Elbow Brace and Rehabilitation

Braces can be effective devices in different phases of elbow rehabilitation, and their use, especially if integrated with other modes of physical therapies, can improve the recovery in many elbow disorders. Elbow braces are generally preferred over casts, because they are more comfortable for the patients and more practical for the caregivers. On the basis of their function, we can identify two different types of braces: the protection braces are devices which prevent excessive stress on the articular surface, capsule, ligaments, or tendons; they are used after trauma and reconstructive surgeries or in cases of inflammatory or degenerative situations. Mobilization braces, used to treat elbow stiffness, are mechanical devices exerting forces to stretch the retracted tissue stimulating the recovery of the elbow movement. A shared brace nomenclature can simplify the communication between the different professional figures involved. The authors present brace indications and protocols in elbow rehabilitation. In the future, 3D printing technology will permit to create personalized casts and braces that will be lighter, less bulky, and water friendly, making more comfortable their long-term wear.