BauerfeindEpiPoint - 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.

Very comfortable to wear. Just the right amount of support or tightness to quell golfer elbow and reduce vibration that causes the pain. I wore the bandit for almost 2 years and want to try something different. I think this is a step above the bandit. The only gripe is the instructions is very vague. I think I am wearing it correctly but who knows!

Bauerfeind makes high level quality sleeves and braces, I have two knee and one "golfers elbow" wrap, both are extremely durable and comfortable. I have used them for a couple of seasons now and show no sign of breaking down.

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.

High quality, washable, and did help me play during my injury.

Worth the money!! Its secure fit and pressure point magic seals the deal!! This armband helped diminish my tennis elbow in no time!!

Most recreational players at my tennis club who need elbow support use Victory Band when playing. I ordered that and also decided to try out another product to compare - EpiPoint. Well, my opinion is that EpiPoint is not for tennis playing. It is bulky, too big, hard around the edges. I guess, it may be more for a "static" support - but I haven't seen that spelled out in any postings or in the thick instruction book printed in 25 or so languages. The instructions are quite confusing too and not specific. Basically - have to look at the picture. Because it is so uncomfortable to wear - I actually had more pain in my arm after 1 hr of playing in it compare to playing with no elbow support at all. So, this thing is going back to where it came from. I played wearing the VB after that - way to go.

If you want a product that runs a 50-50 chance of falling apart within three months and whose manufacturer apparently does not stand behind its warranty, buy this product.I bought one of these three months before I bought a second one. I am still wearing the first one. Based on my experience of that one, I might give this product four or five stars. But this isn't a review of the first one I bought but the second.I bought the second one after I misplaced the first one. Shortly after the second strap arrived, the first one I bought turned up. I kept that one at home while I used the second one at work. Shortly after I began using the second one I couldn't get it to sit evenly on my elbow (that started after about a week). I originally thought the problem had been the way I was fastening it. But the problem persisted, it got more and more crooked and finally the strap detached from the other part of the brace. I then realized that the crookedness of the brace was actually the strap slowly tearing away from the place at which it was fastened to the brace. It's my educated guess that the strap wasn't attached securely, causing a defect that resulted in the strap falling apart. There was absolutely no unusual wear or abuse of the product.I was puzzled by the manufacturer's response to their defective product. From my point of view they simply did not take responsibility and did not stand behind their product. Bauerfeind wanted me to show proof, not that I purchased the brace from them but that Amazon purchased the brace from Bauerfeind. And, though it was past Amazon's time limit for a return, I needed to get Amazon's authorization for the return to Bauerfeind. (When something like this has happened in the past, simply a receipt from a retailer has served to prove to a company when and where I purchased their product). I ended up with a defective product, yet I was the one who had to jump through hoops to have it made right.All this was making my head spin so I returned the brace the Amazon and I hadn't realized until recently that they gave me a refund minus a restocking fee despite what I related to them about the product's being defective. After contacting Amazon they gave me a full refund. I give Amazon credit for making up for the manufacturer's lack of taking responsibility and crummy customer service.