Carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of inflammation in the wrist, and sometimes requires a wrist support, or brace, to improve. The carpal tunnel consists of a combination of the carpal ligament and bone, and provides a passage for the median nerve and tendons in the wrist.
When you repeat identical wrist movements for long periods of time, your carpal tunnel sometimes becomes irritated due to the motion of the tendons rubbing on the interior of the tunnel. This irritation leads to inflammation, which then results in compression of the median nerve. As the median nerve is squeezed by the swelling inside your wrist, you will experience symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, such as pain, tingling, and numbness. These symptoms can either be prevented or relieved by the use of carpal tunnel wrist braces.
Wrist Braces: The Fit is Critical
When using carpal tunnel wrist braces, it is important to make sure that the brace fits correctly. If it is too tight, it can rub and chafe, or even compress the wrist further, resulting in additional symptoms. If the brace is too loose, so that your hand can flop around inside, it won't work effectively. Carpal tunnel wrist supports should be fitted individually by a doctor. During the fitting, pay attention to the way the doctor adjusts the brace, to aid in achieving the best fit later.
The area of the brace that sits at the base of your thumb should be comfortable, and should not press into the skin when the brace is fully adjusted. Try to wear the brace for at least 10 minutes during the fitting, to check for pressure and chafing problems. The wrist support should have adjustable velcro straps, to allow you to adjust the fit as needed.
Preventing Carpal Tunnel Pain With a Brace
You can use wrist braces to prevent flare-ups of symptoms, as well as deal with symptoms as they arise. In order to prevent the pain and tingling associated with compression of the carpal tunnel, wear the support during any activity that can cause repetitive stress on the wrist. Work activities are a common culprit, but for people with carpal tunnel syndrome, many other activities can result in a flare up, including driving a car and using a manual screwdriver. Wearing the braces at night can also help to prevent symptoms, since many people flex their wrists during sleep, resulting in carpal tunnel irritation.
Using a Brace for Pain Relief
Keeping wrist braces in the freezer can provide instant relief for wrist pain when your CTS flares up. The metal in the wrist brace retains the cold of the freezer, while the cloth covering the metal will keep it from being too cold on the skin. In addition, immobilizing the wrist with a carpal tunnel wrist support will help the carpal tunnel to recover from the irritation sooner, resulting in relief from the symptoms.
Sources:
National Library of Medicine: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Accessed April 1, 2010.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Accessed March, 2011.
Updated: March, 2011
Victoria Nicks - Victoria Nicks has a Master's Degree in IT, and extensive hands-on experience with various types of hardware and software.
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