Orthopaedic vest that is easy to put on and associated method
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023806280
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-11-18
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing orthopedic vests for shoulder pathology are complex to set up, especially for users alone, as they require raising the injured arm, which can be painful and dangerous, and simpler sling systems do not provide adequate shoulder immobilization.
An orthopedic vest design with a main body comprising a shoulder part, front, and rear parts that can be easily placed on the shoulder, featuring reversible fasteners and an additional strap to form a sleeve around the forearm, allowing for secure immobilization without requiring the user to lift their injured arm.
Enables easy and safe donning by the user alone, providing effective immobilization of the shoulder while being adaptable to different body shapes and suitable for either shoulder, reducing pain and risk during setup.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] DESCRIPTION
[0002] TITLE: Orthopedic vest with easy donning and associated method
[0003] The present invention relates to an orthopedic vest intended to surround a shoulder of a user, in particular for a person suffering from a shoulder pathology.
[0004] Such orthopedic vests do exist. However, they are generally complicated to put on, especially when the user is alone and must put them on without outside help.
[0005] In particular, such orthopedic vests generally include an opening in the main body for sliding the upper limb corresponding to the injured shoulder. However, such donning requires raising the upper limb and then mobilizing the injured shoulder, which can be painful and / or dangerous for the shoulder.
[0006] Simpler sling systems also exist. However, such systems are designed only to support the upper limb and not to encircle the shoulder, thus immobilizing it.
[0007] One aim of the invention is therefore to propose an orthopedic vest that is easy to put on, in particular by the user alone, and provides good immobilization of the shoulder.
[0008] For this purpose, the subject of the invention is an orthopedic vest comprising a main body comprising a shoulder portion to be placed on a shoulder of a user, a front portion adapted to extend over the chest of the user and a rear portion adapted to extend over the back of the user, each of the front portion and the rear portion comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portions of the front portion and the rear portion being adapted to be reversibly attached to each other, the second end portions of the front portion and the rear portion being permanently connected in an upper portion by the shoulder portion and being adapted to be attached, for example reversibly, to each other in a lower portion, for example by a tether strap,the orthopedic vest comprising a panel attached to or extending from a lower end of the front portion, the panel being adapted to be folded and reversibly attached to the front portion above the lower end, to form a sleeve for a forearm of an upper limb corresponding to the shoulder of the user, the orthopedic vest comprising an additional strap, the additional strap comprising a first end portion adapted to be reversibly attached to the front portion or the panel and a second end portion adapted to be reversibly attached to the rear portion, such that the additional strap encircles the arm of the upper limb.,
[0009] The main body is easily fitted by placing the shoulder portion over the injured shoulder and closing by reversibly fastening the front panel and back panel together. The panel and additional strap are then attached using reversible fasteners to improve immobilization.
[0010] According to other advantageous but optional characteristics of the invention, taken in isolation or in any technically admissible combination:
[0011] - the first end portion and the second end portion of the additional strap are adapted to be reversibly attached to the main body and / or to the panel, so that the additional strap surrounds the arm in the lower two-thirds of the arm;
[0012] - the first end portions of the front part and the rear part are adapted to be attached together by a hook-and-loop fastener and / or the attachment strap is of material or attached to one of the front part or the rear part and adapted to be attached to the other of the front part and the rear part by a hook-and-loop fastener and / or the panel is adapted to be reversibly attached to the front part by a hook-and-loop fastener and / or the first end portion and the second end portion of the additional strap are adapted to be attached to the main body and where appropriate to the panel by a hook-and-loop fastener;
[0013] - one of the first end portion of the front part and the first end portion of the rear part is provided with a self-gripping fastening strip adapted to be reversibly fastened to the other of the first end portion of the front part and the first end portion of the rear part;
[0014] - the main body comprises a sleeve portion extending from the shoulder portion, the sleeve portion being adapted to extend along the upper limb of the user, the sleeve portion comprising a distal portion adapted to be reversibly attached to the sleeve when the panel is attached;
[0015] - the sleeve portion has clips configured so that the sleeve portion surrounds the elbow of the upper limb;
[0016] - the main body has a general shape symmetrical with respect to a frontal plane;
[0017] - the shoulder portion comprises a shoulder pad; and / or - the first end portions of the front portion and the rear portion are notched.
