Home : Treatments : Different Types Of Elbow Braces

Different Types of Elbow Braces

Different Types of Elbow Braces

Tennis elbow is a painful inflammation of the tendon that occurs on the outer border of the elbow as a result of overuse of lower arm muscles. It is a common problem and is treated with the help of an elbow brace or tennis elbow strap. These straps are available widely in the market in different sizes, forms, and types. To choose a suitable elbow brace, one needs to try it out to see how the different types of braces work.

Choosing elbow braces
There are some primary factors you need to consider before buying elbow braces. Mainly, there are three varieties of elbow braces available in the market:

  • Epicondylitis clasp
  • Tennis elbow strap
  • Elbow sleeve

Epicondylitis clasp
The Epicondylitis clasp is usually the more expensive variety of tennis elbow supports and needs to be fitted properly to be effective. Such straps come with a clip or plastic clasp which fits around the arm and is secured with a strap with a pressure point that coincides over a muscle just a couple of centimeters below the point of pain that is near the elbow. The pressure on the tendon or muscle that is attached to the lateral epicondyle absorbs the impact that is transmitted to the tissues causing the injury. The angle at which the tendon works also changes according to the direction of the forces, thereby relieving symptoms of golfers elbow and tennis elbow.

Benefits of an epicondylitis clasp type tennis elbow brace:

  • If fitted accurately, they can be applied precisely to the point required which can help ease the bothersome symptoms.

Disadvantages of an epicondylitis clasp type tennis elbow brace:

  • Can be pricey
  • Difficulty in placement
  • A fair chance of moving out of place

An epicondylitis clasp elbow brace is usually recommended for skilled tennis players who need precision support for high impact forces.

Tennis elbow strap
A tennis elbow strap is a simple elbow brace available in different types that is wrapped around the forearm, just below the elbow. Certain varieties have additional pressure pads that are meant to sit at the muscle just below the point of pain of the elbow. These braces work by absorbing the forces which are transmitted through the soft tissues to the point of pain on the outside of the elbow by compressing the upper forearm. These braces are extremely useful as they change the angle at which the tendon works at the elbow. It alters the forces that are applied to the tendon attachment, thus permitting the injured area to recover faster.

Advantages of a tennis elbow strap:

  • Relatively inexpensive
  • Easy to fit
  • Level of compression can be adjusted according to requirements.

Disadvantages of tennis elbow strap:

  • Less precise than an epicondylitis clasp
  • No heat retention

A tennis elbow strap is recommended for people who display tennis elbow symptoms.

Tennis elbow sleeve
The tennis elbow sleeve is a combination of a simple elbow-sleeve along with a strap. While the sleeve provides compression, warmth, and support for the entire elbow, the strap can be tightened around the upper forearm. It thus works in the same way as a tennis elbow strap.

Advantages of a tennis elbow sleeve:

  • Provides warmth to the area of pain, which speeds up the healing process.
  • Tendons not damaged acutely or have suffered recent injuries respond well to heat.
  • The sleeve supports the whole joint to cover any other injuries as well as epicondylitis.

Disadvantages of a tennis elbow sleeve:

  • More cumbersome to wear
  • Tightening of the forearm strap could be compromised as compared to a separate strap.

Tennis elbow sleeve is recommended for most people with tennis elbow symptoms.

Benefits of using elbow braces
An elbow brace that is properly designed ensures quicker healing along with the ongoing treatment. The main benefits of using an elbow brace are:

  • They are cost-effective alternatives.
  • An elbow brace can relieve pain caused by tight muscle tension.
  • They prevent unwanted elbow movement.
  • They can help prevent chronic injuries by acting as a preventative measure.

Elbow braces are therefore extremely useful to provide full support and healing for an injury. They provide stability, warmth, relief and also promote healing. These braces come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are produced by different lines of manufacturers. Choose an elbow brace that is designed properly with a breathable, lightweight material.

Even after using elbow braces, if you are experiencing pain and inflammation then it is advised that you seek medical assistance. This can help you prevent any long-term or permanent damage to the elbow.

Popular Reads

You Will Not Believe This Common Condition Is One of the Brain Tumor Symptoms

You Will Not Believe This Common Condition Is One of the Brain Tumor Symptoms

You know about headaches and seizures, but did you know that this common condition is one of the brain tumor symptoms you ought to watch out for? Brain tumors manifest in symptoms for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, the brain is a very compact organ, and there is little to no space to accommodate the growth of other tissue inside the brain. Secondly, depending on exactly where they are growing inside the brain, these tumors push against and impose pressure on certain parts, and cause varying symptoms. Perhaps, the most common early warning symptom of brain tumors is a headache . Headaches may be severe to start off with, or may have a tendency to worsen early in the morning or after any activity. The second most commonly reported symptom of brain tumors is seizures or fits. Also known as convulsion, motor seizures are characterized by sudden involuntary movements of the muscles in a person’s body. Depending on the area that the tumor is pushing against, you may experience different types of seizures. The most common ones are myoclonic and tonic-clonic or Grand Mal seizures. Less common brain tumor symptoms include changes in sensory perceptions without being unconscious, personality/memory changes, nausea and vomiting and fatigue .
Everything You Need to Know About Haemophilia in Children

Everything You Need to Know About Haemophilia in Children

Get all your questions pertaining to haemophilia in children answered here. A first aid kit is your best friend as a parent. Children seem to know just how to walk in an unbalanced gait and topple over without any external help. The result is an extraordinary number of bumps and bruises that need more than a mother’s kiss to make better. While bruises and scrapes are a normal part of childhood, haemophilia children need extra care. A bruise or cut would heal and scab over for others, but for haemophilia children, even the smallest cuts are a cause of concern. If you are a parent with haemophilia children or would just like to know more about the condition to help your loved ones handle it better, here are the answer to the most common questions when it comes to haemophilia in children. What is Haemophilia? When you get a cut, there are clotting agents in your blood that act quickly to curb the bleeding. However, for haemophilia children, the disease actively stops blood from clotting properly. The result is an excessive loss of blood, which can be very dangerous to the health of haemophilia children. This genetic disorder tends to affect more boys than girls.
Do You Suffer from These Bladder Control Problems in Women?

Do You Suffer from These Bladder Control Problems in Women?

Do not just live with urinary incontinence – learn what causes it so you can improve bladder control problems in women. If you think that urinary incontinence is a problem that only older women and men deal with, think again. Bladder control problems in women are common, and they affect women of all age groups. Sometimes, there is a clear starting point for bladder control problems in women. You may have just delivered a baby, and are getting back to your active lifestyle, when you suffer through an “accident”. Owing to how embarrassing bladder control problems in women can be, a lot of women never seek help for this treatable condition. Regardless of age, many across the globe are living with bladder control problems in women, and shrouding the condition in secrecy. However, the truth is that more than 13 million people in the United States have incontinence issues. Bladder control problems in women are twice as likely as men. According to the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality, 30 percent of young women suffer incontinence. The rates of bladder control problems in women increase with age, with 40 percent of middle-aged women, and 50 percent of older women suffering from urinary incontinence.