Introduction To Carpal Tunnel Braces

Anyone who has experienced wrist and hand strain after a long day of typing knows that it is a particular pain that can be difficult to ignore. However, if your nagging wrist pain progresses to carpal tunnel syndrome, you should seek treatment as soon as possible.

The first step in treatment is to obtain an accurate diagnosis.

Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include numbness and tingling in the thumb through ring fingertips. However, the right tools can aid in the treatment of this condition. While carpal tunnel surgery is an option, most treatments are non-invasive and can be done at home.

Wearing a wrist brace while working or sleeping can provide immediate and long-lasting relief from hand nerve pain.

Braces stabilize your wrist by holding your hand in a neutral position. Stabilization is best accomplished by a solid piece that sits on the palm and along the surface of the wrist.

Using a wrist brace in conjunction with complementary treatments can assist you in managing carpal tunnel syndrome at home. Furthermore, it can be an excellent way to relieve pain if you cannot see your doctor right away.

Here is a review of the best wrist braces for carpal tunnel syndrome available on the market today.

Overall winner: MUELLER Green Fitted Wrist Brace

A metal spoon stabilizes the bottom of your wrist, with additional metal to stay on top for added support.

  •  Breathable for good air circulation
  •  The antimicrobial finish keeps odors at bay
  • It is not intended for long-term use

The Mueller Fitted Wrist Brace is the best place to start when treating carpal tunnel syndrome. This Spandex low-cost wrist brace has received thousands of positive reviews from users who claim it is incredibly effective at relieving all types of wrist pain. The Mueller Fitted Wrist Brace is available in two sizes and can be worn on either the left or right wrist. It includes a metal spoon that stabilizes the bottom of your wrist and another metal that stays on top for extra support.

You may use the brace all year round because the straps are adjustable, and the material is lightweight and breathable. Furthermore, the fabric has been treated with an antimicrobial finish to keep it from becoming smelly or deteriorating quickly.

Wellgate PerfectFit Wrist Brace is the most affordable option.

Because it is light and breathable, it can be worn while working or sleeping.

  • Comfortable memory foam cushion
  • Lightweight enough for sleeping
  • Includes a splint and stabilizer

It may cause latex skin reactions.

Most carpal tunnel braces are affordable, but the Wellgate for Women PerfectFit Wrist Support is a great option. Made of memory foam, this brace offers both support and compression to alleviate wrist pain caused by conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The Wellgate PerfectFit Wrist Support is intended for people with thin arms, so it is not suitable for people with larger arms.

It’s comprised of silky fabric and comfortable memory foam for a pleasant fit. In addition to the plastic splint that fits under your wrist, the brace contains an adjustable velcro stabilizer on top that may be tightened or loosened with Velcro straps. Wearing this product while working, sleeping, or relaxing is possible due to its lightweight and breathability. It’s soft and not too stiff, but it provides the support needed to relieve wrist pain—all for a low price.

Copper Compression Gloves for Arthritis

They provide hand and wrist support while still allowing for the full range of motion.

  •  Four sizes are available.
  •  Compression material concentrated in the hand area
  • Copper-infused to reduce inflammation

Like gloves, they are not easily adjustable

These Nylon made, compression gloves, rather than wrist braces, are preferred by some patients with hand pain. If you’re looking for a glove to help with carpal tunnel syndrome, consider the Copper Compression Arthritis Gloves, which have received high marks from thousands of reviewers. These fingerless gloves are available in four sizes, ranging from small to extra-large, and provide support in the hand and wrist while allowing a full range of motion. These compression gloves are unique in that they are infused with copper, which studies suggest can help reduce inflammation. Regardless, the gloves provide sufficient compression to alleviate pain while allowing you to go about your daily activities.

Vive Wrist Brace

This product features two velcro straps for adjusting the compression and retaining therapeutic heat.

  •  Removable metal splint
  • Heat retention to improve circulation
  • Only one size is available

Vive Wrist Brace splint form can assist in maintaining your wrist in a neutral position, reducing carpal tunnel symptoms. What’s more, you can remove the splint from this product and use the brace while working or performing other activities that require a full range of motion. The Vive Wrist Brace is available in both left and right wrist orientations, and it includes a lightweight, removable metal splint to keep your wrist in a neutral position.

The compression on this Neoprene-made brace is adjusted with two velcro straps, and it also preserves therapeutic heat, which helps with circulation, in this product like many others.

Carpal Tunnel Wrist Pain Relief BRACE RCA

The plastic lightweight one size fits all design keeps the carpal tunnel’s typical U-shape, preventing nerve compression.

