An elbow brace or support is a useful device that can help patients affected by either repetitive stress or acute injuries to the ligaments and tendons of that joint.
The elbow moves in both flexion and extension and is also affected by movements of the forearm. Several sporting or other activities can subject the joint to unusual levels of stress. These include throwing or pitching a baseball, for example. Activities that involve repetitive gripping also cause stress to the forearm muscles..These muscles attach to the bony bump (lateral epicondyle) on the outer elbow as well as to the corresponding bump (the medial epicondyle) on the inner elbow. They attach to each bump via tendons on the outer and inner elbow respectively.
Overstressing the forearm muscles can lead to soreness and inflammation of the corresponding elbow tendons. When the outer elbow tendons become inflamed, the result is lateral epicondyltis (tennis elbow). If the inner elbow tendons are similarly affected, the result is medial epicondylitis (golfers elbow). Elbow supports can be used to treat these two conditions.
Despite their names, neither tennis nor golf elbow is exclusively associated with any particular sport. Instead, as mentioned, individuals that perform activities that make use of the forearm gripping muscles are at risk of developing these conditions. Using a paintbrush, computer mouse or even a pen can all give rise to these conditions.
In addition, elbow braces can be used to help treat contusions of the olecranon bursa situated at the bony point of the elbow. Individuals suffering from generally sore or tired forearm muscles can also benefit from the compression and soothing warmth of an elbow brace.
In addition to overuse injuries such as those mentioned above, an elbow support can be an effective treatment for acute injuries such as an elbow strain. By applying warmth and compression, they will help to speed recovery from these injuries.
Finally, some elbow braces can effectively provide warmth and compression to the entire elbow joint. In so doing, they can help to ward off the risk of elbow injuries in an otherwise healthy individual.
This is an especially relevant consideration for “weekend warriors” engaging in occasional sporting activities that place stress on the forearm muscles and elbow tendons. If they do not warm up properly, these individuals are at risk of receiving an acute injury such as an elbow strain. Wearing a brace that keeps the elbow ligaments and other tissues warm from the outset helps to reduce this risk.
We will now consider the different designs of elbow brace or support and the elbow injuries that each design is equipped to treat. Armed with this knowledge, your healthcare professional will be able to select the best brace for his or her patient’s injuries.
There are 3 types of elbow brace design available in the market today:
These extend from a few inches above the elbow to a few inches below it. They are equipped with straps that provide a customizable fit while allowing a full range of motion.
These braces are the most versatile types of elbow brace categories available on the market today. They are useful for treating compound elbow injuries e.g. tennis elbow accompanied by an elbow strain. Another useful feature is that of adjustable compression. This type of brace can be used to apply higher levels of compression when elbow pain is more severe, followed by less compression when the pain eases.
These elbow braces are similar to elbow sleeves with straps except that they do not include straps. This type of design can be used to treat tennis or golf elbow but it can also apply general compression to the elbow joint to treat other conditions like olecranon bursitis or a strained elbow if these are also present. If the patient is also suffering from sore or overstressed forearm muscles in general, this type of brace may again be an optimal choice.
As their name implies, these braces are essentially straps that fit just below the elbow. They are designed to precisely target the medial and lateral elbow tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the elbow (as described above). If the patient is suffering only from tennis and/or golfers elbow, this brace design may be the most cost effective device for treatment of those injuries. However, it does not offer any options for treating other elbow injuries if these are also present.
If you have further questions on selecting the appropriate brace for particular elbow injuries, you may find answers in our post on selecting an elbow brace for tennis elbow.
The more sophisticated elbow braces are made from breathable materials to maximize long term wearing comfort. Some are also treated with antimicrobial agents to eliminate the odor of perspiration and improve patient compliance.
If these designs are within your budget, they will prove to be well worth the necessary investment, especially if you need to wear your brace while performing athletic activities. They will allow you to remain cool and comfortable under the brace and continue wearing it throughout your exertions, which is optimal for pain relief and the successful long term treatment of your injury.
It is important to be aware of how to wash and care for your elbow brace. For example, many of them are made from special materials that make machine washing or drying inadvisable, as it may damage the fabric of the brace and compromise its performance. Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to get the best value from your investment.
As with all orthopedic braces, correct sizing is extremely important. Some elbow braces have a one size fits all design, but others are sized. For the latter, be careful to closely follow any sizing charts or other guidance that are provided by the manufacturer and presented on this site.
