Bauerfeind - EpiPoint - Elbow Strap - Stabilizing Supports for Elbow Pain, Swelling and Injury, Tendon Pain Relief for Tennis & Golfer's Elbow, Muscle Irritation and Inflammation

Generally, I’ll compare the devices: Sleeve vs Band/Mfgr. vs Mfgr. The existing Amazon reviews cover the individual pros & cons.For months, I’ve been dealing with moderate to severe medial epicondylitis or “golfers elbow”. Both elbows – more pronounced in right (I’m right handed). As my elbow pain began to become a very persistent problem, I decided to find a “fix”. I’m pleased to say my elbows are much improved … read on.The onset my elbow problems coincided with the failure of the pneumatic piston on my office chair which resulted in the chair sinking to the “bottom”/not staying at the desired height. Not realizing this would cause elbow problems, I procrastinated replacing the chair for a few months because, after all, it was still functional … just lower than I was accustomed to. Once the broken chair was identified as the problem, I immediately stopped using it and replaced it. Slowly, my elbows got better … but they were still injured and needed support to heal. Those of you that have epicondylitis from working at your desk, PLEASE try raising your chair up a few inches.Replacing the chair put me on the road to recovery. However, I soon discovered that healing my “injured” elbows was going to take some time. Riding my bike (road & mountain) inflamed my elbows and set me back in the healing process. Same thing with golf. Taking divots & grounding the club was very painful.Ongoing, my elbows would be especially painful in the morning. I had never experienced this pain before my office chair inflicted injury. I’ve researched & believe the pain is from sleeping with my arms tightly bent. Bending the elbow compresses the ulnar nerve and flexes the injured tendon thus exacerbating the injury. I started sleeping with elbow sleeves which reminded me to keep my arms straight(er) throughout the night. Soon, my morning elbow pain began to subside.So what’s the fix? Surgery isn’t an option for me. Advil & ice help but aren’t the cure. So I went to the internet to read all abut epicondylitis (including Amazon product reviews) for a potential fix. Lots of great reviews here on Amazon for various brands of elbow bands and elbow sleeves. Not sure what to do, and growing impatient with the limitations imposed by my elbows (really – I can't pick that up because my elbow hurts??), I decided to purchase several of the better quality/more popular straps and sleeves that I found here on Amazon.For each device, I assume that I purchased the correct size based on the manufacturers sizing recommendation. This of course, doesn’t mean I got the correct sizes. Here are my measurements:Forearm: 11.5”Elbow: 11.5”Bicep: 12.5”A common problem with nearly all of sleeves & straps I purchased, are lack of directions. None of the sleeves tell you which end goes toward the bicep and which side of the sleeve goes over the elbow (top vs bottom). Looking at the sleeves, some have discernible differences in the openings and the weave on top/bottom. Using logic, I assume that I got them on correctly … but not sure in all cases. Same with all the bands (except the EpiSport). Where are they placed in relation to the painful tendon? How much tension should they have? How do they help the healing process? How do these things help prevent injury? The EpiSport has excellent directions describing the mechanics of the band and where to place it. These directions were very helpful making informed assumptions on how to wear all the devices.Strap or sleeve? Generally, I found the straps to be much better for targeting the muscle compression and therefore protecting the tendon. I’ve found the sleeves to be supportive giving some muscle compression & comfort while supporting the injured & surrounding areas.Straps:McDavid 489 Elbow Strap “L”: A comfortable neoprene strap. I found it helpful but limited because it compress the entire arm with some added neoprene high points for focused compression. Because the compression around the arm is mostly uniform, I don’t think it is as effective as the other straps.EpiSport Epicondylitis Clasp “L”: Excellent instructions on how to wear the clasp and how it works. Because of the instructions, I understand how the band is designed to work: "The clasp applies dual compression on the long tendons of the forearm extensor and flexor muscles making them more parallel to allow healing to begin and reduce inflammation and pain.” I wore it on the golf driving range and for a few rounds of golf. It was comfortable and effective. No pain during or after. I believe, this clasp does the best job of targeting and compressing the muscle while reducing the compression elsewhere on the arm.Bauerfeind EpiPoint Elbow Strap One Size: Looking at their web site, I believe this strap is designed for tennis elbow and therefore any vague instructions are geared for compression on the outside of the arm. I reverse everything and use it for golfers elbow. Worked well for tree pruning project with heavy arborist pole saw. Pulling motion was too much for elbows. Not really believing this would help, I decided to try it. Figured it was worth a try since I couldn’t continue anyway. Also didn’t know for sure how to put it on since it didn’t come with any instructions other an elaborate multi language disclaimer booklet. I put it on and pain was gone! Couldn’t believe it. No pain afterward either. Later, Google helped me find this information on where to put the strap and the mechanics of how it works: "The strap should be placed around 2.5 cm distal to the lateral epicondyle”. Turns out, I had the strap too close to the elbow. I found the quote here: http://www.mikereinold.com/2009/07/are-tennis-elbow-straps-effective.htmlSleeves:Zensah Compression Elbow Sleeve “M”: Wore it on vigorous hour long mountain bike ride. Did the job. Supported my elbow. No pain during or after ride. The weave of the Zensah appears to be very specific for support & range of motion (this is the only way I could figure out how to wear it). The Zensah is a thinner lighter weave and therefore “cooler”. I think it generally helped with the constant vibrations.McDavid 512 Elastic Elbow Support “L”: Left arm on vigorous hour long mountain bike ride. Did the job. Supported my elbow. No pain during or after ride. Function was not quite as good as the Zensah. The McDavid, however, is a thicker heavier weave & and therefore “warmer”. If want the extra warmth, I will go with McDavid. I sleep with the McDavid sleeve on because it comfortably supports and helps me keep from bending my elbows tightly.Bauerfeind EpiTrain Elbow Support “Size 4: Comfortable neoprene and anatomical/form fitted neoprene sleeve with compression high points that don’t really compress much. It doesn’t come up onto bicep very high and tends to slip down more than others. Although it provides some support and limited compression, its best attribute is impact protection to the painful area. You will know what I’m talking about when you bump the painful tendon connection. I wear this when doing educational part of my Jiu Jitsu class. It won’t, however, stay on my elbow while sparring so I take it off to spar.

