Abstract:
An elbow brace utilizes a pair of shock-absorbing elements that are placed over the arm over the lateral and medial epicondyle of the humerus bone. These elements provide a medium for absorbing a portion of the shock energy and vibration that can travel along the forearm and exit the elbow of a person during physical activity. Pressure transmitting elements are designate to localize pressure directly on the tendon that extends from the extensor digitorum muscle and is attached to the humerus. The other pressure transmitting element is placed over the tendon of the triceps brachii which is attached to the olecranon of the ulna. A positioning strap provides quick and easy ability to align the components on the arm of the wearer. Additional pressure generating straps help to generate focused pressure to the tendons and helps to maintain the brace on the arm of the wearer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to arm and elbow braces and, more particularly, to an elbow brace for preventing or attenuating the painful inflammation of the tendons in the elbow, commonly known as “tennis elbow.” 
         [0002]    A number of arm braces have been developed to treat and/or prevent a condition known as “tennis elbow.” Tennis elbow is a commonly used term to describe a painful, medical condition which is characterized by inflammation of the ligaments that connect the two bones of the forearm, the radius and ulna, and inflammation of the tendons of the muscles of the forearm that are attached to the two spurs of the humerus, the medial and lateral epicondyle. Inflammation can also occur to the tendon of the triceps brachii which is attached to the olecranon of the ulna and can also extend to the tissues in the area directly surrounding the medial and lateral epicondyle. 
         [0003]    The most characteristic symptom of tennis elbow is extreme pain which occurs from continued participation in the physical activity. Pain can also be brought on through simple movement of the forearm, for example, when a person lifts even a light object. The pain resulting with tennis elbow has been most often attributed to the inflammation that occurs to the tendons of the muscles of the forearm which are attached to the medial and lateral epicondyle of the humerus bone. Also, due to the shock that can be generated in the elbow region during physical activities, inflammation to the surrounding tissues can occur and also cause pain. Inflammation of the tendon extending from the triceps brachii to the olecranon also adds to the overall pain suffered by the afflicted person. 
         [0004]    The shock which travels along the forearm of the player when striking an object, such as a ball, with another object, such as a tennis racket, can cause at least some of the tendons attached at the epicondyle to stretch and move outward away from the bone in a phenomena sometimes referred to as “pouching.” This phenomenon is especially prevalent to the tendon of the extensor digitorum muscle which is attached to the epicondyle. Since this tendon is somewhat larger than most tendons in the area, the resulting shock and movement of the muscles during the swing of the player&#39;s arm causes the tendon to stretch and move outward away from the underlying bone. As a result, continued shock can cause this particular tendon to continue to stretch and “pouch” causing the tendon to enlarge and become inflamed. In some situations, the tendons become so stretched from its original size that surgery must be performed to reduce its size back to the size of a normal tendon. This, of course, is a rare occurrence but shows the damage that the shock energy can inflict on at least one of the tendons of the forearm. Similar pouching can also occur to the tendon extending from the triceps brachii which is in turn attached to the olecranon of the ulna. This particular tendon can also stretch and pouch resulting in inflammation and its associated discomfort. Prolonged and continuous subjection of this tendon to the shock wave can cause additional stretching and increased pain from inflammation. 
         [0005]    My previous invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,913, which is incorporated herein in its entirety, helps to prevent or alleviate tennis elbow through the application of direct pressure on various tendons that are susceptible to abnormal stretching during strenuous athletic activities, along with the placement of shock-absorbing elements around the epicondyle of the humerus bone to absorb and dissipate at least a portion of any shock energy that may travel along the forearm of the user. My previous invention reduces or prevents pouching from occurring which will help to prevent one from becoming inflicted with tennis elbow in the first place and will also help to dissipate pain and inflammation for those who already suffer from tennis elbow. The elbow brace which I previously developed utilizes a pair of shock-absorbing elements that are placed on the arm over the medial and lateral epicondyle of the humerus bone. These shock-absorbing elements can be made from an absorbent rubber, a rubber-like or similar shock-absorbing material, which can provide a means for absorbing the shock energy and vibration associated with the physical activity that can promote tennis elbow. This elbow brace also utilizes pressure transmitting elements designed to impart a localized and direct amount of pressure onto specific tendons that are more vulnerable to stretching and developing tennis elbow and its associated inflammation and discomfort. In one form of my previous invention, a pressure transmitting element is designed to localize pressure directly onto the tendon that extends from the extensor digitorum muscle and is attached to the humerus. In another form of the invention, another pressure transmitting element is placed in contact with the arm directly over the tendon of the triceps brachii which is attached to the olecranon of the ulna. These pressure transmitting elements provide a sufficient amount of radial force or pressure on these particular tendons to prevent them from pouching during physical activity. As a result, the trauma and stretching that occurs during the physical activity are diminished thus resulting in prevention or an attenuation of the condition known as tennis elbow. 
