Elbow support

Elbow supports are widely available and they come in different sizes and with different supportive objectives. For this reason it is important to decide what kind of support you want and when you will want (or need) to wear it.

As a general guide, elbow supports can be used as part of

• An injury rehabilitation process
• To permanently support a weakness
• To offer support during specific activities like participation in a sport

Elbow supports come in a range of different designs, sizes and colours.

Elastic sleeve elbow support

One of the most popular and comfortable elbow supports is the elastic sleeve that fully encapsulates the elbow by expanding from the lower part of the upper arm to the upper part of the lower arm. This kind of support will have an elastic-like fabric and it may offer some protective padding. It will make the joint feel more secure when worn.

This type of elbow aid can assist and relieve pain associated with arthritis and tennis elbow and it is frequently used as a rehabilitation aid after injury or surgery. Some people who play sport find that this kind of elbow support helps them in their sporting participation.

Sleeve style supports vary in terms of what they offer between one supplier's product type and another. At the budget end there are some very basic elasticised sleeves whilst at the top end, high performance materials like Kevlar can be used. Padding, plus impact and abrasion resistance can be designed into these products to enhance their performance.

Epicondylitis support

The second type of elbow support is one that looks more like a broad strap. This type of aid is attached around the top of the forearm just below the elbow joint and it is popular with sufferers of tennis elbow. It is medically known as an epicondylitis strap, clasp, belt or band.

It works by applying pressure to the tendon that causes the discomfort and by doing so it relieves pain. Those participating in other sports like golf may also find this type of aid useful although the positioning of the pressure point will need to be adjusted by reversing the way in which the support is worn.

There are a number of variations on the epicondylitis design that see different materials used to apply the required pressure. These can range from fabrics to air and gel pads and the aim is always to focus the pressure at the exact point on the arm where it will provide the greatest benefit.

A similar elbow strap to the epicondylitis version is used to apply pressure to the muscles of the lower arm and reduce pressure to the tendons.

The straps themselves are normally secured with an adjustable Velcro (hook and loop) fastener and most will come in a range of sizes.

Most elbow support aids come in different colours and designs, reflecting the manufacturer's appreciation of the fact that many people wear these aids during sport and want them to look good. Information about shoulder supports and braces can be found here Shoulder arm supports.

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