Fitting help
Fitting the Masalo Cuff Correctly: 4 Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
If the cuff hardly seems to work or keeps slipping, one of four typical mistakes is usually to blame. Here you can see each mistake in a photo comparison – with how to spot it and how to fix it.
Contents
Key points at a glance
- The forearm cuff belongs in the middle of the forearm, not at the elbow.
- The upper-arm strap is tight enough that you can only straighten your arm with some effort.
- The upper-arm strap sits just above the elbow bone, not up towards the shoulder.
- Too tight is also wrong: you must still be able to straighten your arm.
Compare your cuff with the photos: the red cross shows the mistake, the green tick the correct fit. You will find the complete procedure in our illustrated fitting guide.
Mistake 1: the forearm cuff is too close to the elbow
- How to spot it: you can straighten your arm without any effort and there is no counter-traction. Often the upper-arm strap slips as well.
- How to fix it: position the forearm cuff halfway between the hand and the elbow and fasten it so that it cannot slide upwards. When you straighten your arm, a bulge will then appear in front of the elbow.
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✓Mistake 2: the upper-arm strap is too loose
- How to spot it: the cuff slips, and you can straighten your arm fully without any resistance.
- How to fix it: bend your arm and fasten the upper-arm strap tightly enough that the elastic does not stick out much and the cuff fits snugly against the skin. After that, it should only be possible to straighten your arm with some effort.
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✓Mistake 3: the upper-arm strap is too high
- How to spot it: the strap is fastened up towards the shoulder. The arm is restricted in its movement, or the strap slips down after a few movements.
- How to fix it: position the upper-arm strap just above the elbow bone. As a rule of thumb: when your arm is bent at about 90 degrees, the cuff also forms an angle of roughly 90 degrees.
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✓Mistake 4: the cuff is adjusted too tightly
- How to spot it: you cannot even begin to straighten your arm, and it stays in a protective position. Circulation may be impaired.
- How to fix it: loosen the upper-arm strap until you can straighten your arm with some effort. A tight setting only makes sense with acute pain or heavy strain such as work or strength training – loosen it again afterwards.
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✓Checklist: this is how the cuff should fit
- Forearm cuff halfway between the hand and the elbow
- Marker dot roughly centrally in line with the crook of the elbow
- Upper-arm strap just above the elbow bone, fitting snugly
- Straightening only with some effort, with a visible bulge in front of the elbow
- The arm remains normally mobile, no protective posture
Still unsure? Do the function test. If you are still stuck, please get in touch via our contact page – ideally before you send the cuff back.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Masalo Cuff slip?
Usually the upper-arm strap is too loose or sits too high, or the forearm cuff has slipped too close to the elbow. First correct the position, then the tension of the strap. The silicone hook-and-loop strip inside the upper-arm strap provides additional grip.
How tight can the cuff be?
You must still be able to straighten your arm with some effort, and circulation must not be impaired for any length of time. A very tight setting only makes sense temporarily, for example with acute pain or during work and strength training.
What does the bulge at the elbow mean?
The bulge between the forearm cuff and the elbow shows that the counter-traction is taking effect. It tells you that the area of the tendon attachments is being relieved and that the cuff is fitted correctly.