Effective for treatment of elbow discomfort. Easy to apply and comfortable to wear. I have several of this company’s products and they are universally well made and functionally beneficial.

I can't even remember how many golfer's/tennis elbow braces/straps I have tried, but this one is not only the most comfortable it is the most effective.

It’s a very good fit and design. My only complaint is that the edges are too sharp and tend to scratch with movement. I’m keeping it, but at that price they need to change the edges.

This is a pretty pricey band which I was willing to forgive if it worked. The problem is that it slips. A lot. I cannot seem to find the right tension to keep it in place, and boy have I tried. And that's a big problem for the price. If not for this issue, this band would probably have been my favorite as it has a great pressure point and is extremely comfortable. I've bought about a dozen elbow straps over the past several weeks and very few have been up to par (pun somewhat intended for you medial/golfer's elbow types).In my opinion, the best straps I've come across are Mueller Hg80 and Bracoo Tennis/Golf Elbow Strap with EVA Pad. Mueller has a sleek look if you like the Harley Davidson thing and Bracoo looks like somebody glue-gunned a piece of foam to elastic, but the elbow pain is severe enough that I wouldn't care if they were covered in Spongebob fabric so long as they WORK. The fact is that they're slim, have low profiles (for elbow straps that is, at least), don't slip much (so long as you put them at the right tension), and put a good amount of pressure where I need it.As you can tell, I'm not the biggest fan of these monstrosities. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why the majority of elbow straps are freakishly huge and thick when all you need is a small area of pressure, but whatever. They're better than nothing.

I play three hours of racquetball at least twice a week. I was developing bad tennis elbow from time to time. Even when I laid off playing, almost the first time back, my pain would return. This product lets me play without the pain. My only complaint is cleaning it. Can't simply thow it in the wash. Therefore, I wipe it clean with diaper wipes or similar product (whatever handy at the time).I would highly recommend this product as I have to all who play around me that wear some type of wrist strap.This brand was first introduced to me by a fellow player who wore an arm "tube" that stretched over the elbow with points within the product that helped He was very happy with his product, but I didn't want a tube-like one, so I tried the band. Great product.

I had a pretty severe case of tennis elbow and after a cortisone injection this brace kept me from re-injuring my elbow. Bought the brace more than two years ago and still wear it every time I play which 3-5 times per week. I would highly recommend this brace. It works and is well worth the cost.

I developed lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) in both arms. It is painful, and the first three straps I tried did nothing. This one did the trick. While it doesn't eliminate the pain completely, it makes it easier to perform your daily functions (even weightlifting) with minimal discomfort. Spend the extra money for this, you won't regret it.