[0018] The invention further relates to a method for fitting an orthopedic vest as defined above, comprising the following steps, for example in this order:
[0019] - supply of an orthopedic vest as defined above, the first end portions of the front part and the rear part being separated from each other,
[0020] - placing the main body on a user, the shoulder part covering a shoulder of the user,
[0021] - attachment of the first end portions of the front part and the rear part to each other by reversible attachment and of the second end portions of the front part and the rear part by reversible attachment,
[0022] - attachment of the panel to the front portion, so as to form a sleeve around a forearm of an upper limb of the user corresponding to the shoulder covered by the shoulder portion, and
[0023] - installation of the additional strap, the first end portion of the additional strap being reversibly attached to the front part or to the panel and the second end portion of the additional strap being reversibly attached to the rear part, so that the additional strap surrounds the arm of the upper limb, more particularly in the lower two-thirds of the arm.
[0024] According to other advantageous but optional features of the invention, the method comprises a step of fixing the distal portion of the sleeve portion to the sleeve after attaching the panel and before putting in place the additional strap.
[0025] The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear in the light of the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
[0026] [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a view of an orthopedic vest according to an example of the invention,
[0027] [Fig 2] [Fig 3] [Fig 4] Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate successive stages of the installation of the orthopedic vest in Figure 1.
[0028] An example of an orthopedic vest 10 according to the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4.
[0029] The orthopedic vest 10 comprises a main body 12 and here an additional strap 14. The main body 12 comprises a shoulder portion 16 to be placed on a shoulder of a user, more particularly a single shoulder portion 16, a front portion 18 adapted to extend over the chest of the user and a rear portion 20 adapted to extend over the back of the user.
[0030] Here, an internal face is further defined, corresponding to the face of the main body intended to extend against the user, and an external face corresponding to the face opposite the internal face.
[0031] The terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lower”, “upper” mean the usual meaning when considering the vest worn by a user in a position as provided herein.
[0032] The shoulder part 16, the front part 18 and the rear part 20 are here formed from a single piece.
[0033] The shoulder portion 16 comprises a shoulder pad 21.
[0034] The 21 shoulder pad facilitates the positioning of the main body, by materializing the location of the shoulder, and provides additional protection for the shoulder.
[0035] The front portion 18 and the rear portion 20 are intended to together surround the torso of a user, the shoulder portion 16 connecting the front portion 18 and the rear portion 20 by covering one of the shoulders.
[0036] The outer face of each of the front part 18 and the rear part 20 is, for example, made of brushed mesh.
[0037] Each of the front portion 18 and the rear portion 20 comprises a first end portion 22, 24 and a second end portion 26, 28.
[0038] More particularly, each of the front portion 18 and the rear portion 20 extends between the first end portion 22, 24 and the respective second end portion 26, 28.
[0039] In Figure 1, the first end portion 22 of the front part 18 is shown partially folded between the front part and the rear part to see the first end portion 24 of the rear part 20.
[0040] The first end portions 22, 24 are notched. More particularly, the height of each first end portion 22, 24 decreases continuously towards the distal end.
[0041] This allows in particular that one of the first end portions 22, 24 can be folded over the other of the first end portions by passing over the sleeve, as will be described below.
[0042] The first end portions 22, 24 of the front portion 18 and the rear portion 20 are adapted to be reversibly attached to each other. The first end portions 22, 24 of the front portion 18 and the rear portion 20 are, for example, attached together by a hook-and-loop fastener.
[0043] More particularly here, one of the first end portion 22 of the front part 18 and the first end portion 24 of the rear part 20 is provided with a self-gripping fastening strip 30, here on its internal face, more particularly at the distal end of the corresponding end portion. The strip 30 is, for example, provided with hooks.
[0044] More particularly here, each of the first end portion 22 of the front part 18 and the first end portion 24 of the rear part 20 is provided with a self-gripping fastening strip 30, on the internal face.
