“I think I have tennis elbow, should I get a brace?”
Yes, you should! Recent scientific evidence proves that bracing is effective!
Tennis elbow, also known as Lateral Epicondylalgia, is a common ailment seen by physiotherapists. We are often asked the question, “should I use a brace?” In most cases of ‘true’ lateral epicondylagia, the answer is yes; however, it is still important to understand what it is.
The most common feature of tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow, especially with gripping. Other symptoms include numbness around the elbow and tenderness of the tendons on the outside of the elbow. It typically results from repetitive overuse of the forearm muscles that extend the wrist. Several other impairments can mimic tennis elbow, so it is always important to have a physiotherapist complete an in-depth assessment to obtain an accurate diagnosis.
Physiotherapists use a variety of approaches to treat tennis elbow, including manual therapy, stretching and strengthening exercises and bracing. Bracing has been proposed to reduce elbow pain with daily activities and exercises. A recent high-quality study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy studied the effectiveness of two styles of braces. The study measured grip strength, pain and tenderness over the elbow before and after applying a brace. The results of the study concluded that using a brace immediately reduces pain with gripping and reduces tenderness over the tendons around the elbow. No differences were found between the braces studied. The brace is placed just below the elbow, and works by reducing the amount of force transmitted to the tendons at the elbow when gripping. A physiotherapist can help you choose the most appropriate brace for you, and teach you how to properly apply it for best use.
At our clinic, we use the popular Band-It counterforce brace. It is inexpensive, simple to use, and now as the literature shows, effective! Remember to always consult with a physiotherapist first.
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