Method and apparatus for supporting a body part

A splint adapted for use on a body to externally support a selected body part having a long axis, comprising:

• (a) an elongated sheath formed of a flexible material and having a sheath interior with a first length;
• and
• (b) an elongated support piece formed of a stiff material and received in the sheath interior and having a second length that is less than the first length whereby said support piece may move relative to said sheath within the interior thereof, said sheath and said support piece configured to extend alongside the selected body part when in the mounted state.

In an elastic brace adapted for use on a body to externally support a selected body part having a long axis wherein the brace includes an elastic casing sized and adapted to extend around and encase the selected body part, the improvement comprising an elongated sheath formed in said casing and constructed of a flexible material and having a sheath interior with a first length and an elongated support piece formed of a stiff material and received in the sheath interior and having a second length that is less than the first length whereby said support piece may move relative to said sheath within the interior thereof, said stiff material constructed as a woven composite.

A method for externally supporting a selected body part having along axis, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a splint including a sheath of flexible material and a support piece disposed in an interior of said sheath;
• (b) placing said splint alongside the selected body part in an orientation that it parallel to the long axis thereof;
• (c) securing said splint in a mounted state in a manner such that, during movement, said support piece can reciprocate in a longitudinal direction within the interior of said sheath.