"Fantastic compression, keeping my tennis elbow thoroughly supported!"
"Have bursitis in an elbow and quite swollen and painful- making even my weekend bike rides a challenge. My doctor advised the usual - ice, NSAIDS, and rest - in addition to a compression sleeve. Well, I gave Old Bones a try and wear the sleeve on my problem elbow whenever I’m active and must say, it works like a charm. Good support, keeps the elbow warm and decreases the pain."
"I’ve had an annoying pain in my elbow for some time now.The medical community has diagnosed it as “old age.” Your compression sleeve is a savior! I would highly recommend this to anyone."
Tennis Elbow Braces: Strap, Brace or Sleeve?
Shop for a tennis elbow brace and you’ll find three different things under one name. A counterforce strap is a narrow band that sits just below the elbow and presses on the forearm muscles where they attach. A rigid or hinged elbow brace has a frame that limits how the joint moves. A compression sleeve is a knitted tube that wraps the whole elbow in even pressure and moves with you. Each does a different job.
The Compression Elbow Sleeve and the Compression Arm Sleeve are both knitted compression, not rigid support. They add a snug, secure feel around the outer elbow without a strap to cinch or a frame to lock the joint.
Compression Elbow Sleeve
The Compression Elbow Sleeve centers on the joint itself: a latex-free nylon and spandex knit with silicone gel padding. It keeps your full range of motion and is slim enough to wear through a match, a lifting session or a shift on the tools. Sizes run M, L and XL.
Compression Arm Sleeve
If the ache travels down the forearm, the Compression Arm Sleeve runs from the upper bicep to the wrist and stays in place while you move.
When a Sleeve Isn’t the Right Call
A sleeve is support, not a splint or a cast. If your healthcare provider has suggested a strap, a wrist splint or a rigid brace to rest the tendon, follow that plan. The same goes if the elbow swelled up after a fall or won’t fully straighten: get it checked before you rely on a sleeve.
For more on tennis elbow itself and when to wear a sleeve, read our guide to compression sleeves for tennis elbow. Pain on the inside of the elbow instead? That’s usually golfer’s elbow. Not sure which tendon it is? Start with elbow braces for tendonitis, or browse all elbow braces.
FAQs
Is a tennis elbow strap the same as a compression sleeve?
No. A strap is a narrow band worn just below the elbow that presses on one spot on the forearm. A compression sleeve wraps the whole joint in even pressure and moves with you, so there is nothing to cinch or re-tighten mid-session. Some people prefer one, some the other, and a healthcare provider or physical therapist may recommend a strap for a specific reason.
Where should a tennis elbow sleeve sit?
Pull the Compression Elbow Sleeve on so it covers the elbow evenly, with no bunching in the crease when you bend your arm. If the ache runs down the forearm, the Compression Arm Sleeve covers from the upper bicep to the wrist instead.
Can I play tennis in a compression elbow sleeve?
Yes. The Compression Elbow Sleeve keeps your full range of motion and is slim enough to swing in. Let pain be your guide: if playing makes the outer elbow hurt more, back off and check with a healthcare provider.
Do I need a cast or splint for tennis elbow?
Casts, splints and rigid braces are a healthcare provider’s call. If yours has suggested holding the elbow or wrist still, follow that plan. A compression sleeve is a different tool: it supports the elbow while you keep moving rather than keeping it still.