- What is the best elbow braces for football injuries?
- Video: Elbow joint anatomy
- Types of elbow braces you should know about
- What are the most common elbow injuries in football?
- Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best elbow compression sleeves for football players
- Are compression elbow sleeves for football really effective?
Football is a physically demanding sport, so injuries are common among athletes. The elbows are exposed to all kinds of movements and blows that they are subjected to in every game of football. For this reason, elbow braces are essential for prevention and recovery.
For this reason, we explain the most common football injuries, the best compression elbow sleeves and a simple guide on what to consider before buying a sports compression elbow sleeve.
What is the best elbow braces for football injuries?
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL
- Colors: Green, Pink and Black
- Material: Breathable
- Nº of Products: 2 Pieces
- Uses: Rehab and Sport
- Elastic Fabric
- Double Anti-Slip Silicone
- Ergonomic & Adjustable
- Sport Design
- Unisex
Ergonomic
Elastic Fabric
Various Colors
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- Maximum adjustment
- Strap for strong compression
- Sizes to fit anyone
- Helps prevent injuries
- Too bulky
- Not suitable for washing machine
- One unit per order
The adjustable strap and silicone band must be tightened once the brace is in place, then the polymetric side hinges will do their job to keep the joint rigid without losing comfort and quality of movement. The most renowned athletes choose this elbow brace, but remember that the choice of size is important because, otherwise, the support will lose efficiency in compression.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL
- Colors: 4 Options - Black, Blue, Pink and Beige
- Material: Nylon
- No. of Products: 2 Pack
- Closure type: None
- Variety of colors
- 2 per package
- Breathable
- Optimum fastening
- Very thin material
- Not suitable for washing machine
The different sizes for men and women are made of breathable material to make you feel comfortable and confident when performing your activities. Don't worry about them sliding on your arm because their side guides and fabric prevent them from slipping out of place in any kind of weather. You must be careful to choose the right size, otherwise the support will not be sufficient. In some athletes the compression is too little for the symptoms they suffer.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL
- Colors: 3 Options - Black, Beige, Blue
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: Single
- Closure type: None
- Strong compression
- Suitable for any activity
- No material specified
- One unit per order
Compression sleeves are useful to avoid pain in any part of the joint, since its breathable fabric wraps around the entire arm to maintain the necessary stability and protect the elbow from overloads. To start enjoying this pair of sports bandages you can choose any of its sizes, but you must take into account the circumference of your arm so as not to decrease the efficiency of the elbow brace. Not recommended for sensitive skin.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL-XXL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Nylon
- No. of Products: Single
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- Variety of sizes
- Strap for better fit
- Breathable
- Good compression
- Too bulky
- Not suitable for washing machine
- One unit per order
With any of the compression sleeve sizes you will not limit the joint and will always maintain the necessary stabilityto achieve the range of motion you require. Its breathable material does not sacrifice comfort and its rigid straps accelerate any type of recovery. Hand wash and do not tumble dry, otherwise the seams will come loose.
- Sizes: XS-S-M-L-XL
- Colors: 2 Options - Beige, Black
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: 2 Pack
- Closure type: None
- Suitable for any activity
- Includes 2 per pack
- Size guide
- High elasticity
- No material specified
- Very light support
The Crucial pair of compression elbow braces is ideal to combat the symptoms of golfer's elbow, tendonitis and inflamed epicondyles, so you should not forget to carry this elastic elbow support in your backpack. You can use it any time of the year because its ergonomic design helps evaporate perspiration. If you have allergic skin or can't stand the pressure on your arm, the elbow support may have adverse effects.
- Sizes: S-M-L
- Colors: Grey
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: Single
- Closure type: None
- Ideal for everyone
- Quality finishes
- No material specified
- One unit per order
The Incrediwear elbow brace for men and women will make sure you don't miss any training or game of tennis, basketball or weightlifting because it optimizes the healing process and protects the joint from overloading. The gray fabric incorporates technology that helps evaporate perspiration and remember to hand wash the elbow brace and avoid using the dryer because it could damage the fabric.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL-XXL
- Colors: 5 Options - Black, Pink, White, Orange, Green
- Material: Nylon
- No. of Products: Single
- Closure type: None
- Variety of sizes
- Suitable for any activity
- Breathable
- Prevents serious injuries
- One unit per order
- Not suitable for washing machine
Compression in the right places improves blood circulation, reducing the appearance of inflammation in the elbow. Its ergonomic and non-slip design prevents moisture accumulation, thus extending the time of use. This offer includes a guide to learn more details of the different sizes, but keep in mind that freedom of movement may be restricted if you do not choose the correct size.
