One of the most general issues in postindustrial times is wrist pain. This problem has been dated back to the Industrial Revolution and was then referred to as “weaver’s wrists”, which covered a few conditions. A popular device that helps in the treatment of wrist pain is the wrist brace.
Most wrist pain in modern use is triggered from one of three things: Tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome or a sprain. (some people who do more active things can get broken wrists.) What wrist braces are supposed to do differs a little bit on each of these, and an accurate diagnosis will help you set up your wrist brace and speed your recovery.
Tendonitis happens when the tendon sheath becomes inflamed from overuse. This is very common for athletes that play sports that require you put a spin on the wrist such as racket ball or tennis. The wrist brace will prevent the tendon sheath from moving. This is generally combined with anti-inflammatory drugs or icing. The wrist brace used for this problem will let the wrist flex up or down however not side to side.
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when there has been compression and inflammation of the nerve sheath for the median nerve that goes over the joint of the wrist. Sufferers usually feel pain in their wrist as well as ‘funny bone’ pinched nerves in the hand, which will begin at the base of the thumbs and travel up to the forearm to the elbow.
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops from repetitive stress injuries such as typing too much or using a mouse too often. In severe instances, it can prevent the use of the hand. Wrist braces work in this case to try to prevent the wrist from moving in a vertical fashion, because the general cause of this issue comes from poor posture when typing because people do not move their wrists at the appropriate angle where the nerve can be compressed.
Good wrist braces for carpal tunnel syndrome are nearly identical to a wrist brace for tendonitis, they’re just adjusted differently - they’re usually not as tight on lateral motion, and offer more support to the underside or inside of the wrist. Most will also have a rigid insert on the underside of the wrist to keep you from flexing your wrist like a hinge.
Wrist sprains and wrist breaks are the result of injuries to the ligaments around the wrist joints; unlike tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, these are likely to get better without extreme amounts of physical therapy. A wrist brace for a sprain is designed to immobilize the wrist and keep you from flexing it in any direction. It also really hampers how you can use the affected hand a great deal.
No matter what the problem that requires you to wear a wrist brace, make certain to put in the effort and read the instructions on your wrist brace. Do not tighten the straps too tightly when putting it on or it will stop blood flow. Wear your wrist brace whenever you feel pain coming on to help your condition.
Tom Nicholson has spent years helping sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome. Please click here to find out more regarding having asore wrist.