If you’re using a wrist brace to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, it must provide comfort yet be tight enough to offer support and stability. Loosen or remove your wrist brace if you experience loss of circulation, numbness, or tingling. The length of time to wear a wrist brace depends entirely on the reason you are wearing the brace. If you are wearing your wrist support or brace for rest and protection of healing ligaments, alleviation of pain associated with ganglion cysts, or fractures, it is often recommended to wear the brace as much as possible for most of the day, Dr. Halim says. Breathability. If your hands are prone to swelling, trapping them in a material that retains heat will only make your swelling worse. When selecting a wrist brace, you want to look for something with firm support that allows full range of motion without cutting off your circulation, Dr. Sforzo says. It also should be adjustable so you can loosen it when needed. The general rule of thumb is that you should be able to get one to two fingers under each strap, Auliff says. Most braces are made from neoprene, nylon, cotton, or a combination of these materials. There’s no single material that’s best for wrist braces, but there are some things to consider Swain notes:

Learn about tendonitis of the wrist. Are you experiencing stiffness, strain, and pain in your wrist? It could be caused by tendonitis. This article… READ MORE Wrist braces help keep the joint in a neutral position. They can help ease pain from wrist injuries or conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or arthritis. Made of breathable materials free of latex and neoprene, the Mueller Carpal Tunnel Wrist Stabilizer features a removable metal spoon and padded side splints for comfort and support. The brace strengthens and stabilizes your wrist so you can go about your everyday activities comfortably. Gloves like the Copper Compression Arthritis Gloves offer a different kind of carpal tunnel support. Instead of immobilizing the joint, they compress it to reduce pain and inflammation by increasing circulation. This particular model takes it a step further with copper-infused compression fabric. Copper is thought to possess anti-inflammatory properties that may enhance recovery. While much research is still needed to confirm this benefit, many users have reported positive outcomes. While the gloves aren’t technically adjustable, their stretchy construction allows them to adapt to various hand sizes. They did a good job of keeping hands from twisting or turning (i.e., preventing movements that can aggravate carpal tunnel symptoms), but the downside is that these gloves overheat easily. The gloves aren’t very breathable, so wearing these at night may feel like sleeping with normal gloves on.M Brace states it manufactures the wrist brace in the United States. The product is latex-free and contains foam pads. The company says the wrist brace is suitable for use during the day or night. The Wellgate PerfectFit Wrist Support offers a slender profile that is perfect for people who have smaller bone structure. Designed to relieve pain from carpal tunnel, arthritis, and minor strains or sprains, this wrist brace is both lightweight and breathable. The memory foam interior provides cushy comfort. Neo G states this product is suitable for children who have injuries such as sprains and strains. The product may also be suitable for children who need extra wrist support while playing sports. Regardless of how often you plan to wear the brace, the materials should be durable to withstand the wear and tear of activities. Our hands take on more impact than we realize, so having a brace constructed with quality materials is critical. The fabric should have enough give that it can stretch (when needed) without ripping or tearing. Stitching should be tight and even, without any loose threads. This OTC Professional Orthopaedic Low-Profile Wrist Brace keeps your wrist in a neutral position during repetitive tasks like typing. It offers medium support and allows a wide range of finger and hand movements and reduces pressure on painful areas. The lightweight, adjustable design features open sides to enhance breathability.

Andrea Halim, MD, MBA, and orthopedic surgeon and assistant professor with Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Hand Surgery at Yale Medicine This product is suitable for children up to 12 years of age. It is available in one size only, and people can choose between a left- and right-hand brace. The Wellgate PerfectFit Wrist Brace is often marked down to astonishingly low sales prices, but even when it’s full-priced, our testing showed it is still a good quality brace that’s both comfortable and effective.We chose this as the best for tendonitis because of its supportive design. The lightweight, stretchy material allows you to move normally and has a discrete appearance. If you're not a fan of big, bulky wrist braces, then this one is a great choice for you. What We Like Keep in mind, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before wearing a wrist brace for an extended period of time. Not only is it important to get a proper diagnosis, but there are some medical conditions that will not benefit from using a wrist brace. Likewise, there may be instances where a custom brace is needed. In these situations, a hand therapist will develop the brace and mold it to your hand and wrist. Braces are often one of the first lines of defense for reducing pressure on your median nerve. When used consistently for several weeks, braces can significantly reduce the pain and numbness of CTS. Comfort