If you wear a wrist-hand orthosis or wrist splint, it can ease carpal tunnel symptoms, particularly while you are sleeping. A swelling or tightening of the carpal tunnel causes carpal tunnel syndrome. Swelling causes pressure on the median nerve. It causes tingling, a numb feeling, and weakness in the hand and forearm.
Wrist or hand pain making daily tasks difficult? You’re not alone, whether from an unexpected injury, repetitive strain, or a medical condition, making even simple tasks feel like a huge challenge. That’s where a wrist-hand orthosis comes in. You might know it simply as an arm brace, but it’s much more specific and often more effective than a generic one.
In this comprehensive guide, We’ll explain a wrist-hand orthosis and how it can be crucial to your recovery and comfort.
What is a Wrist-Hand Orthosis (WHO)
Wrist-hand Orthosis(WHO), or wrist brace, is a common name for braces that support and immobilise the wrist, hand, and fingers to heal after an injury or surgery, or manage conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
WHO’s can be customised to suit patient needs. They are made from low-temperature thermoplastic or are prefabricated for general use. WHOs can provide simple support or more complex devices that restrict or guide movement.
Conditions Treated by Wrist-Hand Orthosis
Wrist hand orthoses (WHO’S) help treat the following conditions:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Wrist sprains and strains
- Fractures
- Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Post-operative care
- Ligament injuries
- Dislocation
- Radial and or Ulnar Fracture
- Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)/Stroke
Key Features of Wrist-Hand Braces (WHOs)
How well Wrist-hand orthoses (WHOs), also known as wrist-hand braces work and how comfortable they are depend a lot on these main features:
Materials:
Braces are made from different materials, each chosen for how stiff it is, how much it weighs, and how well it can take shape:
- Plastic Materials: These can be heated and moulded to fit your hand perfectly, and can be customised to offer strong support.
- Carbon Fibre: This material is super strong but very light. Carbon fibre braces provide firm support without being bulky, making them more comfortable and easier to move in when allowed.
- Fabric and Straps: These offer comfort, breathability, and easy adjustment. They’re common in braces you can buy off the shelf or for softer support, giving light to medium stability.
Adjustability:
Being able to adjust the brace is essential for a good fit, better healing, and making sure you’re comfortable wearing it:
- Adjustable Straps: Velcro closures and buckles let you or your doctor change the brace’s tightness. It helps if your hand swells or needs different support over time.
- Moldable Parts: Some brace designs have parts that a healthcare professional can heat and reshape. This ensures an exact fit, and they are replaceable as your hand improves or needs change.
Comfort for the User
Comfort is a big deal because it affects whether you’ll wear the brace as directed:
- Built-in Padding: Soft padding is placed in key areas to prevent pressure spots, stop skin irritation, and make the brace more comfortable for long periods.
- Breathable Fabrics: Materials that let air through and wick away sweat help keep hands cool and dry. This is especially important in areas where people might sweat a lot.
What Are The Benefits of Wearing Wrist-Hand Orthoses (WHOs)?
- Prevents Over-Stretching: WHOs prevent your wrist from bending backwards too far (hyperextension) and prevent injuries.
- Crucial Support: They support your wrist’s muscles, ligaments, and tendons, helping them function effectively.
- Enhances Stability: WHOS limits unwanted movement and provides stability, thereby reducing pain in the wrist joint and promoting healing.
- Reduces Strain: Wearing a wrist brace can reduce the strain on your wrist, making everyday activities less painful and preventing overuse injuries.
- Limits Excessive Movement: The orthosis ensures your wrist doesn’t move too far in any direction, protecting it from harmful motions.
- Aids in healing ( Tendonitis or Osteoarthritis): If you suffer from conditions like tendonitis (inflamed tendons) or osteoarthritis (joint wear and tear), a wrist brace can align your wrist correctly. It helps relieve symptoms and supports the wrist while it heals.
- Supports Injury Recovery: They are incredibly helpful if you have dislocated or fractured your wrist, as they immobilise the area, allowing the bones and tissues to heal correctly.
Types of Wrist-Hand Orthoses and Their Uses
| Brace Type | Purpose | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist Splints / Standard Braces | Provide firm support to keep the wrist straight or slightly bent to relieve pressure and strain. | – Carpal tunnel syndrome – Minor wrist sprains – Tendonitis (wrist inflammation) |
| Thumb Spica Splints | Support both the wrist and thumb by immobilizing them in a stable position. | – Thumb sprains – Fractures of the thumb bones – De Quervain’s tenosynovitis – Combined wrist and thumb injuries |
| Post-Operative Orthoses | Custom-made or adjustable braces used immediately after surgery to protect and limit motion. | – After hand, wrist, or forearm surgery – Tendon or ligament repair – Stabilizing complex fractures |
Should You Wear an Arm Brace to Bed?