[0045] Band 30 is vertical here.
[0046] The other of the first end portion 22 of the front part 18 and the first end portion 24 of the rear part 20 is complementary to the strip 30, so that the strip 30 is adapted to be reversibly fixed to the other of the first end portion 22 of the front part 18 and the first end portion 24 of the rear part 20.
[0047] In the example described, the external face of the front part 18 and the rear part 20 being in brushed mesh, the hook band 30 is able to be attached reversibly directly to the entire external face at the desired location.
[0048] Alternatively, the other of the first end portion 22 of the front part 18 and the first end portion 24 of the rear part 20 is provided with a strip complementary to the strip 30 on the external face to allow reversible attachment.
[0049] This allows the vest to be adjustable in width to suit the user's body shape.
[0050] Indeed, the user can attach the strip 30 in any desired position on the main body 12.
[0051] In the example shown, one of the first end portion 22 of the front part 18 and the first end portion 24 of the rear part 20 is, in addition, provided with a complementary strip 32, here on its internal face. The strip 32 is complementary to the strip 30, so as to allow a reversible attachment between the strip 30 and the complementary strip 32. The complementary strip 32 is, for example, provided with loops complementary to the hooks of the strip 30.
[0052] More particularly here, each of the first end portion 22 of the front part 18 and the first end portion 24 of the rear part 20 is provided with such a complementary strip 32, on the internal face. The complementary strip 32 is arranged such that by folding the corresponding first end portion 22, 24 on the internal side, the strip 30 is able to be fixed on the complementary strip 32.
[0053] The complementary band 32 is, for example, horizontal.
[0054] This makes it possible in particular to be able to fold the corresponding first end portion 22, 24 in several locations, while the strip 30 is fixed to the complementary strip 32.
[0055] For example, in Figure 1, the first end portion 22 of the front part 18 is shown folded back on itself.
[0056] The complementary strip 32 is, for example, arranged adjacent to the strip 30.
[0057] Folding one of the first end portions back on itself makes it possible in particular to adjust the length of the first end portion and / or to cover the strip 30 when it is not in use, in particular so as not to damage any clothing underneath.
[0058] The second end portions 26, 28 of the front portion 18 and the rear portion 20 are permanently connected in an upper portion by the shoulder portion 16 and are adapted to be attached, here reversibly, to each other in a lower portion, here by a tether strap 34.
[0059] A space allowing the passage of a user's arm is present between the shoulder part 16 and the reversible attachment, here the attachment strap 34.
[0060] The attachment strap 34 is made of or attached to one of the front portion 18 or the rear portion 20 and extends from the corresponding second end portion 26, 28, more particularly a lower portion of said second end portion.
[0061] The attachment strap 34 is adapted to be attached to the other of the front portion 18 and the rear portion 20 by a hook-and-loop fastener.
[0062] More particularly, the attachment strap 34 is provided with a self-gripping strip on its internal face, the second end portion 26 of the other of the front part 18 and of the rear part 20 being provided with a complementary strip on its external face, more particularly in a lower portion of the corresponding second end portion.
[0063] In one embodiment, the main body 12 further comprises a sleeve portion 36 extending from the shoulder portion 16.
[0064] The handle portion 36 extends between a proximal end 38 and a distal end 40. The handle portion 36, more particularly its proximal end 38, is permanently attached to the shoulder portion 16.
[0065] The sleeve portion 36 is adapted to extend along the upper limb, the shoulder of which is covered by the shoulder portion 16, of the user.
[0066] The handle portion 36 includes a distal portion 42, including the distal end 40.
[0067] The distal portion 42 is, for example, provided with a self-gripping strip on its internal face.
[0068] The sleeve portion 36 has clips 44 adapted so that the sleeve portion surrounds the elbow of the upper limb.
[0069] Advantageously, the main body 10 has a general shape that is symmetrical with respect to a frontal plane, so that the main body 10 is able to surround a right shoulder or a left shoulder of the user.
[0070] More particularly, the front part 18 and the rear part 20 have superimposable shapes.
