flap on the back side providing an adjustably sized cuff, and wherein the second attachment region is located on a back surface of the flap. 
     A third embodiment that is the thumb brace of the first and second embodiments wherein the first strap is attached to the glove proximate the cradle of the glove. 
     A fourth embodiment that is the thumb brace of any of the first through third embodiments wherein at least a portion of the mid-portion of the second strap passes over the first strap. 
     A fifth embodiment that is the thumb brace of any of the first through fourth embodiments wherein the second end of the first strap overlaps the first end of the first strap. 
     A sixth embodiment that is the thumb brace of any of the first through fifth embodiments wherein the glove is a golf glove. 
     A seventh embodiment that is a thumb brace comprising: a glove having a thumb portion disposed between a palm side and a back side and comprising a first attachment region positioned adjacent a base of the thumb portion and a second attachment region positioned on the back side of the glove; a first elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove and the first end, the second end, or both are releasably attached to the first attachment region, wherein the first strap extends a distal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the brace; a second elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the palm side of the glove and the second end is releasably attached to the second attachment region, wherein the second strap reduces a proximal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the brace; and a pad (e.g., a pad as shown in  FIGS.  15 - 21    and further described herein by reference to  FIGS.  22 - 48   ) attached to the glove and positioned proximate (e.g., below) the second attachment region and adjacent the base of the thumb portion on the back side of the glove such that the pad cushions a CMC joint of the user of the brace from impact, wherein the pad may optionally be enclosed by a cover material (e.g., fabric and/or leather), wherein the cover material may be attached to (e.g., stitched) the glove, and wherein the pad can further comprise a reinforcement member that is attached to at least a portion of the first elastic strap. 
     An eighth embodiment that is the thumb brace of seventh embodiment wherein the glove has a flap on the back side providing an adjustably sized cuff, and wherein the second attachment region is located on a back surface of the flap. 
     A ninth embodiment that is the thumb brace of seventh or eighth embodiments wherein the first strap is attached to the glove proximate the cradle of the glove. 
     A tenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of any of the seventh through ninth embodiments wherein the first strap is stitched to the glove. 
     An eleventh embodiment that is the thumb brace of any of the seventh through tenth embodiments wherein the first strap is continuous from the first end to the second end, wherein a length of the first strap is disposed on an exterior of the glove, and wherein the first strap is stitched to the glove. 
     A twelfth embodiment that is the thumb brace of any of the seventh through eleventh embodiments wherein the glove is a golf glove. 
     A thirteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of any of the seventh through twelfth embodiments wherein at least a portion of the mid-portion of the second strap passes over the first strap. 
     A fourteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of any of the seventh through thirteenth embodiments wherein the second end of the first strap overlaps the first end of the first strap. 
     A fifteenth embodiment that is a thumb brace comprising: a glove comprising first, second, and third hook and loop fasteners, wherein the first hook and loop fastener provides an adjustable cuff opening for the glove; the second hook and loop fastener connects first, second, or both ends of a first elastic strap positioned on the glove to extend a distal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the glove; and the third hook and loop fastener connects the second end of a second elastic strap positioned on the glove to reduce a proximal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the glove; and a pad (e.g., a pad as shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17    and further described herein by reference to  FIGS.  18 - 20   ) attached to the glove and positioned proximate (e.g., below) the second attachment region and adjacent the base of the thumb portion on the back side of the glove such that the pad cushions a CMC joint of the user of the brace from impact, wherein the pad may optionally be enclosed by a cover material (e.g., fabric and/or leather), wherein the cover material may be attached to (e.g., stitched) the glove, and wherein the pad can further comprise a reinforcement member that is attached to at least a portion of the first elastic strap. 
     A sixteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the fifteenth embodiment wherein a first end of the second strap is stitched to the glove. 
     A seventeenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the fifteenth or sixteenth embodiments wherein the first strap is stitched to the glove, and wherein the first strap is continuous or discontinuous. 
     An eighteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of any of the fifteenth through seventeenth embodiments wherein at least a portion of the mid-portion of the second strap passes over the first strap. 
     A nineteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of any of the fifteenth through eighteenth embodiments wherein the second end of the first strap overlaps the first end of the first strap. 
     A twentieth embodiment that is the thumb brace of any of the fifteenth through nineteenth embodiments wherein the glove is a golf glove. 