The answer is often yes, but it depends on your arm and the kind of brace you have.
Why wear it at night?
- Keeps Things Straight: While sleeping, a brace can help keep your arm and wrist in the correct position. It is crucial for healing.
- Stops Accidental Movements: We often move around in our sleep without realising it. The brace helps prevent you from accidentally moving your arm in a way that could cause pain or re-injury.
- Less Swelling and Pain: Keeping your arm stable overnight can often reduce swelling and pain when you wake up.
In some cases, you may not need to wear it at night:
- When you don’t need constant support for minor issues.
- Certain types of braces are meant only for daytime activity.
Always Ask Your Doctor or Therapist
The most important thing is to listen to your healthcare professional. They know your specific condition and the type of brace you have, and will give you the best advice on whether or not to wear your arm brace to bed.
What Is The Purpose of an Arm Brace?
Arm braces are essential in helping to recover from injuries and pain and improving function. When your doctor recommends an arm brace, especially a Wrist-Hand Orthosis (WHO), it’s not just a simple piece of support equipment. These devices play a crucial role in your recovery and daily comfort:
- Immobilization: Prevents harmful motion during healing
- Stabilization: Keeps joints aligned and protected
- Support: Reduces strain on tendons and muscles
- Pain Relief: Minimizes discomfort from repetitive motion or arthritis
- Rehabilitation Aid: Allows controlled motion for recovery
What is a Long Arm Hinge Fracture Brace?
These are more extensive braces used for managing broken bones. A “long arm hinge fracture brace” would cover the forearm and potentially the upper arm, featuring hinges at the elbow to control or limit movement.
They are applied to stabilise fractures of the forearm or wrist bones. The hinges allow for controlled movement at a joint (like the elbow) while the fractured bone heals, preventing unwanted stress on the healing site.
What is a Lower Control Arm Brace?
While not exclusively focused on the wrist and hand, these braces typically cover a significant part of the forearm and often include wrist support..
Uses: They are for more widespread issues affecting the forearm and wrist, such as complex soft tissue injuries, certain types of forearm fractures, or neurological conditions that require comprehensive positioning and support.
Advanced Orthosis: SaeboFlex for Stroke Recovery
Here’s why it’s so good:
- Custom-made: It is built to fit your hand perfectly, ensuring optimal support and effectiveness.
- It helps your hand move: The SaeboFlex uniquely helps your fingers bend (flex) and then uses a special cable system to assist them in straightening out (extending). This dynamic movement is crucial for grasping and releasing objects effectively.
- It helps you use your hand: By supporting your wrist and hand in a good position, it also enables you to use your hand for daily tasks, actively promoting independence.
Benefits of the Saebo Flex:
- Supports your hand: It keeps your wrist, hand, and fingers in a helpful, functional position if they’re weak or stiff due to neurological issues.
- Prevents stiffness: It actively helps stop your hand, fingers, and thumb from becoming permanently bent or “stuck” in one position (contractures).
- Improves movement: It maintains and even enhances the range of motion in your hand, fingers, and entire arm.
- Boosts strength: Consistent use strengthens the hand.
- It assists with daily tasks. It enables simple actions like grasping objects and letting them go, which is key to improving one’s quality of life.
How to Choose the Right Wrist-Hand Orthosis?
To choose the right wrist-hand orthosis, follow:
- Know Your Problem: First, a doctor or therapist must precisely determine what’s wrong with your wrist or hand. This “diagnosis” guides what kind of brace you need.
- Comfort: The brace must not be too tight, too loose, or made of an irritating material; otherwise, you won’t wear it, and it won’t help.
- Your Daily Life Matters: Think about what you do every day. Do you need to use your hands for work, sports, or hobbies? The brace should support your wrist while letting you do your usual activities as much as possible.
Custom vs Ready-Made Wrist-Hand Orthosis: What’s Right for You?
- Off-the-shelf (ready-made) braces suit common issues, and when you need something quickly. They are often less expensive.
- Customised hand and wrist braces offer the best fit and support for complex problems or when ready-made options don’t work.
Take Care of Your Brace: To ensure the longevity of your brace, keep it clean and follow any care instructions.
Conclusion
If wrist or hand pain is limiting your life, the right wrist-hand orthosis can help you regain control, comfort, and confidence. From managing arthritis or carpal tunnel to post-surgical recovery, WHOs offer lasting benefits.
KARE Prosthetics & Orthotics offers excellent wrist-hand braces because they focus on quality and how well the brace works. They understand that a brace needs to be effective and allow you to live your life.
Need expert guidance? Contact KARE Prosthetics & Orthotics today to explore your options and schedule a personalized consultation.