Abstract: The present invention involves a garment for enveloping at least in part a joint, for example a knee of a leg. Comprising a belt disposed to fit about a body part, for example the waist, of the user, a plurality of inextensible web portions and a tension member are disposed longitudinally along a corresponding predetermined curved three-dimensional spatial path within or on a matrix of a garment fabric along the leg. The path spatially relates the first tension member to at least one natural ligament of the knee, at least one of the plurality of inextensible web portions being disposed to apply pressure to the medial side of the knee. The tension member is anchored by the triceps surae of the leg and to the belt via a tensioner. A second tension member may be incorporated in the garment leg to apply pressure to the lateral side of the knee.

Abstract: A garment of the present invention comprises a closed tensionable loop for stabilizing a human knee. The loop is arranged to freely move along a conduit within the garment and is provided with a tensioner. The conduit crosses over itself between the lateral and a medial side on the anterior of the leg at least one of above and below the knee to provide compression on the ligaments of the knee when the loop is tensioned. The conduit circles the lower leg at a distal region of the triceps surae, thereby providing an anchor to the lower leg. An anchor is provided at or above the thigh. A method for stabilizing the knee using the tensionable loop involves positioning the garment so as to ensure that the conduit follows a predetermined path on the leg that places the loop over at least one of the two collateral ligaments of the knee and the tensioner is operated to adjust the compression on the ligaments.

Abstract: A garment of the present invention comprises a closed tensionable loop for stabilizing a human knee. The loop is arranged to freely move along a conduit within the garment and is provided with a tensioner. The conduit crosses over itself between the lateral and a medial side on the anterior of the leg at least one of above and below the knee to provide compression on the ligaments of the knee when the loop is tensioned. The conduit circles the lower leg at a distal region of the triceps surae, thereby providing an anchor to the lower leg. An anchor is provided at or above the thigh. A method for stabilizing the knee using the tensionable loop involves positioning the garment so as to ensure that the conduit follows a predetermined path on the leg that places the loop over at least one of the two collateral ligaments of the knee and the tensioner is operated to adjust the compression on the ligaments.