Pillar pad system and method

Abstract

A protective garment is disclosed. The protective garment includes a fingerless glove, a pocket, and a pad. The protective garment is useful for reducing pain from contacting objects after carpal tunnel surgery. The pocket of the fingerless glove covers from the middle of the palm of the hand to the wrist. A pad is inserted into the pocket which is useful for alleviating contact force against the palm of the hand of the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective garment comprising a fingerless glove having a pad pocket for an interchangeable pad for a palm of the glove joined only to the glove's palm side with the pad disposed inside the pocket wherein the structure of the pad protects the palm. 
     
     
         2 . The protective garment of  claim 1  wherein the glove comprises a wrist sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The protective garment of  claim 2  wherein the pad pocket is openable and closeable. 
     
     
         4 . The protective garment of  claim 3  wherein the pocket comprises a fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The protective garment of  claim 4  wherein the fastener is selected from hook-and-loop fasteners, clips, magnetic fasteners, clasps, strings, zippers, buttons, snaps, buckles, ties, or bands. 
     
     
         6 . The protective garment of  claim 4  further comprising stitches extending across and closing a pocket opening. 
     
     
         7 . The protective garment of  claim 6  wherein the glove or the sleeve comprise compression material. 
     
     
         8 . The protective garment of  claim 7  wherein the pocket sits between a middle of the palm and wrist. 
     
     
         9 . The protective garment of  claim 8  wherein the glove is configured to allow thumb and finger movement. 
     
     
         10 . The protective garment of  claim 9  wherein the glove is right-handed. 
     
     
         11 . The protective garment of  claim 9  wherein the glove is left-handed. 
     
     
         12 . The protective garment of  claim 9  wherein the pad is configured to buffer palm contact force. 
     
     
         13 . The protective garment of  claim 12  wherein the pad cushions the palm or wrist. 
     
     
         14 . The protective garment of  claim 13  wherein the pad comprises gel, foam, fabric, feathers, polyester, cotton, or plastics. 
     
     
         15 . The protective garment of  claim 9  wherein the sleeve is configured to decrease pressure within the carpal tunnel. 
     
     
         16 . A protective garment comprising a fingerless glove having:
 a wrist sleeve;   and   an openable and closable pad pocket for an interchangeable pad for a palm joined only to the glove's palm-side between a middle of the palm and wrist,   
       wherein
 the pad is disposed inside the pocket, 
 the pocket comprises a fastener selected from hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, buttons, snaps, buckles, ties, or bands, 
 the structure of the pad protects the palm and buffers palm contact force, 
 the glove or the sleeve comprise compression material configured to decrease pressure within the carpal tunnel, 
 and 
 the glove is configured to allow thumb and finger movement. 
 
     
     
         17 . A kit comprising the protective garment of  claim 1  and a plurality of pads comprising different materials. 
     
     
         18 . A method of wearing a protective garment comprising the steps of:
 providing a post-hand-or-wrist-surgery region;   inserting the region into a glove having a pad pocket;   adjusting a flap on the glove to fit the region; and   supplying a pad;   positioning the pad in the pocket over the region.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the pad-supplying step comprises supplying the pad at ambient temperature.