US Patent 7615020 Support with removable pressure/alignment ring

A support for an area of a body including a hinge joint includes: a framework having a surface for abutment with an area of a body including a hinge joint, said framework defining a permanent opening in said surface regardless of whether said surface is in abutment with the area of the body, said permanent opening extending completely through said framework; and a member removable from said framework that is positionable proximate to said permanent opening of said framework for disposition between said permanent opening of said framework and the area of the body to be supported, said removable member being contoured to receive therein a joint protuberance of the hinge joint.