Elbows, ankles, shoulders and hands
Tennis elbow braces, ankle braces, shoulder supports, knee sleeves and compression gloves.
Pick a guide below. Each one explains what to look for and how to use the product safely. It also says when to ask a doctor or other expert first. Sources are listed at the end of every guide.
Guides in this section
Tennis Elbow Brace: Types, Fit, and What the Evidence Says
How to choose a tennis elbow brace: forearm straps, padded and air cell straps, wrist splints and sleeves, how each work
Shoulder Brace: Types, Fit and When to Use One
A guide to the shoulder brace: slings, immobilizers, compression supports and posture straps, who each suits, how to fit
Knee Sleeves: Types, Thickness and How to Choose a Knee Sleeve
Knee sleeves explained: what a knee sleeve does, 3, 5 and 7 mm neoprene versus knit compression, open or closed kneecap,
Ankle Brace for Sprain: Match the Brace to the Grade
Choosing an ankle brace for a sprain: what to use for mild, moderate and severe sprains, stirrup vs lace-up vs sleeve, a
ASO Ankle Brace: Design, Sizing and Who It Is For
A plain explainer of the ASO ankle brace from the maker's page: lace up design, figure-eight straps, who it is for, sizi
Lace Up Ankle Brace: Who It Suits and How to Fit One
How a lace up ankle brace works, what the research shows for sprain prevention, features to compare (straps, stays, cuff
Knee Brace for an LCL Sprain: Grades, Hinges and Recovery
A knee brace for an LCL sprain should resist the knee bending outward. How LCL grades are treated, why a hinged brace is
McDavid Ankle Brace: The 195 Lace Up With Straps Explained
A plain explainer of the McDavid 195 ankle brace from the maker's page: lace up design, figure-6 straps, what it is mean
Knee Sleeves for Squats: Thickness, Fit and Competition Rules
Knee sleeves for squats: why lifters choose 7 mm neoprene, how tight to size them, how to put them on, and what IPF rule
Neoprene Knee Sleeve: Warmth, Thickness, Skin and Care
What a neoprene knee sleeve offers over knit, how to pick 3, 5 or 7 mm, how to keep it fresh, and what to do if neoprene
Patellar Tendinopathy Knee Brace: Straps, Sleeves and Rehab
A knee brace for patellar tendinopathy or jumper's knee: how a tendon strap works, where it sits, how to fit it, and the
Compression Knee Sleeves for Everyday Aches and Arthritis
Compression knee sleeves for daily wear: how knit compression differs from gym sleeves, how to measure, how long to wear
Aircast Ankle Brace: Air-Stirrup, Sport-Stirrup and AirSport
A plain guide to the Aircast ankle brace line from the maker's own pages: Air-Stirrup, Sport-Stirrup and AirSport, who e
Basketball Ankle Braces: What Studies Show and How to Choose
Basketball ankle braces: what trials in high school and intramural players found, lace up vs stirrup vs hinged styles, s
Compression Ankle Brace and Sleeve: What They Can Do
What a compression ankle brace or sleeve can and cannot do: swelling control, light support, how a sleeve compared with
Shoulder Brace for Pain: When Support Helps and When It Doesn't
Thinking of a shoulder brace for pain? Learn which kinds of shoulder pain a soft support may ease, which need a doctor,
Zamst A2-DX Ankle Brace: Design, Fit and Who It Suits
A plain explainer of the Zamst A2-DX ankle brace from the maker's pages: side guards, dual X-straps, left and right sizi
Compression Gloves for Hand Swelling: What to Know First
Compression gloves for hand swelling: when mild gloves are fine, when swollen hands need a doctor or a fitted lymphoedem
Orthopedic Ankle Brace: Stirrups, Boots and When You Need One
What counts as an orthopedic ankle brace: semi-rigid stirrups, walking boots and post-op braces, which injuries call for
Stirrup Ankle Brace: Sport-Stirrup vs Air-Stirrup Explained
How a stirrup ankle brace works, the Aircast Sport-Stirrup and Air-Stirrup per the maker, what studies found for sprains
Volleyball Ankle Braces: Who Needs Them and Which Style
Volleyball ankle braces: why net landings cause most sprains, what a Norwegian league program found, which brace styles
Child's Ankle Brace: Sprains, Growth Plates and Sizing
Choosing a child's ankle brace: when kids need a doctor first, why most ankle injuries are sprains, brace types that fit
Ankle Brace for Peroneal Tendonitis: When and Which Type
Ankle brace for peroneal tendonitis: where a brace fits between a boot and insoles, what features support the outer ankl
Ankle Brace for Running: Light Support That Stays Put
Choosing an ankle brace for running: who needs one, lace up, strap and sleeve options for road and trail, fit for long m
Copper Compression Gloves: What the Copper Does and Doesn't Do
Do copper compression gloves ease hand pain? What trials found about copper and about compression gloves, what regulator
Muscle Tape on Knee: What It May Do and How to Apply It
Muscle tape on the knee may ease pain for a few hours, but evidence is modest. How kinesiology tape works, how to apply
Fingerless Compression Gloves: Who They Suit and How to Fit Them
Fingerless compression gloves keep fingertips free for typing, phones and crafts. Styles, fit tips, and when full-finger
How to Wear a Tennis Elbow Brace: Placement and Fit
How to wear a tennis elbow brace: where to place it below the elbow, how tight it should be, a simple grip test, when to
IMAK Compression Arthritis Gloves: What They Are and How to Fit
IMAK compression arthritis gloves explained from the maker's own pages: design, sizes, who they are for, how to wear the
Shoulder Brace for a Rotator Cuff Injury: What Actually Helps
Which shoulder brace fits a rotator cuff injury: compression supports for mild tears, prescribed slings after repair, an
Shoulder Compression Brace: Knit vs Neoprene and How to Fit It
How a shoulder compression brace works, knit versus neoprene designs, how to measure and fit one, skin reactions to watc
Shoulder Immobiliser Brace: How to Wear It and Live With It
A shoulder immobiliser brace is fitted after a dislocation or surgery. How it should sit, sleeping, washing and dressing
Counterforce Brace for Tennis Elbow: How It Works
What a counterforce brace for tennis elbow is, how the strap and pad change forearm load, how designs differ, and who ma
Tennis Elbow Brace vs Compression Sleeve: Which to Use When
Tennis elbow brace vs compression sleeve: how a counterforce strap and a sleeve differ, which suits a flare-up or recove
Compression Gloves for Carpal Tunnel: Do They Help?
Do compression gloves help carpal tunnel? Why a straight wrist matters more than squeeze, where a glove fits, and the sp
Compression Gloves for Crocheting, Knitting and Crafts
Compression gloves for crocheting and knitting: which styles keep yarn feel, what they do for achy hands, and the hooks,
Wrist Brace for Tennis Elbow: Why It Helps and How to Pick
Why a wrist brace can ease tennis elbow, what a small trial found versus a forearm strap, which splint features matter,
Best Compression Gloves for Arthritis: How to Choose a Pair
How to choose compression gloves for arthritis: what a large UK trial found, the fit and fabric that matter, and the han
Should You Wear a Tennis Elbow Brace at Night?
Should you wear a tennis elbow brace at night? Why most NHS and clinic advice says take the strap off for sleep, and wha
Tennis Elbow Brace for Golf: Golfer's vs Tennis Elbow Straps
Choosing a tennis elbow brace for golf: inner vs outer elbow pain, where the pad goes for golfer's elbow, how to wear it