The EpiTrain® Elbow Brace — trusted by tennis players for pain relief and recovery.
As the summer sun heats up and the tennis season reaches its peak, courts everywhere are bustling with activity. Whether you are a seasoned competitor or a weekend warrior enjoying a casual rally, the repetitive swinging and impact of tennis can take a toll on your body. One of the most common issues players face is epicondylopathy, more commonly known as tennis elbow. In fact, a sports medicine study involving 2,516 tennis players found that 31 percent reported elbow problems, often caused by biomechanical factors like technical faults during backhand shots, racket grip, or exceptionally powerful strokes .
When elbow pain strikes, it can quickly sideline your summer plans. However, effective conservative treatments — such as targeted elbow supports — can help you get back in the game. In this post, we explore how Bauerfeind's elbow braces, specifically the EpiTrain and the Sports Elbow Support, can provide the relief and stability you need to keep playing your best.
The Science of Support: The EpiTrain Observational Study
When it comes to managing joint pain and inflammation, evidence-based solutions are key. An international, multicenter observational study investigated the effectiveness of the Bauerfeind EpiTrain® Elbow Brace in the conservative and postoperative treatment of sports injuries . The study followed 176 patients across nine specialist centres in Germany, Austria, Poland, Canada, the Middle East, and Singapore — the majority of whom were prescribed the EpiTrain for joint pain (110 cases) and joint inflammation (15 cases).
The results were compelling. The study focused on three critical parameters: pain level, range of motion, and everyday activities.
Significant Pain Relief
The study demonstrated that the EpiTrain provides substantial pain relief. During the recovery phase, 71.9% of patients reported pain relief as "good" to "very good" when wearing the EpiTrain. By the time of foreseeable recovery, this figure rose to 81.5% . This reduction in pain also correlated with a decreased reliance on painkillers. While 73.6% of patients used painkillers at the time of injury, the majority — 63.2% — no longer needed them by the end of the treatment period .
Improved Range of Motion
Wearing the EpiTrain also facilitated significant improvements in the elbow's range of motion. The study recorded an increase in the flexion angle of the elbow joint from an average of 122.3° to 132.8° over the course of treatment . Both supination and pronation — the rotational movements of the forearm so essential to a tennis swing — also showed marked improvement, with supination improving by 9.5° and pronation improving from 65.7° to 73.1°.
Returning to Everyday Activities
Perhaps the most impactful finding was the improvement in daily life. At the start of treatment, 75.3% of patients reported experiencing restrictions in everyday movements. By additionally wearing the EpiTrain throughout their recovery, an impressive 93.4% of patients were able to master virtually all everyday movements without restriction by the end of treatment .
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Outcome Measure
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At Initial Examination (T1)
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At Recovery (T3)
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Pain relief rated "good" or "very good"
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—
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81.5%
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Patients using painkillers
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73.6%
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36.8% (63.2% stopped)
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Patients with restricted everyday movement
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75.3%
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6.6%
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Elbow flexion angle
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122.3°
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132.8°
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Supination range
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64.3°
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73.9°
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Pronation range
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65.7°
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73.1°
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Data sourced from the Bauerfeind EpiTrain International Observational Study, linked below.
Choosing the Right Brace for Your Game
Whether you are recovering from an injury or looking to prevent one during intense training, Bauerfeind offers two specialist solutions tailored to your needs.
1. For Recovery and Pain Relief: The EpiTrain® Elbow Brace
If your elbow tissue is over-strained, achy, swollen, or inflamed, the EpiTrain® Elbow Brace is designed to deliver targeted relief. Its three-dimensional Train active knit provides a compression massage effect on the soft tissue during movement, which helps to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and stabilize the joint.
The Viscoelastic Epicon+ Pads with epicondyle cut-outs support the elbow, accelerate the absorption of edema and effusion, and ensure the brace stays securely in position. Firmer material components with frictional nubs actively relieve pain and encourage the elbow's natural healing process. Available in Titan, Black, and Beige, the EpiTrain offers an anatomic fit with high elasticity for easy fitting and removal.
2. For Prevention and Performance: The Sports Elbow Support
If you are looking to prevent overload and train harder for longer, the Sports Elbow Support is your ideal court companion. Designed specifically for athletes, it is lightweight, durable, and optimised for climate control during intense activity.
Its 3D AirKnit Technology compression knit adapts perfectly to your body's profile, wicking away sweat and preventing heat build-up. A Dual Pad System provides precise embedding and guiding of the elbow through two anatomically contoured pads on both the inside and outside of the joint. An integrated, skin-friendly silicone grip band on the upper edging ensures the brace stays firmly in place, giving you precision and confidence with every swing. Available in All-Black, Rivera, Black-Navy, and Pink.
3. For On-Court Targeted Relief: The Sports Elbow Strap
Designed specifically for racket sports, the Sports Elbow Strap provides targeted relief for the forearm muscles around the elbow during longer sporting activities. It is especially flat, anatomically contoured, and made from breathable, hard-wearing material — making it practical and comfortable to wear on court.
Its Five-Point Pad — a special functional element with nubs — exerts direct pressure on the affected sites in the forearm muscles and can be positioned on either the outside or the inside of the elbow, making it equally effective for both tennis elbow and golfer's elbow. The strap is tightened using a Boa® Closure System, which allows compression to be set precisely to the millimetre and released with ease — even mid-match. Available in Black and Pink.
Stay on the Court This Summer
Don't let tennis elbow dictate your summer schedule. By understanding the biomechanics of your swing and utilising clinically proven supports like the EpiTrain, the Sports Elbow Support, or the Sports Elbow Strap, you can manage pain, improve your mobility, and protect your joints from excessive strain. The evidence speaks for itself — with the right support, the vast majority of patients return to full, unrestricted movement.
Explore our full range of Elbow Supports & Straps today and find the perfect fit to keep your game strong all season long.
Stay on the Court This Summer
Don't let tennis elbow dictate your summer schedule. By understanding the biomechanics of your swing and utilising clinically proven supports like the EpiTrain or the Sports Elbow Support, you can manage pain, improve your mobility, and protect your joints from excessive strain. The evidence speaks for itself — with the right support, the vast majority of patients return to full, unrestricted movement.
Explore our full range of Elbow Supports today and find the perfect fit to keep your game strong all season long.
