A wrist brace is worn to provide support to the wrist joint while the structures that make up or that are around the wrist like the bones, tendons, and nerves are healing.
Wrist braces may differ from wrist splints since the wrist splints have an additional rigid bar inserted; they can be made of metal or plastic to prevent any bend in the brace.
Different uses of wrist braces
1. When dealing with wrist trauma
The initial healing process requires as little movement as possible. To minimize movement, a brace is worn. This is commonly used following wrist sprains and fractures around the wrist.
Should the brace be worn before or after the surgery?
The brace can be worn at either of these times though it will mostly be needed before the fracture is fixed. After surgery, the decision is up to the surgeon on whether to continue with the brace or not.
After cast removal
In some cases, after a cast is removed, a splint will continue to be used to confer more protection on the wrist as it continues to heal.
2. Carpal tunnel syndrome treatment
During the early treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, a wrist brace is essential. It is especially worn at night when the pain seems to be severe.
The wrist brace is also worn following surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Wearing wrist brace at night in carpal tunnel syndrome.
The rationale is to keep the wrist in safe extension (hand curving slightly backward) and prevent compression of the median nerve at the front of the wrist.
At night, the tendency is to involuntarily bend your wrist for prolonged periods of time, therefore the splint prevents this.
3. Wrist brace for Dequervains tendinitis
Dequervain’s tendinitis is secondary to overuse of the wrist leading to inflammation of the sheet of tissue known as the extensor retinaculum that covers the tendons that are adjacent to the thumb.
A variant of a wrist brace also known as a thumb spica is worn to prevent that movement and allow the tendons to heal.
In this 2015 study, a wrist brace was reported to provide marked relief to patients who used it for this condition.
4. Wrist braces when heavy lifting
These are famously referred to as wrist wraps. They are said to provide more stability to the wrist preventing injury and also allowing you to lift more.
How to wear a wrist brace
Most braces have Velcro straps which indicate the part that is placed on the inside of the brace.
Place your wrist appropriately in the brace and tighten it with the straps. It should be snug to your wrist but not too tight to compress the nerves or prevent blood flow around the wrist.
Can I wear a brace as I drive
You need to have clearance from your surgeon or primary physician before you can drive with a brace. That being said, when you have a fresh fractures or sprains at your wrist, driving may be very hard because of the pain, however, in other chronic conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, Dequervains tendinitis, driving can be tolerated as long as the wrist is splinted.
How to wash a wrist brace
It is best to hand wash your brace and then leave it to air dry. Machine washing can ruin it. As always, look at the instruction manual that the brace comes with to know the best way how to care for it.
In conclusion, wrist braces are used for providing support to injured or inflamed wrists. They are used in cases of acute injuries to the wrist and even for chronic wrist conditions.
