Patent ID: 7708708

Claim:
A method of donning a potentiating support for a hinge joint of a body, comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a garment proximate an area of the body; (b) positioning an expandable and recoverable framework in abutment with the area of the body such that the framework spans a hinge joint of the body, the framework comprising an integrally molded network of interconnected, elastomeric segments, wherein (i) a first subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments defines a perimeter of the framework, (ii) a second subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments located within the perimeter of the framework bounds and defines a plurality of permanent openings in the framework, (iii) none of the interconnected, elastomeric segments of the first subset are part of the second subset, and (iv) a particular permanent opening of the plurality of permanent openings in the framework comprises an alignment opening that is dimensioned to receive therein a joint protuberance of the hinge joint, the alignment opening serving to maintain the support in a proper orientation relative to the hinge joint when the support is worn; (c) applying tension at points of the framework such that the framework is expanded and the framework is tensioned in its abutment with the area of the body, said step of applying tension being performed by pulling on fastening components that are attached to the framework; (d) independently affixing each of the fastening components to the garment while applying tension to the framework to secure the expanded framework in its forced abutment with the area of the body; and (e) positioning an alignment member contoured to receive the joint protuberance that is dimensioned to extend within the alignment opening, the alignment member being entirely separable from the framework.