Elbow braces and supports typically are used for injuries and conditions such as tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, hyperextension and osteoarthritis in the elbow.
Typical costs:
For patients covered by health insurance, the typical out-of-pocket cost for a doctor-prescribed elbow brace or support consists of a durable goods copay or coinsurance of 10%-50%.
For patients not covered by health insurance, an elbow brace or support typically costs from $10-$600, depending on the type of brace and condition. The cost tends to be lower for over-the-counter braces and supports, made from fabric or elastic, that provide light to moderate support. Expect to pay more for a hinged brace made from lightweight metal or plastic that limit range of motion and provide maximum support.
For example, Walgreens charges about $14-$60 for an elbow support or brace. BraceShop.com charges from about $10-$85 for a brace or support for tennis elbow or a brace or support for golf elbow. It charges about $14-$40 for a brace for arthritis in the elbow. BraceShop.com charges about $75 to almost $600 for a brace for elbow hyperextension.
Braces for lateral epicondylitis, also called tennis elbow[1] , or medial epicondylitis, also called golfer's elbow[2] , typically are made of cloth or elastic, support the elbow muscles and help to relieve the pain of inflamed tendons.
For osteoarthritis of the elbow, a brace can provide support and help relieve pain.
For elbow hyperextension and some other injuries, a brace might be used to limit the range of motion while the elbow heals.
In some cases, a doctor will recommend or prescribe an off-the-shelf brace, but in other cases, an orthotist[3] will evaluate, help design and fit a patient with a brace.
Additional costs:
In some cases, such as after an injury or surgery, physical therapy might be required at a cost of about $50-$350 per session.
Discounts:
Drug stores and websites that sell braces sometimes offer coupons or special offers. For example, BraceShop.com has a savings club[4] that offers a 5% discount for signing up.
Shopping for an elbow brace:
A family doctor or sports medicine doctor can prescribe a prophylactic brace to prevent sports injuries, while an orthopedic surgeon can treat injuries and perform surgery, and a rheumatologist can treat arthritis. The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery offers an orthopedic specialist[5] finder by city, state or zip code; the American College of Rheumatology offers a rheumatologist locator[6] .
In some cases, a patient may need to see an orthotist, a certified health professional who specializes in braces and other orthotics, to get evaluated and fitted for a brace. The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics offers an orthotist locator[7] by state.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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