     A twenty-first embodiment that is a thumb brace comprising: a glove having a thumb portion disposed between a palm side and a back side and comprising a first attachment region positioned adjacent a base of the thumb portion and a second attachment region positioned on the back side of the glove; a first elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove, wherein the first strap is attached via stitching to the glove proximate the cradle of the glove, wherein the first strap is continuous from the first end to the second end, wherein the entire length of the first strap is disposed on the exterior of the glove, wherein the first strap is stitched to the glove proximate the mid-portion of the first strap, wherein the first end is releasably attachable to the first attachment region and the second end is releasably attachable to the first attachment region, and wherein the first strap extends from the cradle of the glove and wraps around both sides of the thumb portion of the glove when the first and second ends of the first strap are releasably attached to the first attachment region, whereby the first strap extends a distal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the brace; a second elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the palm side of the glove and the second end is releasably attachable to the second attachment region, whereby the second strap reduces a proximal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the brace; and a pad (e.g., a pad as shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17    and further described herein by reference to  FIGS.  18 - 20   ) attached to the glove and positioned proximate (e.g., below) the second attachment region and adjacent the base of the thumb portion on the back side of the glove such that the pad cushions a CMC joint of a user of the brace from impact, wherein the pad may optionally be enclosed by a cover material (e.g., fabric and/or leather), wherein the cover material may be attached to (e.g., stitched) the glove, and wherein the pad can further comprise a reinforcement member that is attached to at least a portion of the first elastic strap. 
     A twenty-second embodiment that is a method of using a thumb brace comprising a glove and a strap system, the method comprising: placing the glove on a hand experiencing subluxation of the thumb metacarpal bone; extending a distal end of the thumb metacarpal bone by releasably connecting a first elastic strap of the strapping system to a first attachment region on the glove; and reducing a proximal end of the thumb metacarpal bone by releasably connecting a second elastic strap to a second attachment region of the glove, wherein the thumb brace comprises: a glove having a thumb portion disposed between a palm side and a back side and comprising a first attachment region positioned adjacent a base of the thumb portion and a second attachment region positioned on the back side of the glove; a first elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove, wherein the first strap is attached via stitching to the glove proximate the cradle of the glove, wherein the first strap is continuous from the first end to the second end, wherein the entire length of the first strap is disposed on the exterior of the glove, wherein the first strap is stitched to the glove proximate the mid-portion of the first strap, wherein the first end is releasably attachable to the first attachment region and the second end is releasably attachable to the first attachment region, and wherein the first strap extends from the cradle of the glove and wraps around both sides of the thumb portion of the glove when the first and second ends of the first strap are releasably attached to the first attachment region, whereby the first strap extends a distal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the brace; a second elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the palm side of the glove and the second end is releasably attachable to the second attachment region, whereby the second strap reduces a proximal end of a thumb metacarpal bone of a user of the brace; and a pad (e.g., a pad as shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17    and further described herein by reference to  FIGS.  18 - 20   ) attached to the glove and positioned proximate (e.g., below) the second attachment region and adjacent the base of the thumb portion on the back side of the glove such that the pad cushions a CMC joint of a user of the brace from impact, wherein the pad may optionally be enclosed by a cover material (e.g., fabric and/or leather), wherein the cover material may be attached to (e.g., stitched) the glove, and wherein the pad can further comprise a reinforcement member that is attached to at least a portion of the first elastic strap. 
     A twenty-third embodiment that is a thumb brace comprising: a glove having a thumb portion disposed between a palm side and a back side and comprising a first attachment region positioned adjacent a base of the thumb portion and a second attachment region positioned on the back side of the glove; a first elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove, the first end is releasably attached to the first attachment region, and the second end is releasably attached to the first attachment region, wherein the first strap extends a distal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the brace; a second elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the palm side of the glove and the second end is releasably attached to the second attachment region, wherein the second strap reduces a proximal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the brace; and a pad (e.g., a pad as shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17    and further described herein by reference to  FIGS.  18 - 20   ) attached to the glove and positioned proximate (e.g., below) the second attachment region and adjacent the base of the thumb portion on the back side of the glove such that the pad cushions a CMC joint of the user of the brace from impact, wherein the pad may optionally be enclosed by a cover material (e.g., fabric and/or leather), wherein the cover material may be attached to (e.g., stitched) the glove, and wherein the pad can further comprise a reinforcement member that is attached to at least a portion of the first elastic strap. 