         [0006]    Other known treatments to prevent tennis elbow utilize braces which simply apply pressure around the forearm of the player to prevent some of the movement of the muscles and tendons during the physical activity. Such devices usually are made from an elastic band and Velcro straps which apply a radial pressure to the forearm. In many devices, a generalized pressure is applied to the region of the elbow without much attention being given to localizing or focusing the pressure to the particular tendons that are more susceptible to the phenomenon of pouching. As a result, these prior art devices provide some means for preventing pouching, but for the most part, only reduce it a small amount. Also, prior art devices have been utilized to apply direct pressure onto the medial and lateral epicondyle to reduce the amount of stretching of the tendons in this region. These devices are somewhat helpful but most often do not provide nearly enough pressure, due to their design, to prevent trauma in this region. Prior art devices that place pressure on the epicondyle simply do not appreciate the effect of reducing or dissipating the shock energy which exits via the elbow. 
         [0007]    The better approach is to localize or focus the pressure and increase it to prevent the tendons of interest from stretching or pouching, as is used in my previous invention. Also, it is preferable to somehow absorb the shock energy which exits via the elbow in order to reduce the amount of trauma that can be caused to the tendons and tissues in the areas surrounding the epicondyle. By merely pressing a hardened object against the epicondyle, or wrapping it with an elastic band, little, if any, shock is actually absorbed by these elements, thus ultimately diminishing their ability to alleviate trauma caused by the shock. 
         [0008]    A person using an elbow brace made in accordance with my invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,913 needs to carefully place the shock-absorbing elements and pressure transmitting elements on the proper locations of the tendons of concern. If these elements are not placed in proper contact with the tendons, then the effectiveness of my invention will be diminished. Therefore, there is a need for a device which will assist the user in properly placing the shock-absorbing elements and pressure transmitting elements in proper position on the wearer&#39;s arm. The composite elbow brace should also be designed so that the device can be simply placed on the arm and easily fixed into place allowing the various elements to perform their designated function with a minimal need to continually maneuver and maintain the elements at their proper location on the arm. The present invention satisfies these and other needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention provides a novel means for properly positioning and maintaining an elbow brace on the arm of its wearer. The present invention insures that the components designed to dissipates the shock energy that can be generated and travel along the forearm of the player will be placed at the properly location along the wearer&#39;s arm. Likewise, the present invention makes it easier for one to align the components used to place focused pressure to the tendons of interest at the right locations on the wearer&#39;s arm. As a result, these components, which play an important role in preventing or dissipating tennis elbow, will be properly placed on the wearer&#39;s arm to maximize the elbow brace&#39;s effectiveness. 
