Published on Mar 15, 2017 and last reviewed on Sep 16, 2022 - 6 min read
Abstract
You might use wrist braces if you suffer from a wrist injury or protect yourself during heavy use. This article tells you how to clean wrist braces.
People take every precaution to protect their heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, eyes, ears, mouth, etc. Wrists are one part of our body that we forget, until it starts hurting. We take care of our hands. But our hands are useless if our wrists are not functioning. Once the wrists start giving trouble, people realize the importance of their wrists. Most of the time when we realize the importance, the damage is already done.
There are eight carpal bones in each hand. The bones are in two rows. These two rows form the bottom of the carpal tunnel. Ligament is a very sturdy tissue which covers the top of the carpal tunnel. All the eight carpal bones are connected to the one next to it with tiny ligament. The base of the palm where the forearm and hand get connected is the carpal tunnel. Nerves and tendons pass through this tunnel. The blood supply to the hand goes through this tunnel. The tendons which help us to move our fingers run through this tunnel. These connect the muscles of the forearm to the fingers. The tendons are covered with a greasy fibrous tissue named synovium. Synovium swells when the wrists suffer damage.
The wrist braces are one easy solution to your tired wrists which suffer. A wrist brace (or splint) helps you keep your wrist firm and still being able to move without restrain. It also helps to reduce the pressure on the median nerve. Furthermore, the wrist braces give comfort to the pain which makes the movements difficult. The wrist brace is a short term remedy for carpal tunnel syndrome. Long term use of wrist braces may weaken the wrist muscles. You can avoid this by exercising your wrist muscles after using wrist braces. It is always good to remember that wrist brace is not a replacement for the missing ergonomics at your work place.
A good, wrist brace will put you at ease, last a long time, and easy to put on and remove and also easily washable. Also, it must help to hold the wrist in a neutral position and also confine to comfortable wrist movements while restricting difficult hand movements.
Wrist braces can be easily bought at the drug store or pharmacy without a prescription. Sometimes the wrist braces are custom made for each person. This allows you to get wrist braces made for you with lightweight materials. This makes wearing a wrist brace more comfortable and less clumsy. To get a custom made wrist brace, an order will have to be placed through your physical or occupational therapist.
There are different types and sizes of wrist braces available now, as per your need. The type of braces needed will depend on which structures are damaged in your wrists.
Wrist braces provide you the remedy for very uncomfortable wrist conditions. But maintaining the wrist braces may worsen hygiene conditions much worse than your wrist condition if one is not careful. Therefore, always be aware that keeping your wrist braces in a clean state is always advised.You need to consult a therapist after using the wrist braces for the prescribed time. Wrist braces may not be the remedy for all wrist ailments. Therefore, sometimes if the pain has not healed, the therapist may recommend a surgery.
It is not advisable to wash the wrist braces in the washing machine as it can damage the shape of the wrist braces. Hand washing, in warm water, with soap or shampoo, is recommended.
After a few days of using the wrist braces, it produces a bad odor because the braces increase body temperature in that region and cause an accumulation of moisture. Over time, this leads to a bad smell.
Doctors recommend wearing wrist braces for at least four to eight weeks or until the symptoms resolve. Also, wearing wrist braces at night will help in mitigating the swelling and pressure on the nerve.
Wrist braces keep the wrist in a straight and actual position, thereby alleviating wrist discomfort and pain. Also, the movements will be restricted, which is helpful for conditions like arthritis and tendonitis.
The bad smell from the wrist braces can be removed by regular washing with lukewarm water and mild soap. Using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar will also help to control odors and clean them effectively.
Excessive sweating may occur in some people due to underlying health conditions or as a side effect of certain drugs. When sweat mixes with skin bacteria, a vinegar-like smell can be detected.
Wearing wrist braces at night helps to avoid unwanted movements and hence keeps the wrist calm to avoid sudden pain and provides sound sleep. It also helps to reduce swelling when used at night.
A wrist brace helps lessen pain or prevents accidental injury. However, if used long-term, it decreases the strength of the injured ligaments and tendons and degenerates the muscles that control the wrist, leading to reduced circulation to that area.
Wrist braces should be worn continuously for at least 4 to 8 weeks or until the symptoms are gone. Wearing the wrist brace is recommended at night to decrease swelling and reduce the pressure on the nerve during the initial days.
The wrist brace should be firm enough to provide the required support and comfort. But it should not be too tight, as that cuts off circulation and causes more discomfort.
In cases of a sprained wrist, a removable wrist brace is advised to support the wrist. This should be worn for 1 to 2 weeks to let the tendons and ligaments heal completely.
Last reviewed at:
16 Sep 2022 - 6 min read
RATING
Physiotherapy
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