[0071] Thus, the same vest can be worn in one direction or another, depending on the injured shoulder.
[0072] The terms "front part" and "back part" then arbitrarily refer to one of the ways of wearing the vest, the part at the front when the vest covers the right shoulder being arranged at the back when the vest covers the left shoulder, and vice versa for the part at the back.
[0073] The vest 10 further includes a panel 46 attached to or extending from a lower end 48 of the front portion 18.
[0074] The panel 46 is, for example, a separate panel of the main body 12 fixed to the lower end 48 of the front part 18, for example, in a reversible manner.
[0075] The panel 46 extends between a first end 50 and a second end 52.
[0076] The panel 46 has an internal face 54 and an external face 56.
[0077] The outer face 56 is, for example, made of brushed mesh.
[0078] In the example shown, the lower end 48 of the front part 18, more particularly its external face, is provided with a self-gripping strip 49, for example here in loops, the first end 50 of the panel 46, more particularly its external face 56, being provided with a complementary strip, for example here in hooks.
[0079] Each of the bands are, for example, horizontal.
[0080] The panel 46 is then adapted to be reversibly attached to the front part 18 by a self-gripping fastener. This makes it possible in particular to modify the location of the panel 46, in particular in the horizontal direction to adapt the location of the panel according to the morphology of the user.
[0081] When the main body 12 has a general shape symmetrical with respect to the frontal plane, then the panel 46 is, for example, capable of being fixed alternately to the lower end 48 of the front part 18 and to a lower end of the rear part 20.
[0082] More particularly, the lower end of the rear part 20, more particularly its external face, is provided with a self-gripping strip similar to the strip of the lower end 48 of the front part 18.
[0083] The panel 46, more particularly its first end 50, is then capable of being fixed either to the front part 18 or to the rear part 20, depending on the shoulder to be covered.
[0084] Thus, the orthopedic vest 10 is adapted to be worn alternately at the right shoulder and the left shoulder of the user and to alternately support the right or left forearm, as will be described below, by changing the positioning of the panel 46.
[0085] Alternatively, the panel 46 is permanently attached to the main body 12 or is integral with the main body 12. The vest is then intended for one shoulder side only.
[0086] The panel 46 is adapted to be folded and reversibly attached to the front portion 18 above the lower end 48, in order to form a sleeve 58 for receiving a forearm of the upper limb corresponding to the covered shoulder.
[0087] More particularly, the panel 46 is provided with a self-gripping strip 60 at its second end 52, more particularly on its internal face 54.
[0088] Band 60, for example, is provided with hooks.
[0089] The 60 band extends horizontally here.
[0090] The band 60 has a sufficient dimension so that the attachment between the band 60 and the front portion 18 is capable of supporting a forearm in the sleeve.
[0091] The front part 18, more particularly on the external face of the main body 12, has at least one strip 62 complementary to the self-gripping strip 60.
[0092] The at least one complementary strip 62 is, for example, provided with loops.
[0093] The at least one strip 62 extends, for example, vertically.
[0094] This allows in particular that the strip 60 is fixed at the desired height on the at least one strip 62.
[0095] The at least one band 62 here comprises two bands.
[0096] The at least one strip 62 extends across an upper portion of the front portion 18. The at least one strip 62 and the lower end 48 of the front portion 18 are spaced at least five centimeters apart.
[0097] When the main body 12 has a general shape symmetrical with respect to the frontal plane, then the rear part 20 also comprises at least one band similar to the at least one band 62 arranged symmetrically with respect to the frontal plane.
[0098] Thus, the panel 46 is capable of being attached as a sleeve whether the main body 12 is worn to cover the user's right or left shoulder.
[0099] Alternatively, the strip 60 is fixed directly to the external face of the main body, 12, more particularly in brushed mesh, not provided with the at least one strip 62.
[0100] The distal portion 42 of the sleeve portion 36 is adapted to be reversibly attached to the sleeve 58 when the panel 46 is attached.
[0101] More particularly, the external face 56 of the panel 46 comprises at least one self-gripping strip 64, intended to extend at or under a forearm received in the sleeve 58, the distal portion 42 comprising a strip 66 complementary to the strip 64, here on its internal face.