         [0010]    In general terms, the present invention utilizes the same components described in my previous invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,913, namely, a pair of shock-absorbing elements that are placed on the arm over the medial and lateral epicondyle of the humerus bone. These shock-absorbing elements are made from an absorbent rubber or rubber-like material, which can provide a means for absorbing the shock energy and vibration which are associated with the physical activity that can promote tennis elbow. The elbow brace further includes the same type of components used in my previous invention, namely, pressure transmitting elements designed to impart a localized and direct amount of pressure onto specific tendons that are more vulnerable to stretching and developing tennis elbow and its associated inflammation and discomfort. For example, one pressure transmitting element is designed to provide localize pressure directly onto the tendon that extends from the extensor digitorum muscle and is attached to the humerus. Another pressure transmitting element can be placed in contact with the arm directly over the tendon of the triceps brachii which is attached to the olecranon of the ulna. These pressure transmitting elements provide a sufficient amount of radial force or pressure on these particular tendons to prevent them from pouching during physical activity. As a result, the trauma and stretching that occurs during the physical activity are diminished thus resulting in prevention or an attenuation of the condition known as tennis elbow. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides a novel and quick means for positioning these components at the proper locations on the arm of the wearer. The present invention includes a sleeve-like body forming a flexible, supporting material which houses and maintains the shock-absorbing elements and pressure transmitting elements on the properly location of the wearer&#39;s arm. In one embodiment, these shock-absorbing elements and pressure transmitting elements are placed on the inner surface of the sleeve-like body in pockets or pouches which are created on the body. The sleeve-like body includes a positioning strap utilized to allow the wearer to place the body in an “open” position wherein a portion of the sleeve-like body is opened to allow the wearer to visualize the exact location, for example, of the shock-absorbing components to permit the wearer to place the shock-absorbing components in direct contact with the medial and lateral epicondyle of the humerus bone. The positioning strap can be likewise be placed in a “closed” position in which the positioning strap is attached to the body to complete the encircling sleeve which extends around the wearer&#39;s arm. The positioning strap can be made with a quick release device, such as hook and loop fasteners, which allows the positioning strap to be quickly opened and closed by the wearer. This allows the wearer to quickly open and close the sleeve-like body multiple times, as needed, when positioning the shock-absorbing components and pressure transmitting elements on the arm. In this fashion, one can quickly open and close the sleeve-like body to properly position these components. If the components are still not properly aligned, the wearer can continue to open and close the sleeve-like body until he/she is satisfied with the placement of the shock-absorbing elements and pressure transmitting elements on the arm. In one embodiment, the positioning strap is placed at the end of the sleeve-like body where the pressure transmitting element contacts the upper arm of the wearer to prevent pouching of the tendon of the triceps brachii. 
         [0012]    The present invention further includes strapping means associated with the sleeve-like body which are designed to generate and maintain an inward radial force or pressure on the wearer&#39;s arm. In one embodiment, a first pressure generating strap is disposed over the positioning strap. This first pressure generating strap applies an inward radial force to the upper arm of the wearer and likewise to the pressure transmitting element which helps to generate the focused pressure to the tendon of the triceps brachii. As a result, pouching of the tendon of the triceps brachii is greatly reduce or eliminated during the exercise. This first strap device is adjustable to produce the desired amount of radial force to the upper arm of the wearer. This allows the wearer to adjust the radial force as needed. A second pressure generating strap, similar to the above-described strap device, can be located at the other end of the sleeve-like body, to provide an inward radial force to the forearm of the wearer. This second pressure generating strap can be placed over the pressure transmitting element which prevents pouching of the tendon that extends from the extensor digitorum muscle and is attached to the humerus. Likewise, this second strap can be adjusted by the wearer to adjust the amount of radial force or pressure being generated on the forearm of the wearer. This second strap will also help generate the localized pressure which prevents the tendon from pouching. 
         [0013]    In another particular form of the invention, the pressure transmitting elements may be comprised of generally elongate tubular members which extend approximately the length of the tendons that they contact. This particular structure is beneficial during play since the tubular members are generally disposed within pouches or pockets formed on the sleeve-like body which house the tubular members. The tubular members remain in place within the pockets during play and are maintained in proper contact with the region of the arm where the focused pressure is to be applied. Their configuration maintains them in direct contact with the tendons during play since the same amount of surface area contacts the tendon throughout play, even if the elements should rotate within the pocket. The tubular members can also be hollow to allow for some shock-absorbing capability during the physical activity. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a pair of pockets are disposed on the sleeve-like body to house the pressure transmitting element that prevents pouching of the tendon that extends from the extensor digitorum muscle and is attached to the humerus. A pair of side-by-side pockets are utilized for this particular pressure transmitting element since the location of this tendon varies from the left arm and right arm. For example, the wearer can place the pressure transmitting element in the pocket designated for the right arm when the elbow brace is to be worn on the right arm. The pressure transmitting element can be removed from the pocket designated for the right arm and placed into the adjacent pocket when the elbow brace is going to be worn on the wearer&#39;s left arm. In this regard, the elbow brace can be adapted for use on either the left or right arm of the wearer by simply placing the pressure transmitting element in the proper pocket. 
