Do Tennis Elbow Straps / Braces Work?

Tennis elbow braces can be a very valuable tool to relieve pain and aid your recovery from tennis elbow, but they do not work for everyone.  Their success may be dependent on how severe and long standing the problem is, amongst other factors.    Whilst tennis elbow braces do help, they are only one part of the solution to tennis elbow.   It is important that they are used in conjunction with appropriate exercises designed to help improve the health of the affected tendon.  

How does a tennis elbow strap work?

Tennis elbow involves degenerative changes in the tendons on the outside of the elbow where the wrist extensor muscles emerge off the bone (lateral epicondyle).  Each time you activate your wrist extensor muscles eg lifting an object, this increases the load transmitted through the damaged tendon/s.  A tennis elbow brace/counterforce brace applies pressure over the muscle bellies, deflecting some of the load off the tendon, so you experience less pain.    A good way to conceptualise how this works is to think of the muscles like a garden hose, the bone on the outside of your elbow as the wall, and the tendon as the tap.   If you pull hard enough on a hose it may pull off the tap, but if someone places a foot on the hose then you pull on the hose, the hose will not pop off the tap.  In the same way, a tennis elbow strap/cuff around the muscles reduces the strain on the tendon.

How to apply a tennis elbow brace correctly

It is important to wear your tennis elbow brace correctly.  Your brace should not apply pressure directly to the painful tendon.  The widest part of the brace should be placed over the muscle belly of the muscle which lifts your wrist.  You can find the correct location by raising your closed fist towards the ceiling and feeling for the muscle contracting. This will be around the widest part of your forearm.  The strap should be firm but not excessively tight.  If you experience any pins and needles in your arm or hand with the brace on, it is a sign that it is too tight.

What is the best tennis elbow brace / strap?

In our opinion, the best tennis elbow strap has a solid component to it, such as the Epiflex brace, to reduce the tendency for the brace to act like a tourniquet.

Should I wear my tennis elbow brace at night?

A tennis elbow strap works to reduce the strain on the tendon during activity.  As there is minimal activation of the muscles at night, there is no benefit to wearing the brace at night.

Is there an alternative to a tennis elbow strap, if the forearm strap is not working?

In some cases of tennis elbow,  the pain is so severe that a tennis elbow strap does not alleviate the pain with gripping.  In these cases, our therapists may fit you with a wrist brace, to completely rest the involved muscles and tendons and settle the pain, before commencing a gradual strengthening program.

Remember a tennis elbow strap is only one part of the solution to tennis elbow pain.  The key to successful recovery is an individualised exercise program.  

If you would like help to recover from tennis elbow,  book an appointment with one of our team of expert hand therapists today on 3396  7798