     A twenty-fourth embodiment that is a thumb brace comprising: a glove comprising first, second, and third hook and loop fasteners, wherein the first hook and loop fastener provides an adjustable cuff opening for the glove; the second hook and loop fastener connects first and second ends of a first elastic strap positioned on the glove to extend a distal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the glove; the third hook and loop fastener connects the second end of a second elastic strap positioned on the glove to reduce a proximal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the glove; and a pad (e.g., a pad as shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17    and further described herein by reference to  FIGS.  18 - 20   ) attached to the glove and positioned proximate (e.g., below) the second attachment region and adjacent the base of the thumb portion on the back side of the glove such that the pad cushions a CMC joint of the user of the brace from impact, wherein the pad may optionally be enclosed by a cover material (e.g., fabric and/or leather), wherein the cover material may be attached to (e.g., stitched) the glove, and wherein the pad can further comprise a reinforcement member that is attached to at least a portion of the first elastic strap. 
     A twenty-fifth embodiment that is a method of using a thumb brace comprising a glove and a strap system, the method comprising: placing the glove on a hand experiencing subluxation of the thumb metacarpal bone; extending a distal end of the gloved thumb metacarpal bone of the gloved hand by releasably connecting a first elastic strap of the strapping system to a first attachment region on the glove; and reducing a proximal end of the gloved thumb metacarpal bone of the gloved hand by releasably connecting a second elastic strap to a second attachment region of the glove, wherein the glove further comprises a pad (e.g., a pad as shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17    and further described herein by reference to  FIGS.  18 - 20   ) attached to the glove and positioned proximate (e.g., below) the second attachment region and adjacent the base of the thumb portion on the back side of the glove such that the pad cushions a CMC joint of a user of the brace from impact, wherein the pad may optionally be enclosed by a cover material (e.g., fabric and/or leather), wherein the cover material may be attached to (e.g., stitched) the glove, and wherein the pad can further comprise a reinforcement member that is attached to at least a portion of the first elastic strap. 
     A twenty-sixth embodiment that is a thumb brace comprising: a glove having a thumb portion disposed between a palm side and a back side and comprising a first attachment region positioned adjacent a base of the thumb portion and a second attachment region positioned on the back side of the glove; a first elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove, wherein the first strap is attached via stitching to the glove, wherein the first strap is continuous from the first end to the second end, wherein a length of the first strap is disposed on the exterior of the glove, wherein the first end, the second end, or both are releasably attachable to the first attachment region, and wherein the first strap extends from the cradle of the glove and wraps around both sides of the thumb portion of the glove such that the first strap extends a distal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the brace; a second elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the palm side of the glove and the second end is releasably attachable to the second attachment region, wherein the second strap reduces a proximal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the brace; and a pad (e.g., a pad as shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17    and further described herein by reference to  FIGS.  18 - 20   ) attached to the glove and positioned proximate (e.g., below) the second attachment region and adjacent the base of the thumb portion on the back side of the glove such that the pad cushions a CMC joint of the user of the brace from impact, wherein the pad may optionally be enclosed by a cover material (e.g., fabric and/or leather), wherein the cover material may be attached to (e.g., stitched) the glove, and wherein the pad can further comprise a reinforcement member that is attached to at least a portion of the first elastic strap. 
     A twenty-seventh embodiment that is a thumb brace comprising: a glove having a thumb portion disposed between a palm side and a back side and comprising a first attachment region positioned adjacent a base of the thumb portion and a second attachment region positioned on the back side of the glove; a first elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove and the first end, the second end, or both are releasably attached to the first attachment region, wherein the first strap extends a distal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the brace; a second elastic strap having a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the palm side of the glove and the second end is releasably attached to the second attachment region, wherein the second strap reduces a proximal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the brace; and a pad (e.g., a pad as shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17    and further described herein by reference to  FIGS.  18 - 20   ) attached to the glove and positioned proximate (e.g., below) the second attachment region and adjacent the base of the thumb portion on the back side of the glove such that the pad cushions a CMC joint of a user of the brace from impact, wherein the pad may optionally be enclosed by a cover material (e.g., fabric and/or leather), wherein the cover material may be attached to (e.g., stitched) the glove, and wherein the pad can further comprise a reinforcement member that is attached to at least a portion of the first elastic strap. 
