One of the most frequent problems in the postindustrial era is wrist pain. This condition can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution and was then called "weaver's wrists", and actually includes many conditions. Wrist braces are the most popular tools when treating wrist pain.
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.
With tendonitis, the tendon sheath will become irritated from too much usage. This is a common issue for athletes participating in sports that need a lot of wrist action such as tennis. To help this condition, a wrist brace will be used to keep the tendon sheath from moving. Much of the time anti-inflammatory drugs are given to stop inflammation, and ice may be used on the wrist as well. The brace will be removed for physical therapy and a brace for this sort of problem will let the wrist move up and down, but not side to side.
Carpal tunnel syndrome comes from compression and inflammation of the nerve sheathe for the median nerve that runs over the joint of the wrist. Common symptoms include not only wrist pain, but 'funny bone' pinched nerves in the hand (at the base of the fingers, the base of the thumbs) and all the way up 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.
In comparison, wrist braces for carpal tunnel syndrome are just about the same as a wrist brace for tendonitis, but they are adjusted differently. They are not tightened as much on lateral movement and give more support to the underside of the wrist. Several include a rigid insert on the underside of the wrist to stop you from moving your wrist like a hinge.
A sprained or broken wrist will sustain injuries to the ligaments around the wrist joints; however, unlike tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, these issues will heal with little physical therapy. The function of a wrist brace for a sprain is to prevent any movement of your wrist at all. This will of course influence how you can use the injured hand a lot.
No matter what ailment you get a wrist brace for, make sure to take the time to read the instructions on your wrist brace. When putting it on, try not to tighten it to the point where it'll constrict blood flowand if you're suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, wear it any time you feel a twinge.
Author Resource:
Tom Nicholson spends his time helping sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome. You can click here to find out more about having asore wrist .
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