An elbow brace that is too large may not provide the degree of compression you need for pain relief. On the other hand, a brace that is too tight will be uncomfortable to wear and may cause poor patient compliance;
If you need any further guidance on selecting the right elbow support, please contact us. Although we do not provide medical advice, our customer service personnel can provide general guidance on the pros and cons of each alternative design. Before contacting us, we suggest reading our post on elbow brace questions and answers, as you may find answers to your questions there.
If you would like to know more about treating elbow injuries, you can read our post on young athletes and elbow injuries. For further specific information on elbow injuries, please consult with your medical professional.
The Mueller 4 Way Stretch Elbow Support allows you to continue pursuing an active lifestyle with no loss of comfort of convenience.
The Mueller adjustable elbow support is designed to support sore, weak or injured elbows while being comfortable enough for all day wear..
The BandIt Elbow Brace is the only medically designed device which aids in the relief and prevention of pain associated with Tendinitis, Tennis Elbow, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Repetitive Stress Injuries and Cumulative Trauma Disorders sustained in the workplace or in recreational environments. Designed by world renowned orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, Donald Fareed, M.D. As a long time consultant to members of the Davis Cup, other professional sports teams and Olympic athletes, he designed the BandIt Strap based on 20 years of clinical observation and treatments of RSIs.
The BandIT XM Elbow Support is based on the renowned BandIT elbow brace but also includes Magna-Therapy as a significant wearable anti inflammatory enhancement. As with the Band IT, the BandIT XM features an innovative non constrictive design in the form of two soft plastic plates design to c;losely conform to the shape of the forearm.
The Mueller Elastic Elbow Support will provide firm and reliable elbow support and is nevertheless lightweight with complete user comfort.
The Mueller Elbow Sleeve offers compression and soothing warmth to help promote healing from general elbow injuries. Fits either elbow.
The McDavid Elbow Sleeve / 4-Way Elastic w/Gel Buttresses offers exceptional function in managing olecranon bursitis.
Level 2: Advanced Protection – Breathable and comfortable relief from bursitis, arthritis, and tendonitis, especially golf and tennis elbow
The McDavid Elbow Sleeve / Elastic provides mild compression for soft tissue support without heat retention.
Level 1: Primary Protection – Support, helping to relieve pain and promote healing
The McDavid Elbow Strap With Pads has dual Sorbothane® pads that provide targeted, pain-relieving pressure.
Level 2: Advanced Protection – Helping to relieve painful tennis or golf elbow symptoms using targeted pressure
Provides support and compression to weak and strained muscles. The spandex material allows the sleeve to be stretched both in width and length resulting in a comfortable and customized fit, as well as a high level of compression.
The McDavid Elbow Support With Strap has an adjustable hook and loop cinch strap for direct tendon pressure and support. It also features McDavid’s exclusive 5-needle stitch for a flatter, cleaner and stronger seam.
Level 2: Advanced Protection – Soft tissue support to help relieve painful tennis/golf elbow symptoms
The Mueller Elbow Support, Black, OSFM, features controlled compression for a comfortable fit and soothing warmth and has adjustable straps for a customized fit.
The Mueller Hg80 Elbow Support boasts their patented Hg80 design with antimicrobial protection in a lightweight and comfort oriented elbow brace.
The Mueller Hg80 Premium Tennis Elbow Support features AEGIS Anti-Microbial treatment, a latex and neoprene free durable outer layer, breathable materials, moisture management fabric and a thin design. This is one of the most comfortable tennis elbow braces you can wear, while sacrificing nothing to effectiveness.
The McDavid Hyperblend Elbow Sleeve w/Strap addresses the symptoms of tennis or golfers’ elbow by combining the support of neoprene with the breathable compression of knit material.
Find out how the Mueller Omniforce Elbow Support targets key compression areas while allowing natural stretch.
The BioSkin Standard Elbow Skin provides full elbow coverage and optimal compression for treatment of elbow pain caused from contusion, bursitis, and joint swelling. Constructed from BioSkin’s patented thin, breathable, Ultima™ material, which keeps you cool and dry and quickly wicks moisture away from the skin
Lateral and medial epicondylitis treatment
The BioSkin Tennis Elbow Band fits comfortably below the crease of the elbow and includes a silicone pad and an elastic strap that may be positioned to provide extra compression and pain relief from lateral and medial epicondylitis.
