Dr. Martino said that while trying to heal, it wasn’t easy because when he slept or sat at a desk his elbows always came into contact with the bed or armrest, causing pain and inhibiting the nerves from properly healing.
He has found that the brace is also very good for treating tendinitis at the elbow and other injuries plaguing the elbow area.
Through research, trial and error, Dr. Martino found that an ideal brace to wear will be designed to:
- Cushion the elbow area;
- Isolate point of injury from contact with brace and/or other surfaces;
- Displace pressure/friction away from the ulnar nerve;
- Give the point of injury a chance to heal, decompress and prevent further injuries from occurring;
- Be comfortable and easy to use.
He says that best time to wear a protective brace is at bedtime because it will maximize the time in which the brace can work. “By decompressing the injured area and nerve, the brace will allow the body to heal the area and nerve without unwanted compressive injury,” said Dr. Martino. It can also be effective while sitting at a desk whether at work or at class. It can be worn driving either as a passenger or driver too and while flying as a passenger or pilot.
In conclusion, people in a debilitated state, whether they are in a wheelchair or bed, can use the brace to prevent or treat ulnar and surrounding area injuries.
Dr. Martino worked in collaboration with the Innovation Lab in Newport Beach, Calif. to design a brace that meets and exceeds the criteria listed above. Here’s his video story. https://youtu.be/F8pNORoUBZI. It is called the Lonnie Brace and it's available on Amazon
Dr. Stephen Martino is a board certified neurologist educated at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Fellowship trained in nerve and muscle disorders. He was plagued by injuries to his ulnar nerve at the elbow for years. He says, “It was exacerbated during sleep, sitting at a desk or throwing a ball, the nerves continued to become even more irritated.” Plus, the recovery from these injuries was slow keeping him away from activities he enjoyed
Dr. Martino currently practices neurology full time and is currently on staff at Rutgers New Jersey School of Medicine.