- Sizes: One size
- Colors: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Closure type: Closure with elastic straps and Velcro
- Adjustable strap
- Good compression
- Too bulky
- One unit per order
By fastening the straps around the arm, you will be able to maintain good stability without restricting the opening of the joint. Thanks to this neoprene system, the splint will not slide down the arm and you will always keep the skin free of perspiration. For patients with osteoarthritis it is recommended that you consult your doctor because the support may not be indicated.
Video: Elbow joint anatomy
Types of elbow braces you should know about
What are the most common elbow injuries in football?
Football players are constantly exposed to all types of injuries in every sporting encounter, as they must use their elbows to protect, tackle, and throw the ball to their teammates, while always being mindful of the physical impact of their opponents. The elbows are exposed to the most common injuries at all times.
In this section, we'll go over some of the most common injuries your elbow can sustain while playing football:
Olecranon Fracture
The olecranon is one of the most important parts of the elbow and the entire arm because it is where the ulna, a bone where the triceps brachii muscle attaches, is located. Injuries in this area occur because the triceps acts so strongly that it can pull the ulna back when performing a high-impact movement that the bone cannot withstand.
In football, it usually happens that the athlete suffers a fall and instinctively puts his hands on the ground to avoid it. The injury occurs here because the fall occurs with the arm extended and at this point there is a strong contraction of the triceps, which consequently acts directly on the ulna, which cannot withstand the impact and eventually moves backwards and detaches from the arm bones.
Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome
The ulnar nerve is one of the most important nerves in the arm, as it runs from the neck to the hand and has the ability to contract at various points along its course, including the inside of the elbow. If there is severe compression or irritation of this nerve, it is called "ulnar tunnel syndrome".
This condition is common in football for three main reasons:
- Because the athlete bends the arm incorrectly when holding the football ball, which leads to compression of the ulnar nerve.
- Because this movement is repeated incorrectly, so that the nerve is not only compressed, but also irritated.
- Since the athlete hits the elbow directly on the inside, the injury occurs immediately, accompanied by pain, a surge of electricity, and the little finger and ring finger fall asleep.
Fracture of the radial head of the elbow
This is one of the second most common fractures in football athletes. It is a slightly more complex fracture because it involves many muscles and bones that interact and act directly on the elbow.
This injury often occurs in football when the athlete suffers a very quick fall where they do not land properly (with arms bent) and all the weight falls on the palms while the arms are extended. As the force of the impact is transferred from the forearm to the elbow, the head of the radius eventually hits the humerus, causing a compression injury between the two bones. If the football player suffers such an impact, but it is more severe, it is considered a dislocation.
Dislocation
These injuries are quite common in football and any other sport due to the frequency with which the cause of the injury occurs. Luxations are a more severe variant of radius fractures because they occur when the force of the fall is so great that the elbow cannot withstand the stress of the fall and the upper arm bone (humerus), the lower end of the arm bone, loses contact with the upper part (head) of the forearm bones (ulna and radius).
In football, this is often the case when a fall occurs with the arms outstretched on the sole of the hand, or when a tackle with a football ball causes the ball to strike with such force that the position of the forearm shifts backward, causing an impact on the inner bones.
Olecranon bursitis
There are small bursae in the elbows that facilitate joint mobility. In olecranon bursitis, the bursae on the back of the elbow become inflamed. This injury is also called "Popeye's elbow" because a bump forms in this area.
It occurs in football due to repetitive arm movements that wear down the olecranon and eventually lead to inflammation of the olecranon bags. It also occurs when athletes throw the football ball backward or to the side in such a way that the elbow is not properly extended and the joint is affected.
Fracture
Due to its location, it is one of the bones most likely to fracture in a displacement injury, as the force of the fall places it several millimeters further back.
In football, it is common for an athlete to fall during a game or practice. Most often this happens in the middle of the game due to a collision with an opposing player, where the first player falls, but not correctly, i.e. with arms outstretched. The impact takes place between the capitellum and the humerus, resulting in a pressure injury between the two.
Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best elbow compression sleeves for football players
The compression sports elbow sleeves available in the market have certain specifications or features that make them more or less suitable for you, depending on what you will be using them for or what you need for playing or training football.