         [0015]    The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the foregoing detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example the principle of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an elbow brace made in accordance with the present invention as it is being placed on the arm of a user; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the elbow brace depicted in  FIG. 1  as it is properly placed on the arm of a user; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a view of the elbow brace depicted in  FIG. 1  showing the inner surface of the sleeve-like body which houses both the pressure transmitting elements and shock-absorbing elements; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 4-6  shows one of the pressure transmitting elements being removed from one of the pockets and being placed in an adjacent pocket to allow the elbow device to be worn on either the right or left arm of the wearer; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing a pressure transmitting element contained within a pocket formed on the sleeve-like body; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of one of the shock-absorbing elements contained within a pocket formed on the sleeve-like body. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show one particular embodiment of an elbow brace made in accordance with the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , the elbow brace  10  is shown as the arm A of the wearer is initially being inserted into the device.  FIG. 2  shows the same elbow brace  10  fully placed on the arm of the wearer. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the elbow brace  10  covers the forearm F, elbow region E, and upper arm UA of the wearer.  FIG. 1  shows in phantom lines the various elements designed to impart the pressure onto the various tendons of the arm along with the elements which provide the shock-absorbing features that absorbs a good portion of the shock energy in the elbow region E in order to reduce the inflammation of the tendons at the epicondyle. 
         [0023]    The elbow brace  10  shown in  FIG. 1  includes a first shock-absorbing element  12  which comes in contact with the arm and is placed directly over the medial epicondyle of the humerus bone. A second shock-absorbing element  14  is also located on the elbow brace  10  and comes in contact with the arm and located directly over the lateral epicondyle of the humerus bone.  FIGS. 1 and 2  do not show either the medial or epicondyle bone in the arm, however, it must be appreciated that these shock-absorbing components are placed directly over the specific regions in the arm to provide the shock-absorbing capabilities necessary to dissipate the trauma and inflammation caused by the shock energy which travels to and exits the elbow region E. 
         [0024]    The elbow brace  10  includes a first pressure transmitting element  16  which is placed on the elbow brace  10  on the back side of the upper arm UA where it contacts the arm directly over the tendon of the triceps brachii which is attached to the ulna bone. A second pressure transmitting element  18  contacts the forearm F of the wearer and is placed directly over the tendon of the extensor digitorum muscle which is attached to the humerus. Again,  FIGS. 1 and 2  do not show either of these tendons in the arm, however, it must be appreciated that these components are placed directly over these specific tendons in the arm to provide the focused pressure needed to prevent pouching of the tendons. 
         [0025]    The elbow brace  10  can be manufactured as an elastic sleeve-like body  20  which also helps impart a slight inward radial pressure on the arm. This sleeve-like body  20  can also help impart some pressure onto the outer surface of the first and second shock-absorbing elements to apply a small amount of pressure to the tendons in the area of the medial and lateral epicondyle area. The elastic nature of the sleeve-like body  20  can also help maintain the various elements in direct contact with the arm to enable the elements to perform their particular functions. It should be noted that in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , pouches or pockets  22  are shown formed on the inner surface  24  of the sleeve-like body to house these particular elements  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18 . It should be appreciated that the sleeve-like body  20  can be made, for example, from a double piece of fabric which has stitching which provides and creates the internal pockets  22 . Other arrangements could be made in which individual pockets, as shown in  FIG. 1 , are formed on the inner surface  22  of the body  20 . Clearly, there are any number of different possibilities that can be utilized in creating the particular means for holding and maintaining the shock-absorbing and pressure transmitting elements at the respective locations on the sleeve-like body  20 . 
         [0026]    In the particular embodiment disclosed in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sleeve-like body  20  includes a positioning strap  26  used by the wearer to properly position the shock-absorbing elements  12  and  14  on the elbow E. In this regard, the positioning strap  26  actually completes the tubular sleeve which encircles the wearer&#39;s upper arm UA and elbow region E. This positioning strap  26  includes a quick release fastener to allow the user to quickly open and close the strap  26  when attempting to position the elbow brace on the wearer&#39;s arm. For example, a hook-and-loop fastener can be used for quick release. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the positioning strap  26  has the loop portion  28  of the fastener attached thereto. The hook portion  30  of the fastener is, in turn, attached to an adjacent location  32  on the sleeve-like body. In the particular embodiment of  FIGS. 1  and  2 , this adjacent location of the sleeve-like body is formed as a strap  34  which cooperates with the positioning strap  26  to complete the encircling sleeve. 