[0102] Band 66 is, for example, provided with hooks, and band 64 with loops.
[0103] The strip 64 extends parallel to the first end 50 and the second end 52.
[0104] In the example shown, the distal portion 42 further comprises a second band 67 complementary to the band 66, for example provided with loops.
[0105] The band 66 is arranged between the second band 67 and the distal end 40.
[0106] Thus, the distal portion 42 is able to be folded, so that the strip 66 reversibly attaches to the second strip 67.
[0107] This allows the strip 66 to be covered when not in use, in particular to avoid damaging clothing to which it might become attached, for example while the vest is being put on as will be described below.
[0108] In the example shown, the panel 46 has a decreasing dimension from the first end 50 towards the second end 52. Said dimension is measured transversely with respect to the direction connecting the first end 50 towards the second end 52.
[0109] The panel 46 has at the first end 50 a dimension such that, when the panel 46 is fixed as a sleeve 58, the sleeve 58 is capable of surrounding a forearm and at least partially the corresponding hand, more particularly at least half of the hand, of a user wearing the vest. This makes it possible to support the entire upper limb, including the hand which is thus not drooping, which would also stress the upper limb. The panel 46 has at the second end 52 a dimension such that the second end remains fixed to the main body 12, without protruding from the main body 12, in particular without catching on the sides a garment of the user.
[0110] The additional strap 14 comprises a first end portion 68 and a second end portion 70.
[0111] The first end portion 68 is adapted to be reversibly attached to the front portion 18 or to the panel 46.
[0112] More particularly, in the example shown, the first end portion 68 is adapted to be reversibly attached to the external face 56 of the panel when the latter is attached in a sleeve 58.
[0113] The second end portion 70 is adapted to be reversibly attached to the rear portion 20.
[0114] Thus, the additional strap 14 surrounds the arm of the user's upper limb, here horizontally.
[0115] More particularly here, the first end portion 68 and the second end portion 70 of the additional strap 14 are adapted to be reversibly attached to the main body 12 and where appropriate to the panel 46, so that the additional strap 14 surrounds the arm in the lower two-thirds of the arm.
[0116] The first end portion 68 and the second end portion 70 of the additional strap 14 are adapted to be attached to the main body 12 and where appropriate to the panel 46 by a self-gripping fastening.
[0117] More particularly, the first end portion 68 is provided with a self-gripping strip 72, for example provided with hooks.
[0118] The self-gripping strip 72 is, for example, adapted to directly attach the external face 56 of the panel 46 and / or the external face of the front face 18.
[0119] Alternatively, the external face 56 of the panel comprises a strip complementary to the strip 72.
[0120] The second end portion 70 is provided with a self-gripping strip 74, for example provided with hooks.
[0121] The self-gripping strip 74 is adapted to cooperate with the external face of the rear part 20 and / or a complementary strip arranged on the rear part 20 to achieve a reversible attachment.
[0122] In one embodiment, the complementary strip of strip 74 is the at least one strip arranged on the rear portion 20 and similar to the at least one strip 62 on the front portion 18.
[0123] The strips 72 and 74 are provided on the same face of the additional strap 14. A method of fitting an orthopedic vest according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4.
[0124] A vest as previously described is provided.
[0125] The first end portions 22, 24 of the front part and the rear part are not attached to each other.
[0126] In a first example of a method of fitting, the second end portions 26, 28 of the front portion and the rear portion are attached to each other by the shoulder portion and the attachment strap 34.
[0127] The main body 12 is placed on the user such that the shoulder portion 16 covers a shoulder of the user.
[0128] The main body 12 is placed on the shoulder, so that the shoulder pad 21 of the shoulder part 16 corresponds to the shoulder to be covered.
[0129] The opening between the strap 34 and the shoulder portion 16 is large, which allows easy passage of the user's upper limb.
[0130] The front portion 18 extends across the user's chest and the rear portion 20 across the back.
