Wrist & Hand Splints - Carpal Tunnel Splints, Cock-Up Splints

If the wrist splint is prescribed or recommended by a doctor, adhere to their advice in terms of duration and when it is appropriate to take it on and off. However, wrist splints are common orthopedic supplies and do not always require consulting a doctor. For instance, if you experience general hand pain because of strained ligaments or tendons, wear a wrist brace only to minimize painful movements. If your wrist pain is caused by repetitive motion stress, you likely suffer from tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. In this case, you should wear the splint sparingly throughout the day but all the time at night until your symptoms disappear. As a general rule, never wear splinting supplies when they are no longer needed.

Nighttime is actually when wrist splints are most highly recommended, especially for carpal tunnel syndrome, as pain tends to get worse at night. Each condition and patient, however, has individual requirements. If your wrist pain is only aggravated by certain activities, wear the wrist splint then, and not necessarily overnight. When in doubt, it is best you ask the doctor or pharmacist.

A cock up wrist splint helps stabilize the wrist while also alleviating swelling and stiffness associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. It does so by providing the painful wrist with even compression and support. It includes one or two rigid splints that support the hand at 30 degrees and adjusts easily to ensure a comfortable fit.

The way wrist splints work to support carpal tunnel syndrome is by stabilizing the wrist in a slightly bent position, minimizing pressure on the median nerve and thus reducing the associated pain, especially during sleep. Keep in mind that you should wear a carpal tunnel wrist splint only short-term, otherwise your muscles could actually weaken. To make sure the hand splint you have is suitable for your condition, check to see where the splint is positioned. If there is a metal spine on the palm side, then it is intended for tendinitis only, not carpal tunnel!

Most wrist and hand splints can be hand-washed in warm soapy water. Remove the rigid splint before washing the fabric and make sure the water is not excessively hot. However tempting it may be, you should avoid putting it in the washing machine unless the manufacturer, mentions it is safe, because it is likely to change shape in the process. Let it air dry completely before using it again and keep it away from water during your daily wear.

AllegroMedical.com carries a wide selection of splints and supports for hands and wrists. Besides the fairly common wrist splints for carpal tunnel syndrome, such as neoprene or cock-up wrist splints that keep the wrist in a neutral position, there are also several specialized designs that doctors and therapists need in their practice. For instance, the ulnar gutter wrist splint controls ulnar deviation, the dorsal blocking splint is meant for use after flexor tendon repair, and the boxer fracture prefab orthosis is an efficient immobilizer for metatarsal fractures. Another less common hand splint is the one designed for use with walkers. It helps maintain proper wrist alignment of a "weak" hand on a walker and distributes weight to the appropriate parts of the hand. Antispasticity ball splints prevent hand flexion and maintain hand arches in patients with certain neurological disorders, hemiplegia, or even coma.

Wrist braces tend to be more flexible than wrist splints. While wrist braces protect against further injury, splints restrict motion and offer additional support to minimize pressure on nerves and accelerate healing.