         [0027]    Initially, when the wearer first starts to pull the elbow brace  10  onto his/her arm, the location of the shock-absorbing elements  12  and  14  may not be exactly in contact with the medial and lateral epicondyle area. When the pressure transmitting elements  16  and  18  are not properly aligned over the tendons of interest, the positioning strap  26  allows the wearer to “open” a portion of the sleeve-like body  20  to allow the wearer to visualize where the shock-absorbing elements  12  and  14  are located on the inner surface  22  of the sleeve-like body. The opening of the body also allows the wearer to locate the medial or lateral epicondyle to allow the wearer to move the body  20 , as needed, to place the shock-absorbing element over the area of the medial or lateral epicondyle. The wearer can then move the positioning strap back to a “closed” position in which the positioning strap  26  attaches to the second positioning strap  34 . This will complete the sleeve which encircles the arm of the wearer and will help to prevent the elbow brace from moving on the arm of the wearer. If the shock-absorbing components  12  and  14  are still not in proper position over the distal and medial epicondyle region, the wearer can quickly open the positioning strap  26  and again attempt to reposition the shock-absorbing components. The use of the quick release fastener on the positioning strap  26  allows the wearer to quickly open and close the sleeve multiple times, if needed. It should be appreciated that the shock-absorbing elements  12  and  14  and the pressure transmitting elements  16  and  18  are disposed on the sleeve-like body such that proper alignment of only one of these elements will most likely cause the remaining elements to align properly on the arm as well. For this reason, proper alignment of the shock-absorbing elements  12  and  14  on the arm will likewise cause the pressure transmitting elements  16  and  18  to align properly on the arm as well. 
         [0028]    The elbow brace  10  further includes means for applying an inward radial force to the arm of the wearer. As can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first pressure generating strap  36  is shown disposed over the positioning strap  26 . This first pressure generating strap  36  applies a radial pressure which acts on the pressure transmitting element  16  which then creates the focused pressure that is applied to the tendon. This first pressure generating strap  36  also acts to help maintain the elbow brace at the desired location on the wearer&#39;s arm. This pressure generating strap  36  includes a quick release fastener, such as a hook-and-loop fastener, which allows the user to quickly and easily adjust the position of the strap  36  on the arm. This quick release fastener will also allow the wearer to adjust the amount of pressure being generated by the strap  36 . As can be seen best in  FIG. 2 , the strap  36  includes a buckle  38  which is attached to outer surface of the sleeve-like body  20 . The end  40  of the strap  36  can be placed through this buckle  38  and cinched back onto itself for attachment. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the end  40  of the strap  36  has the hook portion  42  of the quick release fastener attached to it. The end  40  of the strap  36  can then be attached to the loop portion  44  which extends along the length of the strap  36 . The force or pressure generated by this strap  36  can be varied by changing the location where the end  40  is attached to the loop portion  44  of the strap  36 . 