[0131] In the case where the main body 12 is symmetrical, the front part corresponds for the remainder of the description to the part extending over the chest of the user and the rear part to the part extending over the back. However, in the case where the main body was placed on the other shoulder, then the naming of these parts would be exchanged for the remainder of the description of the installation method.
[0132] The first end portions 22, 24 are, hereafter, attached reversibly, more particularly so that the main body surrounds the user's torso, as shown in particular in FIG. 2.
[0133] The first end portions are attached in a position such that the main body 12 comfortably surrounds the torso.
[0134] In the example shown, the internal face of the rear part 20 is fixed to the external face of the front part 18.
[0135] The strip 30 of one of the first end portions 22, 24, here the first end portion 24 of the rear part 20, is fixed to the external face of the other part, here of the front part 18.
[0136] The other of the first end portions 22, 24, here the first end portion 22 of the front part 18, is, for example, previously folded back on itself, so that the strip 30 of said other first end portion is reversibly fixed to the complementary strip 32. The panel 46, more particularly its first end 50, is then attached to the front part 18, more particularly its lower end 48.
[0137] This is, for example, done before the main body is supplied or after the main body is supplied but before the main body is attached around the torso or after the main body is attached.
[0138] The panel 46, more particularly its second end 52, is reversibly attached to the front part 18, so as to form a sleeve 58 around a forearm of an upper limb of the user corresponding to the shoulder covered by the shoulder part 16.
[0139] More particularly, the strip 60 is attached to the front face 18, here to the at least one strip 62, at a height such that the user's forearm is supported, more particularly so as to form an angle less than or equal to 90° with the arm.
[0140] The hand is also at least partially supported here, for example at least up to half of the hand. This helps prevent a drooping hand.
[0141] This allows in particular that the weight of the upper limb does not excessively mobilize the shoulder.
[0142] Then, if necessary, the sleeve portion 36 is fixed to the panel 46.
[0143] More particularly, the distal portion 42 of the handle portion 36 is attached to the panel 46, more particularly to its outer face 56, more particularly to the sleeve 58, so that the handle portion 36 extends along the upper limb of the user, more particularly that the clips 44 surround the elbow of the user.
[0144] More particularly, strip 64 and strip 66 are attached to each other.
[0145] The distal portion 42 extends at or below the forearm received in the sleeve 58.
[0146] The 36 sleeve section thus provides additional support.
[0147] Then, the additional strap 14 is placed around the main body 12.
[0148] The first end portion 68 of the additional strap 14 is reversibly attached to the front part 18 and / or to the panel 46, more particularly to the external face 56 of the panel 46, here to the panel 46 folded into a sleeve 58.
[0149] The second end portion 70 of the additional strap 14 is reversibly attached to the rear part 20.
[0150] More particularly, the strip 74 is attached to the rear portion 20.
[0151] The additional strap 14 is put in place so as to surround the arm of the upper limb, more particularly in the lower two thirds of the arm, that is to say that the upper third of the arm is not surrounded by the additional strap 14. The additional strap 14 is put in place so as to immobilize the elbow against the user's body, more particularly with a slight internal rotation.
[0152] In a second example of a fitting method, the second end portions 26, 28 of the front portion and the rear portion are not attached to each other outside the shoulder portion, prior to fitting the main body 12 on the user.
[0153] The second end portions 26, 28 of the front part 18 and of the rear part 20 are then, for example, attached reversibly, here by self-gripping fastening, more particularly by the attachment strap, after the step of placing the main body 12 on the user.
[0154] The orthopedic vest according to the invention is easy to put on. More particularly, this can be done by the user without having to lift the injured shoulder.
[0155] In addition, the various reversible fasteners allow the vest to be adapted to the user's body shape.
[0156] Finally, the symmetry of the vest allows it to be adapted to cover a right or left shoulder, depending on the shoulder to be protected.
