Older woman wearing a wrist support wraps ribbon around a wrapped gift on a table

Finding the right wrist brace for your chronic condition

Struggling with wrist pain? Read about how to choose a suitable wrist brace for your condition.

Wrist pain can develop from many different conditions or injuries. Depending on the cause, you may experience a dull ache or the pain may be sharp and intense. Injuries such as sprains and fractures are common causes of wrist pain which may happen during daily activities such as sports. 

You may also experience wrist pain as a result of a chronic condition. A chronic condition is a complaint that is persistent and progresses slowly over time, such as arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. If you have a long-term condition or disorder, it makes sense for you to find a way to relieve some of that pain in the joint. 

Rest assured, there are many ways to help manage chronic wrist pain, including the use of braces and supports.  

Graphic of the bones in the left hand and close up of the inner structure of the hand

Understanding the anatomy of the wrist

It can be helpful to understand the structure of the wrist when deciding what wrist brace you need: 

The wrist is a complex body part that is made up of several different joints. The joints form where the two forearm bones (the radius (1) and ulna (2) meet the carpus (3)) a group of eight bones. The carpus, along with a band of connective tissue, forms the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is a tubelike structure that contains tendons (4) and nerves (5). Damage to any parts of the wrist can result in pain or a sprain. 

If you’re experiencing wrist pain of any kind, it is a good idea to seek the advice of a doctor or medical professional for a formal diagnosis and treatment plan. While you wait for a diagnosis, a wrist brace may be a good product to help you on your healing journey.

Young woman helps an older woman wearing a wrist support to wrap a gift

When to wear a wrist brace

Wrist braces, along with wrist stabilisers, wrist splints or wrist supports, are products for people who need protection and support during a chronic wrist condition. They can help you with the healing process and relieve pain experienced in swollen or weak wrists. 

Wrist braces are ideal if you are experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, tendonitis, wrist sprains and strains. They are also suitable for post-operative treatment or after a cast has been removed.

Wrist braces for repetitive strain injury

A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is when you get aches and pains in your body from doing repetitive movements. You may experience dull aching, burning, or throbbing in the area, or cramp-like pains. RSI symptoms develop gradually over time becoming more and more severe. The wrist is a part of the body that is vulnerable to RSI. 

People who work in industries where the wrist is often in use in repetitive motions, such as carpentry or food service, may be more at risk of sprains or chronic injuries to this area. 

Using a wrist brace may benefit you if you are suffering from repetitive wrist strain. Braces can help keep the wrist in a neutral position, limiting any awkward movement to reduce pain and inflammation. Using a wrist brace can enable you to continue living your daily life. 

Wrist braces and wrist splints for everyday wear can be used in many cases of repetitive strain injury to ease pain and promote comfort. The Actimove Sports Edition range offers the Actimove Wrist Stabiliser, which provides functional support to the wrist. The secure-fit-design enables free movement of the fingers while the wrist is kept stable, so you will still be able to use your hand.

Braces and supports for carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) happens when you have pressure on a nerve in your wrist. It can cause symptoms such as tingling, numbness and pain in your hand and fingers. You can often treat carpal tunnel syndrome yourself at home, but the healing process may be lengthy. It is normal if your symptoms start slowly, and then come and go. Some people even find their Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms get worse at night. This is due to tissue fluid in the arms being redistributed when the muscles are not in use. 

If you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, you can wear a wrist splint to help your wrist stay in a neutral position. Splints and braces decrease pressure on the median nerve, stabilising your wrist and minimising movement that can trigger pain. You can wear your splint at night while you sleep to ease your symptoms. Most medical professionals advise wearing a splint for several weeks until you feel better. 

Wrist stabilizers are well adapted for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Actimove’s Everyday Supports Wrist Stabiliser Carpal provides pain relief with a rigid, shaped stay for correct positioning and a palmar pad for the hand to rest on. The anatomically shaped brace stabilises the wrist in the correct position, helping to manage pain. Comfort and good breathability through neoprene-free material is combined with a unique open design that allows full finger movement and hand dexterity. 

If you’re unsure whether Actimove’s Everyday Supports Wrist Stabiliser Carpal is right for your condition, speak to a healthcare professional to obtain the correct advice for your condition.

Wrist supports and braces for tendonitis

Wrist tendonitis (also known simply as tendonitis) is where the tendons that connect your lower arm to the bones in your fingers become swollen and inflamed. The condition can cause varying degrees of pain or stiffness, usually when you grip and lift objects or move your wrist or fingers. 

Wrist tendon pain usually goes away with rest, although your doctor may advise a course of treatment to help you on your healing journey. Braces can help support the healing process of wrist tendonitis as they help limit movement, which in turn aids recovery. Compression wrist braces can be particularly helpful in cases of tendonitis. Compressing the area will support the wrist during the healing process. Actimove Sports Edition Wrist Stabiliser is suitable for those who need to support their wrist while exercising. 

Wrist supports and braces for arthritis

Arthritis is the name of a condition that involves the swelling of one or more joints in the body. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both result in a slow loss of cartilage inside the joints. 

While in osteoarthritis this is due to general wear and tear, in rheumatoid arthritis it is caused by chronic inflammation from an autoimmune disease. Both types of arthritis lead to symptoms of joint pain, swelling and a reduced ability to move the affected area. If you have been diagnosed with arthritis in your wrists, you may find that your symptoms gradually worsen over time. It is important that you speak to a medical professional who will help you to manage the condition. 

Arthritis becomes more common as we age and can affect the hands and the wrists. It is a typical cause of wrist pain where there has been no injury or repetitive movement. Wrist arthritis can be challenging to live with because it can cause difficulty when carrying objects or carrying out everyday activities.

For many people living with arthritis, the main objective is to reduce pain, slow down the progression of the disease and minimise joint damage. Maintaining physical function is key. Currently, there is no cure for arthritis, although you can work with your doctor to come up with a treatment plan to relieve pain. 

Wrist splints will often form part of your treatment or pain management plan. Wrist braces or supports for arthritis are designed to protect and support painful, swollen or weak joints and their surrounding structures. They help position your hand correctly to ensure you don’t move in a way that triggers pain or exacerbates symptoms.

Arthritis becomes more common as we age and can affect the hands and the wrists. It is a typical cause of wrist pain where there has been no injury or repetitive movement.

Choosing a specialised wrist brace or support that targets the unique symptoms of arthritis is key. If you’re experiencing arthritis symptoms in your wrist, it may feel very painful and difficult to move. Actimove’s Arthritis Care Wrist Support has four-way stretch for a comfortable fit with light compression for aching joints, helping with pain relief to your joint where it is needed. It is medically designed with special ceramic fibres to help you retain body heat, which brings soothing warmth to the affected wrist. This wrist support for arthritis can help promote blood circulation to the area, reducing swelling and promoting mobility. 

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