     A twenty-eighth embodiment that is a thumb brace comprising: a glove comprising first, second, and third hook and loop fasteners, wherein the first hook and loop fastener provides an adjustable cuff opening for the glove; the second hook and loop fastener connects first, second, or both ends of a first elastic strap positioned on the glove to extend a distal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the glove; the third hook and loop fastener connects the second end of a second elastic strap positioned on the glove to reduce a proximal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of a user of the glove; and a pad (e.g., a pad as shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17    and further described herein by reference to  FIGS.  18 - 20   ) attached to the glove and positioned proximate (e.g., below) the second attachment region and adjacent the base of the thumb portion on the back side of the glove such that the pad cushions a CMC joint of the user of the brace from impact, wherein the pad may optionally be enclosed by a cover material (e.g., fabric and/or leather), wherein the cover material may be attached to (e.g., stitched) the glove, and wherein the pad can further comprise a reinforcement member that is attached to at least a portion of the first elastic strap. 
     Additional Embodiments Group III 
     A first embodiment that is a thumb brace comprising: a glove having a thumb portion disposed between a palm side and a back side; and a pad attached to the glove and positioned proximate the base of the thumb portion on the back side of the glove such that the pad cushions a CMC joint of a user of the brace from impact. 
     A second embodiment that is the thumb brace of the first embodiment wherein the pad comprises a cushioning portion and a reinforcement portion extending from the back side of the glove to the palm side of the glove. 
     A third embodiment that is the thumb brace of the second embodiment wherein a bottom surface of the cushioning portion is concave to correspond to the curvature of the base of the thumb portion when placed proximate thereto. 
     A fourth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the third embodiment wherein the cushioning portion has an oval shape, an ellipse shape, a capsule shape, a stadium shape, or an egg shape and the reinforcement portion has an elongated shape. 
     A fifth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the fourth embodiment wherein the reinforcement portion has a rectangular shape and has an edge attached to or integral with an edge of the cushioning portion. 
     A sixth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the fifth embodiment wherein the cushioning portion and the reinforcement portion comprise a unitary structure molded from silicon rubber. 
     A seventh embodiment that is the thumb brace of the second embodiment wherein the pad further comprises one or more tab portions each having an edge attached to or integral with an edge of cushioning portion. 
     An eighth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the sixth embodiment wherein the unitary structure molded from silicon rubber further comprises one or more tab portions each having an edge attached to or integral with an edge of cushioning portion. 
     A ninth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the eighth embodiment wherein the unitary structure comprises a first tab positioned adjacent to the reinforcement portion such that the first tab and the reinforcement portion are attached to or integral with a front edge of the cushioning portion. 
     A tenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the ninth embodiment wherein the unitary structure comprises a second tab positioned opposite the first tab and attached to or integral with a back edge of the cushioning portion. 
     An eleventh embodiment that is the thumb brace of the tenth embodiment wherein the pad is attached to the glove via the first and second tabs. 
     A twelfth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the eleventh embodiment wherein the first and second tabs are stitched to the glove. 
     A thirteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the second embodiment further comprising a strap attached to the reinforcement portion, wherein the reinforcement portion reinforces the strap, provides elasticity to the strap, or both. 
     A fourteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the seventh embodiment further comprising a strap attached to the reinforcement portion, wherein the reinforcement portion reinforces the strap, provides elasticity to the strap, or both. 
     A fifteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the eleventh embodiment further comprising a strap attached to the reinforcement portion, wherein the reinforcement portion reinforces the strap, provides elasticity to the strap, or both. 
     A sixteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the twelfth embodiment further comprising a strap attached to the reinforcement portion via stitching, wherein the reinforcement portion reinforces the strap, provides elasticity to the strap, or both. 
     A seventeenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the thirteenth embodiment wherein the strap has a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove and the first end, the second end, or both are releasably attached to an attachment region positioned on the back of the glove, wherein the first strap extends a distal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of the user of the brace. 
     An eighteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the fourteenth embodiment wherein the strap has a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove and the first end, the second end, or both are releasably attached to an attachment region positioned on the back of the glove, wherein the first strap extends a distal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of the user of the brace. 
     A nineteenth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the fifteenth embodiment wherein the strap has a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove and the first end, the second end, or both are releasably attached to an attachment region positioned on the back of the glove, wherein the first strap extends a distal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of the user of the brace. 
     A twentieth embodiment that is the thumb brace of the sixteenth embodiment wherein the strap has a first end, a mid-portion, and a second end, wherein the mid-portion is disposed within a cradle of the glove between the thumb portion and an index finger portion of the glove and the first end, the second end, or both are releasably attached to an attachment region positioned on the back of the glove, wherein the first strap extends a distal end of a gloved thumb metacarpal bone of a gloved hand of the user of the brace. 
     While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods might be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented. 
     In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.