Elbow tendonitis is a common condition resulting from the overuse of the forearm muscles, leading to pain and tenderness near the elbow joint. It typically presents as either lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), affecting the tendons on the outside of the elbow, or medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow), which involves the tendons on the inside. Managing this discomfort often involves modifying activity, performing physical therapy, and utilizing an external support. This guide explores bracing options to achieve relief and maintain function.
Understanding Elbow Tendonitis and Brace Function
Elbow tendonitis involves inflammation or, more commonly, degeneration of the tendons connecting the forearm muscles to the humerus bone at the elbow. Lateral epicondylitis targets the wrist extensor tendons, while medial epicondylitis affects the wrist flexor tendons. Repetitive strain causes micro-tears and structural changes at the tendon insertion site, leading to localized pain that worsens with activity.
The primary goal of any elbow brace is to reduce the mechanical strain on the injured tendon insertion point. Braces achieve this through stress redirection or counterforce. By applying targeted compression to the muscle belly in the forearm, the brace creates a new, artificial point of muscle attachment. This action forces the muscle to contract against the brace instead of pulling directly on the painful tendon at the epicondyle, dampening the force exerted on the injury site.
Classifying Elbow Braces by Design
Braces for elbow tendonitis fall into distinct structural categories, each offering a different level and type of support.
Counterforce Strap
The Counterforce Strap is the most widely recognized design for tendonitis, consisting of a narrow band that wraps around the forearm just below the elbow. These straps often feature a built-in pad or bolster to apply focused pressure directly over the muscle bulk, making them effective at stress redirection. Their small, low-profile design allows for full elbow joint mobility, though the concentrated pressure can sometimes feel constrictive during prolonged wear.
Compression Sleeves
Compression Sleeves are constructed from elastic or knitted fabric, such as neoprene, and slide over the entire elbow joint. They provide uniform, circumferential pressure, which helps increase circulation, reduce swelling, and offer generalized support and warmth. Sleeves are comfortable for all-day use and provide excellent proprioceptive feedback, but they lack the targeted counterforce pressure needed to redirect stress away from an acutely painful tendon insertion.
Specialized Braces
Specialized Braces include complex designs like hinged or rigid supports, generally reserved for more severe injuries or post-operative recovery. These braces restrict the range of motion and offer the highest level of stability, often incorporating metal hinges or rigid components. While they offer maximum support, they are unnecessary and overly restrictive for standard cases of lateral or medial epicondylitis.
Selecting the Right Brace for Your Needs
Choosing the best brace requires aligning the brace’s design with the specific characteristics of the injury and the user’s lifestyle.
Pain Location
Pain Location is the primary consideration, as counterforce straps must be placed over the correct muscle group. For lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), the strap should be positioned over the wrist extensor muscles on the outside of the forearm. For medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow), it targets the wrist flexor muscles on the inside.
Severity of Pain
The Severity of Pain dictates the required level of support. For mild cases involving generalized aching or inflammation, a compression sleeve may provide sufficient comfort for daily activities. For moderate to severe, sharp, localized pain experienced during specific movements like lifting or gripping, a counterforce strap is the preferred choice due to its ability to apply focused mechanical relief. A hinged or rigid brace is only considered if the elbow joint is unstable or recovery requires limited movement.
Activity Level
The patient’s Activity Level also plays a role in selection. Individuals engaged in high-impact sports or repetitive, forceful work movements benefit most from the targeted stress reduction of a counterforce strap worn only during the aggravating activity. For those seeking all-day comfort, generalized support, or relief from chronic, low-level aching, a compression sleeve is more suitable. The best brace is ultimately the one that provides the greatest reduction in pain while allowing the necessary functional movement.
Proper Application and Usage Guidelines
Correct application ensures the brace functions as intended and prevents secondary issues like restricted circulation.
Placement
For a counterforce strap, the correct placement is typically one to two finger-widths, or about one inch (2.5 cm), below the elbow crease and directly over the bulkiest part of the muscle. The pad or pressure point should rest directly on the muscle belly corresponding to the painful side of the elbow, not on the bony joint itself.
Tension
The optimal tension is achieved when the strap feels snug and provides noticeable pain relief during a gripping motion, but is not so tight that it restricts blood flow or causes numbness. A simple check is ensuring that a finger can still easily slide underneath the edge of the strap. Excessive tightness can cause discomfort or tingling in the hand, indicating the strap must be loosened immediately.
Usage and Maintenance
Braces should primarily be worn during activities that aggravate the tendon, such as playing sports, lifting, or repetitive work tasks, rather than worn constantly. Wearing a compression brace while sleeping is discouraged, as it can cause circulatory issues. Maintenance involves regular cleaning with mild detergent and air-drying to ensure the brace remains hygienic and the material retains its supportive properties.