Elbow brace
definition
An elbow orthosis is an orthopedic aid that is attached to the outside of the elbow.
The elbow orthosis resembles a scaffolding that is intended to stabilize, relieve and correct the elbow and the muscles involved and is usually placed in the event of an injury to the elbow. Elbow orthoses can be made from a wide variety of materials. As a rule, they are made individually for each patient by a doctor and an orthopedic technician.
Indication - what do you need an elbow orthosis for?
An elbow brace can have many uses. The use of an elbow orthosis is particularly popular in sports accidents. The orthoses are suitable for reducing or redistributing strain on the elbow. The orthosis is effective, for example, if one of the bones of the elbow joint is broken and lifting an object causes pain. This not only speeds up the healing process, but also significantly reduces the pain. Elbow orthoses are also primarily used to immobilize the entire arm.
Furthermore, an elbow orthosis can compensate for weak muscles in the upper and lower arm. The orthosis acts like a scaffold, supports and strengthens the muscles.
Another important function is the reduction and stabilization of malpositions in the elbow joint. Without an elbow orthosis, the healing of injuries such as fractures or dislocations can easily result in malpositions, the effects of which will be felt for the rest of your life. In summary, it can be said that treatment with an elbow orthosis is essential for successful healing without permanent damage to injuries to the elbow.
You might also be interested in these topics:
- Bursitis on the elbow
- Olecranon fracture
Appointment with an elbow expert?
I would be happy to advise you!
Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
As a former performance-oriented tennis player, I specialized early on in the conservative treatment of the elbow.
You can find me in:
- Lumedis - your orthopedic surgeon
Kaiserstrasse 14
60311 Frankfurt am Main
Directly to the online appointment arrangement
Unfortunately, it is currently only possible to make an appointment with private health insurers. I hope for your understanding!
Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert
How does an orthosis work?
Orthoses are orthopedic aids. As already mentioned, orthoses support the desired joint like a scaffold. Normally, the joint also serves to dampen the effects of forces, such as those that occur when landing on the feet after jumping or when performing everyday movements such as running or carrying objects. An orthosis supports this dampening effect by transferring mechanical forces to the corresponding joint. This is intended to protect and relieve an unstable joint, for example after an accident.
An orthosis also serves to immobilize the joint. Due to its construction, it prevents certain movements that are not beneficial for the patient. As an example, one can list the turning movement lock of the hand, which is prevented by the hand rest on an elbow orthosis.
Basics
Elbow joint
The elbow joint is a joint that consists of three partial joints and in which three bones are involved: humerus, ulna and radius.
One can subdivide the following partial joints: A partial joint consists of the humerus and ulna, the so-called Humeroulnar joint. Functionally, it is a hinge joint that bends and stretches the forearm. The other partial joint is made up of the humerus and the radius and is called Humeroradial joint. It is used to turn the hand in and out. There is also a joint between the ulna and the radius.
Read more about this on our main page Elbow
Radial head fracture
A radial head fracture is the breakage of the uppermost bone section of the spoke.
The radial head forms a joint in the elbow joint. If you bend your arm completely, you can feel the radius head while turning your hand by placing your index and middle finger on the outside of the elbow, i.e. the side that points away from you, halfway between the elbow and the bone Turning felt. Treatment with an elbow orthosis is ideal for fractures of the radial head and is used very often in practice.
Read more about this under Radial head fracture
What different elbow orthoses are there?
One common and well-known type of elbow orthosis are elbow orthoses with a joint. The joint mimics the function of the elbow joint and supports it. For this reason, this type of orthosis is used to mobilize the joint as part of a health restoring therapy. The special thing about this type of orthosis is that it can also be used for immobilization, i.e. temporary immobilization of the joint, after an injury or an operation. The point behind this is to avoid movements that lead to the dislocation of the joint while the joint is still unstable and not completely healed. The orthoses have an adjustable angle of inclination to match the desired therapy.
In addition, there are elbow orthoses without a joint. These are of course static and therefore primarily serve to reduce movements in the elbow joint. They are used to immobilize and prevent the hand from turning in the event of a fracture of the radial head, for example. That may sound incomprehensible, but when you turn your hand, a joint in the elbow plays a key role.
A more exotic type of elbow orthosis are inflatable orthoses. These are designed to prevent swelling and relieve pain in sports accidents or after operations.
How do you put on an elbow orthosis correctly?
First of all, it should be pointed out that your attending physician will teach you how to put on an elbow brace correctly.
In addition, each orthosis usually comes with suitable donning instructions. As a rule, the orthosis is placed on the elbow in such a way that the orthosis joint is level with the lateral protruding bone. The palm rest can be adjusted to match the length of the forearm. Then you close the Velcro straps of the orthosis and put the neck strap around your neck. It should be noted that the neck pad should be approximately in the middle over the shoulders.
What should you watch out for when wearing?
When wearing elbow orthoses, it is important to ensure that the orthosis rests firmly on the elbow in order to achieve the desired regeneration in the best possible way. It should also be ensured that the orthoses have been adjusted to the correct length. A forearm splint that is too short or too long counteracts the healing effect.
As a rule, elbow orthoses also have a neck strap. The belt should not be adjusted too tight or too slack so that there is no tension on the elbow. The neck cushion should be centered over the shoulders, this ensures that the neck is not increasingly stressed.
Should I also wear an orthosis at night?
From experience reports from orthosis wearers, it is warmly recommended to wear the orthosis at night, especially at the beginning, as the joint initially relies on the support provided by the orthosis. If the orthosis were to be removed, swellings would form and the pain would increase significantly. There is also the risk of uncontrolled movement, especially at night, since you also move while sleeping.
If you feel more resilient and healthier after a few weeks, you should ask a doctor for advice before taking off the orthosis of your own accord.
Can I use it to drive a car?
In principle, it is permitted to drive a vehicle while wearing orthoses.
Ultimately, however, it is a question of ability, despite the limitations of the orthosis, to be able to drive the vehicle properly, which is why you should carefully ask yourself beforehand whether you pose no risk to other road users. To be on the safe side, you should ask your insurance company beforehand whether costs will be covered in the event of an accident.
costs
Elbow orthoses are available in many different price ranges. The price range starts at € 20 and goes up to over € 300.
Of course, the expensive orthoses are of higher quality and technically more complex. As with many technical devices, the principle applies that quality has its price. When purchasing an orthosis, the patient should be guided by deciding on the most suitable prosthesis to promote healing. If a technically more complex orthosis is not necessary, the added value of the prosthesis is not proportional to the purchase price.
Does the health insurance pay for that?
A doctor's prescription is required so that the health insurance company covers the costs of an orthosis. Without medical indication, the patient has to pay for the costs himself.
The insurance company checks whether the doctor's prescription complies with the provisions of the health insurance company. If this is the case, i.e. the regulation is appropriate and necessary, the fund pays. For services beyond the standard care, the patient has to pay himself, but only the difference between the standard product and the favorite product.
