What Exactly is a Wrist Brace and How Does it Work?
A wrist brace is a garment that is worn around the wrist to protect it during strong or overuse of the wrist or to enable the wrist to heal after being injured. In point of fact, wrist braces are frequent accessories used in the rehabilitation of wrist injuries. They keep the wrist joint from moving while also applying heat and compression to the bones and ligaments in the wrist.
Velcro is the most common method used to secure wrist braces, which are often constructed of hard tissue nylon fabric or neoprene. These materials restrict the range of motion in the hand and wrist. You should use a wrist brace if you have tingling, discomfort, or numbness in your hand or wrist; if your wrist is weak or injured; if you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome; or if you sleep with your wrist bent.
If you are experiencing pain in either your left hand or your right hand or your wrist, you can buy wrist brace that is a suitable fit for you.
Benefits of Putting on a Wrist Brace
Patients who have suffered an injury can speed up their recovery with the assistance of wrist braces, and patients who have a chronic ailment, such as arthritis, can see an improvement in their quality of life with the aid of wrist braces. Patients need to have a complete understanding of not only these benefits but also how wrist braces work to assist in their recovery.
1. Wrist Stabilization
Wrist braces come in a wide variety of designs to accommodate the treatment of a comprehensive range of injuries and conditions. On the other hand, the majority of orthopedic supports for wrist tackle injuries are in a few fundamental ways. Wrist braces work to prevent excessive movement in the joint by maintaining its stable position in the structures that surround it. Because of this, the patient can function normally and finish the activities of daily living without impeding the healing process. The brace helps to stabilise the wrist, and the wearer can avoid making unnecessary motions with his hands, which would otherwise make the situation even worse. The patient can go about his normal routine without impeding the progress of recovery from their illness.
2. Swelling Reduction
By keeping the wrist still and immobile with a brace, one can alleviate swelling as well as the associated pain that inflammation causes. The use of a brace to immobilise the wrist also contributes to a reduction in the swelling that occurs in the wrist. The person will feel less discomfort as a result of the inflammation, which will allow them to remain calm and at ease.
3. Post-surgical Healing
Patients who have undergone wrist surgery may be instructed to wear a wrist brace so that the surgical incision can be protected and the patient can recover from the surgery more quickly.
4. Reduced Limitations Placed On Everyday Activities
It is essential to impress upon patients that a wrist brace will provide one of the most flexible wearing experiences possible among all orthopedic braces. There is a widespread fear among patients that wearing orthopedic supports will make it more difficult for them to carry out their regular activities. As a result, many patients avoid using their support properly or even completely.
Certain wrist braces allow the wearer to move the finger and thumb joints, which enables the wearer to continue with typical tasks despite having the brace on. The majority of the time, people utilize them for activities that require greater use of their wrists and hands.
5. Improves Sleep Quality and Minimises Pain
These braces can also improve sleep quality since they protect the wrist and immobilize it, hence minimising the amount of pain that the user experiences.
A study that was conducted not too long ago and published in the journal of the American College of Rheumatology discovered that patients who wore working wrist braces for as much of the day as they could for four weeks experienced a reduction in wrist pain of approximately 32 per cent. In addition to that, they saw a five per cent improvement in their grip strength.
6. Enhance the Overall Quality of One's Life
When a patient is suffering from a chronic ailment, such as arthritis, wearing a brace can assist them to improve their quality of life. It makes it easier for them to manage the pain and discomfort that comes along with having this illness.
7. Managing the Most Excruciating Ache
If the patient is suffering from agonising pain in the wrist, he/she should consider using a wrist brace for comfort. After some time, the patient will notice a significant improvement in the condition.
8. Use in Sports
Wrist braces serve a protective purpose in sports and activities like weight lifting and bodybuilding that put a significant amount of strain on the wrists. Applying pressure around the wrist can help prevent wrist sprains and strains in situations like these.
There are instances when they serve two purposes: first, they shield the wrist from injury, and second, they wipe the sweat off the forehead. They are constructed out of absorbent materials like cotton or plush so that they can serve this role.
Wrist guards are occasionally worn by gymnasts who compete in artistic gymnastics so that the gymnasts' bodies can better absorb the impact of the moves they perform. When doing exercises on the vaulting platform or the floor, the guards are typically worn. The construction differs slightly for male and female users.
9. Stocking and Shipping
If you perform repeated jobs in a warehouse, you are subject to harm. Moving heavy objects might result in repetitive stress injuries that can be prevented by wearing a wrist brace. The brace absorbs weight from your wrist, so decreasing the cumulative stress you impose on it during your workday. Also, If you have already had a wrist injury, a wrist brace might expedite your return to work.
10. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a repetitive stress injury encountered by those who use their hands frequently, such as keyboard typists.
Whoever has a job that requires little finger movements is susceptible to this illness.
It can cause discomfort, weakness, tingling, and numbness in the wrist, thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers.
Typically, it is caused by pressure on the median nerve. This median nerve is relieved of pressure with a carpal tunnel brace for the wrist.
11. Tendonitis
Tendonitis is a repetitive motion injury that is typically caused by excessive wrist use. In contrast to carpal tunnel syndrome, this condition affects your tendons. It can be induced by typing, sports, and other repetitive activities.
Tendonitis wrist braces can alleviate pain caused by repetitive actions.
12. Arthritis
Arthritis occurs when one or more of your joints are painful or swollen, causing pain and stiffness. It occurs when cartilage in the wrist begins to deteriorate, making the joint less robust.
One of the most effective ways to alleviate the discomfort of arthritis is to temporarily immobilise the wrist with a brace. This prevents excessive movement, hence decreasing wear and tear. Then, once the immediate irritation subsides, you can begin to work on long-term benefits by performing strengthening and mobility exercises.
How Long Should you Wear a Wrist Brace?
You should keep wearing the brace for at least 4-8 weeks or until your symptoms have completely subsided, whichever comes first. In addition to helping reduce swelling, sleeping with a wrist brace on can also assist relieve the pressure that is being placed on the nerve.
Conclusion
When it comes to assisting a person through the process of injury recovery, particularly when it pertains to the wrist, there is no such thing as a universally applicable solution that can be applied to all cases. The treatment that is successful for one individual and the wrist injury that they have may not be as successful for another individual who has the same or a similar wrist injury. It is essential to educate both yourself and your patient about the potential advantages and disadvantages of wearing a wrist brace to determine whether or not these orthopedic aids are beneficial or harmful.