Claims
CLAIMS 1. An orthopedic vest (10) comprising a main body (12) including a shoulder portion (16) for placement over a shoulder of a user, a front portion (18) adapted to extend over the chest of the user, and a rear portion (20) adapted to extend over the back of the user, each of the front portion (18) and the rear portion (20) comprising a first end portion (22, 24) and a second end portion (26, 28), the first end portions (22, 24) of the front portion (18) and the rear portion (20) being adapted to be reversibly attached to each other, the second end portions (26, 28) of the front portion (18) and the rear portion (20) being permanently connected in an upper portion by the shoulder portion (16) and being adapted to be attached, for example, reversibly, to each other in a lower part, for example by a fastening strap (34),the orthopedic vest (10) comprising a panel (46) attached to or extending from a lower end (48) of the front portion (18), the panel (46) being adapted to be folded and reversibly attached to the front portion (18) over the lower end (48), to form a sleeve (58) for a forearm of an upper limb corresponding to the shoulder of the user, the orthopedic vest (10) comprising an additional strap (14), the additional strap (14) comprising a first end portion (68) adapted to be reversibly attached to the front portion (18) or the panel (46) and a second end portion (70) adapted to be reversibly attached to the rear portion (20), such that the additional strap (14) encircles the arm of the upper limb., 2. Orthopedic vest according to claim 1, wherein the first end portion (68) and the second end portion (70) of the additional strap (14) are adapted to be reversibly attached to the main body (12) and / or to the panel (46), so that the additional strap (14) surrounds the arm in the lower two-thirds of the arm.
3. An orthopedic vest according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first end portions (22, 24) of the front portion (18) and the rear portion (20) are adapted to be attached together by a hook-and-loop fastener and / or the attachment strap (34) is of material or attached to one of the front portion (18) or the rear portion (20) and adapted to be attached to the other of the front portion (18) and the rear portion (20) by a hook-and-loop fastener and / or the panel (46) is adapted to be reversibly attached to the front portion (18) by a hook-and-loop fastener and / or the first end portion (68) and the second end portion (70) of the additional strap (14) are adapted to be attached to the main body (12) and where appropriate to the panel (46) by a hook-and-loop fastener.
4. An orthopedic vest according to claim 3, wherein one of the first end portion (22) of the front portion (18) and the first end portion (24) of the rear portion (20) is provided with a self-gripping fastening strip (30) adapted to be reversibly fastened to the other of the first end portion (22) of the front portion (18) and the first end portion (24) of the rear portion (20).
5. An orthopedic vest according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main body (12) comprises a sleeve portion (36) extending from the shoulder portion (16), the sleeve portion (36) being adapted to extend along the upper limb of the user, the sleeve portion (36) comprising a distal portion (42) adapted to be reversibly attached to the sleeve (58) when the panel (46) is attached.
6. An orthopedic vest according to claim 5, wherein the sleeve portion (36) has clips (44) configured so that the sleeve portion (36) surrounds the elbow of the upper limb.
7. Orthopedic vest according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the main body (12) has a generally symmetrical shape with respect to a frontal plane.
8. An orthopedic vest according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shoulder portion (16) comprises a shoulder pad (21).
9. Orthopedic vest according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first end portions (22, 24) of the front part (18) and the rear part (20) are notched.
10. A method of fitting an orthopedic vest (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps, for example in this order: - providing an orthopedic vest (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the first end portions (22, 24) of the front part (18) and the rear part (20) being separated from each other, - placing the main body (12) on a user, the shoulder part (16) covering a shoulder of the user, - attachment of the first end portions (22, 24) of the front part (18) and the rear part (20) to each other by reversible attachment, - attaching the panel (46) to the front portion (18), so as to form a sleeve (58) around a forearm of an upper limb of the user corresponding to the shoulder covered by the shoulder portion (16), and - placing the additional strap (14), the first end portion (68) of the additional strap (14) being reversibly attached to the front portion (18) or to the panel (46) and the second end portion (70) of the additional strap (14) being reversibly attached to the rear portion (20), so that the additional strap (14) surrounds the arm of the upper limb, more particularly in the lower two-thirds of the arm.
11. Method of placing according to claim 10, in which the orthopedic vest (10) is according to claim 6, the method comprising a step of fixing the distal portion (42) of the sleeve portion (36) to the sleeve (58) after the attachment of the panel (46) and before the placing of the additional strap (14).