  • Flexible fit allows for more freedom of movement
  • All-day wear
  • Non-bulky design

Many people require wrist support while working, but traditional braces are highly restrictive and make basic movements difficult. Unlike other wrist supports, the M Brace RCA allows unrestricted use of your hands so you can wear it all day at work.

Rather than a typical splint, this brace was designed by doctors. The lightweight design keeps the carpal tunnel’s standard U-shape, preventing nerve compression while leaving your hands free to do your work. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be prevented from worsening, and the nerve can be healed because it decreases irritation to the median nerve.

BraceUP Adjustable Wrist Wraps

BraceUP Adjustable Wrist Wraps are ideal for typing.  Insert your finger into the thumb loop, then wrap the brace around your wrist to stabilize and compress it.

  • Can be worn on either wrist
  • Adjustable around the hand and wrist area
  • Comes with a storage bag
  • Limited thumb mobility

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be incredibly painful as the condition progresses because of the repetitive nature of typing. Consider the BraceUP Adjustable Wrist Support to make typing more comfortable, which features a unique design allowing greater mobility than typical wrist braces.

These Neoprene braces are only available in one size and can be worn on either wrist. Insert your finger into the thumb loop and wrap the brace around your wrist to stabilize and compress it. These braces are ideal for sports and typing because they are non-restrictive, and they come with a drawstring bag for easy storage.

ComfyBrace Night Wrist Sleep Support Brace

Instead of a metal splint, this brace features cushioned beads that provide wrist support which makes it comfortable to wear at night.

  • Cushioned beads support the wrist
  • Adjusts to your hand’s unique shape
  • Lightweight for comfortable sleep
  • Difficult to adjust for people with limited mobility
  • Available in only one size

Sleeping in an uncomfortable position can aggravate wrist pain, especially if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, so you should consider sleeping in wrist support. On the other hand, traditional braces may be uncomfortable at night, which is why products like the ComfyBrace Night.

Wrist Sleep Support Brace is intended to provide maximum support while remaining comfortable enough to be worn while sleeping. Wrist Sleep Support Brace has one size and can be worn on either hand. The compression is adjusted with hook and loop fasteners.

It features cushioned beads instead of a metal splint to give wrist support, and customers say the design is surprisingly effective because it adapts to the particular form of your hands. Furthermore, the fabric used is lightweight and breathable, so your wrist will not overheat at night. Using a brace at night or home is a good way to heal carpal tunnel symptoms. You have plenty of options with updated technology such as antimicrobial properties, odor-fighting additions, and breathable, sweat-wicking fabrics.

Pinched Median Nerve

A “pinched nerve” condition at the wrist is the usual diagnosis for Carpal tunnel syndrome.

Your knowledge of what Carpal tunnel syndrome is, who is at risk, how it is diagnosed and treated helps you find the right options for you.

Since carpal means wrist, an entrapment of the nerve at your wrist level is carpal tunnel entrapment and the nerve that is entrapped is median nerve.

Think of your wrist as a narrow tunnel with all kinds of large and small vehicles running through carrying all kinds of cargo. Your blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients and remove metabolic waste. Your nerves carry signals to and from your hands through this tunnel. The tendons of your forearm muscles pass through this crowded tunnel to allow you to use your hand and fingers.

When your wrist becomes irritated and inflamed, it narrows and restricts the flow and motions. When the restriction pushes against your nerve, you feel it not always in pain but also in weakness and numbness.

Weakness, numbness usually come before the pain and they are the earliest symptoms. However as humans we ignore early signs and wait until pain arrives before we take actions.

Pain radiates around the wrist down to the hand and fingers and up to the forearm. It can refer to any spot along the median nerve.

Numbness runs through the palm and fingers and leaves the little finger out since the little finger gets signals from ulnar nerve.

Without care, nerve impingement turns to irreversible nerve damage, loss of muscle control and muscle atrophy. In these cases, the importance of your nervous system and strength training program becomes very clear.

The loss of muscle control impacts your ability to use your finger as well as your ability to  your wrist.

Who is at risk of Carpal tunnel syndrome?

The scale of risk is tilted toward women in carpal tunnel syndrome. Those who use their hands in repetitive motions like sewing, typing and assembly especially without appropriate support and training are at greater risk.

Change in body conditions including injuries, hormonal changes and diseases like arthritis, diabetes are at greater risk.

One of the more obvious hormonal change connection to carpal tunnel happens in pregnant women with carpal tunnel syndrome appearing in the third trimester and resolving after delivery.