         [0029]    A second pressure generating strap  46  also can be incorporated into the elbow brace  10  to better hold the device on the arm of the wearer. This second pressure generating strap  46  can also includes a buckle  48  and quick release fastener as described above with respect to the strap  36 . This second strap  46  can be place at the end of the sleeve-like body  20  to apply pressure over the forearm F of the wearer. By positioning this second strap  46  over the pressure transmitting element  18 , it will apply pressure to the second pressure transmitting element  18  which will in turn create the focused pressure that is to be applied to the tendon of the forearm. The amount of pressure generated by this second strap  46  can be adjusted accordingly. This second strap  46  will also help to maintain the elbow brace  10  at the desired location of the arm of the wearer. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-8 , the placement of the shock-absorbing elements  12  and  14  along with the pressure transmitting elements  16  and  18  on the inner surface  26  of the sleeve-like body  20  is shown. Each of these components is placed in a pre-formed pocket  22 . The pressure transmitting element  18  can be placed in either of two pockets formed on the body  20 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 3-6 , one pocket  22  is marked with the letter “R” and an adjacent pocket  22  is marked with the letter “L.” Since the tendon in the forearm is located at different locations on the right arm and left arm of the wearer, the placement of the pressure transmitting element  18  in the pocket marked with the “R” allows the wearer to wear the elbow brace  10  on the right arm. The location of the pocket marked “R” will properly place the pressure transmitting element  18  directly over the tendon of interest. If the wearer were to place this elbow brace on his/her left arm, with the pressure transmitting element  18  placed in the pocket marked “R”, then the element  18  would not be located over the tendon in the left arm. Rather, it would misaligned with the left tendon. The present invention allows the wearer to change the location of the pressure transmitting element  18  to the pocket marked “L” to allow the wearer to wear the elbow brace of his/her left arm. The shift of the pressure transmitting element  18  to the pocket marked “L” will now allow this element  18  to properly align over the tendon in the left arm. While pockets are used to house this element  18 , it should be understood that other structures could be used to allow the wearer to change the location of this pressure transmitting element  18  as needed. 
         [0031]    The shock-absorbing elements  12  and  14  are shown as solid elastic member which are sized to fit over the lateral and medial epicondyle regions. It should be appreciated that other shapes and sizes could be used in conjunction with these elements. For example, ring-like members made from a shock-absorbing material can be used. These shock-absorbing elements  12  and  14  are placed directly over the medial and lateral epicondyle such that the shock absorbent material actually surrounds the tip of the epicondyle and contacts the region around the tip where many of the tendons of the forearm are attached. The shock-absorbing characteristics of these first and second shock-absorbing elements helps transmit the shock away from the elbow region thus reducing the amount of trauma that can be caused to the tendons and tissue at the elbow region. 
         [0032]    The pressure transmitting elements  16  and  18  are shown as generally hollow, elongate tubular members which are made from a plastic material, or similar materials which allow for some shock-absorbing capabilities as well. These shock-absorbing elements produce an inner radial force onto the tendons of interest and are again held in place by the sleeve-like body  20 . These pressure transmitting elements each provide a certain amount of surface area which contacts the arm of the player and defines an area of contact which allows the brace to direct focused pressure to the specific tendons of interest. The placement of the pressure transmitting elements, as well as the shock-absorbing elements, is critical since a misalignment of these elements of the arm will not allow the elements to perform the necessary functions to the particular body parts. 
         [0033]    During exercise or play, it is possible for the elbow brace to start to move or shift on the arm, which can cause the elements to move from their intended locations on the arm. The wearer merely has to open the first strap  36  and re-adjust the positioning strap  26  to again realign the shock-absorbing elements on the epicondyle (a simple and quick task) resulting in proper alignment of all components. The placement of the pressure transmitting elements is fixed with respect to the shock-absorbing elements via the sleeve-like member to thus provide the correct placement of these elements on the arm whenever the shock-absorbing elements are aligned. As a result, the player need not worry about specially aligning the pressure transmitting elements during play. 
         [0034]    The shock-absorbing elements can be generally made from a rubber or rubber-like material. For example, the elements can have hardness substantially within the range of about 40 to 60 Shore hardness. If the material density or hardness is too little, then the shock energy again will not be sufficiently absorbed and dissipated. It should be appreciated that the materials need not be rubber but can be any material, such as elastomeric material, which provides the appropriate amount of shock-absorbing capability. Again, the critical factor is that the epicondyle be placed in contact with a shock-absorbing material which will dissipate a good portion of the shock energy that may be transmitted through the forearm to the elbow region. 
         [0035]    From the above, it is evident that the present invention provides a novel approach for an elbow brace for preventing and attenuating the symptoms and pain associated with the condition known as tennis elbow. The elbow brace described above is superior over the prior art since the present invention provides both shock-absorbing and pressure transmitting capabilities to the body parts which are most affected by the shock energy and the stretching of the tendons which causes tennis elbow along with a quick and simple means for properly positioning these various components over the specific regions of the wearer&#39;s arm. While particular forms of the invention have been described and illustrated, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited except by the appended claims.