Research- Transplant Protection Clothing- Feedback Welcome

[Leggy1927]

Hi Everyone, hope you're all keeping well.

I wanted to ask of your opinions to see if this idea I have is worth pursuing as a product. It is essentially seeing if this is something to investigate further.

My backstory is that I had a kidney transplant at 17. Upon recovery I was interested in playing football and other non-contact sports. I asked if there was anything available that I could wear like a belt that would help with reducing the risk of damage upon impact. Unfortunately the medical team were unaware of anything available. This really dented my confidence in getting back to physical activity.

Fast forward 11 years, having seen nothing on the market, I wanted to re-look at this idea and see if it would be a viable product, that people having had transplant surgery would wear this, so that perhaps one day, a young 17 year old who upon recovery, wants to go back into sport can wear this and help boost their confidence.

Essentially, the idea is to create an ultra-lightweight, breathable, but strong piece of clothing focused on the abdomen area that looks incognito on the wearer. It would be designed so that it is worn to is to reduce the risk of damage upon impact when the wearer is out and about.

Obviously this would not be meant for those wishing to participate in contact sports (Rugby, American Football), but to help those who participate in non contact sports where they could potentially hurt themselves (Football/Soccer, Basketball, Cycling, Horseriding among others).

Thanks for reading this and I hope you take the time to leave your feedback, whether this would be something you would be interested in wearing.

Best regards,

Leggy

[YorkyinNorfolk]

There are a few articles out there on this subject. I know that athletes within the British Transplant Games have discussed adapting equipment shields etc from other sport’s.Try this site:

irocnow.org/kidney-guards

[Indianmotorcycles]

This sounds like just what I have been trying to find for riding a motorcycle. I figured it would be an easy thing to get but have yet to find one.

[SOct91]

I actually did wear a kidney protector as a kid when biking. I wasn’t allowed to play contact sports but biking was a big leisure activity in my family. It was essentially a stretchy belt with a hard area covering my kidney. It always rode up and out of place so it definitely needs some tweaking but it is worth pursuing for that and other sports/activities.

[JackN]

Sean Elliott and Alonzo Mourning played in the NBA after having kidney transplants. Maybe you can research what they wore or even contact them and ask?

[Jepsos]

Maybe a hernia corset??? I wore one after my PD catheter surgery. It’s essentially a 12-16 inch long elastic corset that has a hard plastic insert that you can move to cover a hernia or incision. It provided me with a ton of support and the hard plastic acted like a cup and jockstrap for my kidney.