Considering the severe consequence of nerve damage related to carpal tunnel syndrome, it is critical to consult with a professional in regards to the diagnosis and treatment.

One method professional health care providers use to determine nerve function is nerve conduction study.

In these studies, a small current is run through the skin to activate the median nerve. They highly sensitive equipment measures the speed of nerve impulse. If the median nerve is impinged, the signal is delayed or blocked.

The sensitivity of the these equipment could backfire. They sometimes indicate non-existing blockage that is one reason they are not a stand alone test.

In addition to showing impingement, nerve conduction studies could show how bad the impairments is and if the nerve in the Guyon’s canal are also under pressure.

These studies also show polyneuropathy that is more wide spread pattern of nerve-impairment beyond one nerve.

If nerve conduction studies do not show any nerve impairment, then your health care professional and you would know that the cause is something else.

Treatments of Carpal tunnel syndrome

Conservative treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome, especially in mild-to-moderate range include maintaining the wrist in a neutral position using wrist splints.

In a 2005 study published by University of Michigan showed that over a six week period, wearing customized wrist-splints at nights experienced less pain and the result lasted after more than a year.

Anti-inflammatory medications including aspirin, naproxen, and steroid drugs are among non-invasive treatments.

After this, the intrusive but still non-surgical treatments including steroid injections into the carpal tunnel itself become an option.

It is interesting to note that in a 2005 study at Mersin University in Turkey patients had better success with splints d than with steroid injections.

After depleting the conservative options, surgery may be the only choice for those who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome pain and dysfunction.

Surgeons cut the overlying band that creates the constriction to open up the space.

In 2002 Vrije University in Amsterdam compared surgical treatment vs wearing wrist-splinting for six weeks. Eighteen months later 90% of the patients who received operation had retained success vs 75% of those who had splints.

Know your options, talk to your doctor and ask questions. Understand your risks in invasive procedures as well as delaying them.  Understand the benefits of conservative treatments as well as their limitations.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Your body is very patient in its communication with you. It tries the gentle method first. You feel the burning that becomes frequent, accompanied by tingling. An itchy numbness in your plam and fingers, especially the pathway of your meridian nerve to your thumb, index and middle fingers.

Your body lets you know this usually at nights when you are more receptive and when you flex your wrists. You wake up trying to shake the feelings out instead of listening to them.

So, the symptoms get worse as your body resorts to more direct communication with you. It begins to take your strength away. You start losing your grip. At first, you won’t be able to make a fist. You tell yourself, it is OK. You are not a fighter you are a lover. Then you won’t be able to grasp small things. Who cares, you aren’t a surgeon you console yourself. And your body finally gets tired and hits you where it hurts. Your job.

You won’t be able to perform the repetitive, unbalanced motions that tightens the passageway around your meridian nerve and irritates the nerve.

If you still play deaf, and continue the same behaviour pattern, you may lose the sensation to tell the difference between hot and cold and lose the muscle at the base of your thumb.

Wouldn’t be much easier to listen, modify the patterns that cause the pain and get professional help before things really get out of hand?

What is Carpal tunnel syndrome?

carpal tunnel syndrome

The tingling and numbness you have been ignoring for the last few months turns into a sharp, pain that shoots through your wrist, up your arm and possibly to your neck. The pain follows the nerve.

What happened? Well, you mean, other than repetitive motions that are imbalanced, and hours of typing on keyboards that are decades behind time in design, and …

You get the picture.  No experience can be isolated to a single event and the pain you experience is almost never the consequence of an individual action. Remember this as we discuss carpal tunnel syndrome.

What is Carpal tunnel syndrome?

 Pain is the result of traumatic interaction with a nerve. In this case,  the surrounding tissue narrows and squeezes your meridian nerve that runs from your fingers through your palm and wrist on the way to your spinal column in your neck.

When your nerve is squeezed, you feel a variety of symptoms that radiates along the nerve. These symptoms range from numbness and tingling to  loss of strength and pain.

The squeezing part is sometimes called entrapment that is a more visual description. Your meridian nerve is entrapped within its passageway.

To get relief, you need to release the pressure on the nerve.

 

 

Hand Bones

The carpus
scaphoid bone (2)
lunate bone (2)
triquetrum bone (2)
pisiform bone (2)
trapezium (2)
trapezoid bone (2)
capitate bone (2)
hamate bone (2)
The metacarpus (5 × 2)
The phalanges of the hand
proximal phalanges (5 × 2)
intermediate phalanges (4 × 2)
distal phalanges (5 × 2)