Depending on the function
- Elbow braces to relieve pain and inflammation: Sports elbow braces relieve pain from minor injuries while you wear them, whether you're at a game or football practice. They also help reduce inflammation in the elbow to prevent it from getting worse.
- Elbow sleeves with Compression: compression is one of the main features of all types of sports elbow guards you can find. This feature is the extra support that the garment gives your elbows when you are performing very demanding movements during football games or training, especially when you need to stretch and bend your arm.
- Elbow braces to protect you from all kinds of injuries: these compression pieces provide extra protection that the elbow alone may not be able to provide. Protecting the joint while playing football is very important as it prevents you from sustaining an injury or, if you already have an injury, preventing it from recovering and progressing and getting worse.
- Immobilizing elbow supports: this feature is specifically equivalent to elbow supports, which primarily aim to keep the elbow completely rigid, as a protective and recovery measure after serious injuries or post-surgical events, where it is best for the joint to remain immobile so that it can recover better and faster.
Material
The material is another feature that should not be ignored, as it affects the quality and effectiveness of the compression sports elbow brace. There are various materials available on the market, all of which are designed to maintain the compression of the elbow and protect it.
Some of the most common and effective materials you can find are listed below:
- Neoprene: Breathable, durable, soft to the touch and stretch resistant.
- Stretch nylon: Lightweight and very effective in terms of compression. They regulate body temperature and keep the elbow warm.
- Silicone: Prevents the sports elbow sleeve from slipping during demanding football movements.
Type of support
The compression sleeves for football that you can find in the market are of the quality and price that you can afford and that your elbows need to avoid injury. So, you need to think about what kind of compression support you need and what kind you want.
- Velcro: They are great for protecting the elbow as they provide extra support and structure to the ligaments, muscles and of course the bones in this area of the body. Also, you can decide how tight you want your elbow brace to be, depending on the movement you want to perform in football.
- Hinged: Hinged athletic elbow supports are some of the most advanced elbow braces, as they have a more complicated retention mechanism that also means a higher level of compression and security, as they are very difficult to release once they are in place. This gives them that protective quality in terms of football injuries as they conform to the body.
- With elastic straps: Hold-down straps are not as common as those mentioned above, but they are just as effective. They provide a support that is very well adapted to the shape and thickness of the forearm and elbow, which also means a higher level of compression and support, as long as you tie a tight knot.
- With non-slip gel: they are great for the elbow as the gel band sits directly under the elbow for extra support and is very secure and tight against the body.
Size
The size is another important feature because you cannot afford to wear an elbow brace that is too tight or too loose, otherwise it will not be able to perform its main function and you might get injured. On the market, there are one-size-fits-all sports elbow braces that are suitable for all shapes and thicknesses of the forearm and elbow. This is where the types of closures already mentioned come into play, such as strap closures, some with Velcro or slide closures.
However, if you prefer a sports compression brace for the elbow that is tailored to your height and weight, you can opt for a brace that is closer to your specific size. To find out what size you are, simply take a tape measure and measure the circumference of your forearm and elbow and compare it to the sizes available in the market.
Design
Most compression sports elbow sleeves available on the market have a rather minimalist and simple design, as their goal is to provide a high-quality and functional piece rather than to look good.
However, that doesn't mean that you can't find sports elbow braces with fun designs that are a bit more attractive than the traditional ones. For example, you will find that elastic compression garments differ the most in color and pattern. They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Elbow fixings can't be beat in this regard.
Elbow braces with gel pads tend to be a bit more serious and come in basic colors like black, green, blue and dark red. The same goes for the joint support and compression straps on the elbow.
Prices
As for the price, sports compression elbow sleeves also differ according to the features mentioned above: material, design, size, support. As the quality of the products increases, so do the prices. Here we would like to give you an approximate overview of the costs that can be found on the market, so you can get an idea of how much you can invest depending on the type of sports elbow brace you want to buy.
Are compression elbow sleeves for football really effective?
As we already know, football is a sport that demands a lot from the body in terms of impact and physical contact. In addition, there are the tense and powerful movements of the arm and elbow, which make it very vulnerable to injury if the movements are not performed correctly.
Sport elbow compression sleeves have been designed with this goal in mind: to help you avoid all kinds of elbow injuries and recover from them if you have suffered them.
Compression therapy is a viable and natural option, as it does not mean any external impact on your elbow, but serves as an additional support to the natural and biological anatomy of the elbow, helping you to move with full confidence and safety on the field when you have to interact with other players.