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Wearing a brace is one of the best non-surgical ways to deal with carpal tunnel syndrome (wizard wrist).

Wearing a brace is one of the best non-surgical ways to deal with the numbness and tingling that come along with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Think of them as protective bracers that protect your wrist from the numbness and tingling that comes on from moving the wrist into painful or aggravating positions. (Not sure if you have carpal tunnel syndrome? Read this.)

Consider these important tips when choosing a wrist brace for carpal tunnel syndrome:

Get a neutral splint that is removable.

A removable splint makes things easier to wash and can also reduce support when more mobility is needed.

The whole point of wearing a brace is that it keeps your wrist in a neutral position which keeps your wrist from flexing or extending. We also recommend getting something with a removable splint, as this makes washing the brace much easier. It also allows you to increase mobility at the cost of less support. As your symptoms improve, this may be a good way to transition or wean off using the brace.

Get a brace combination that allows you to wear a brace at night and during the day.

In general, the worse the symptoms, the more you should wear the brace. Studies have also shown that wearing the brace all day has better outcomes than just wearing it at night or just wearing it during the day. But before you make your decisions, ask yourself these questions:

Do you need to perform work tasks using a brace? Get a brace that allows you enough mobility to perform your workplace tasks while still keeping the wrist in neutral. You may need a less restrictive brace or one with more durable fabric or support depending on the job that you are performing.
Will you be comfortable wearing the same brace at night, or do you need a different one? Night braces are typically made from softer material and have extra padding for comfort. They tend to have less mobility, but you are sleeping and taking a long rest—you shouldn’t need that mobility. Depending what you need for work, the same brace may be uncomfortable to wear at night, making getting to sleep difficult. Choose whatever brace allows you to wear it for the entire sleep duration.

The Comfy Night Brace is a great choice for a comfortable night splint with removable support.

The ComfyBrace Night Brace has a removable splint for easy cleaning but is pretty heavy on the support. A good choice if you need full stability of the wrist.

Some studies have showed benefit to splinting the 3rd and 4th finger in relieving pain. The aPallo night brace does this. While I wouldn’t say this isn’t necessary, if you are having high symptoms, you may want to get this feature for your night brace.

The Mueller Green Brace is an all-around great brace for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Mueller Green Brace is a great daytime brace that we recommend highly. This brace works well for most people.

Get only as much support as needed.

You should only use as much support as you need to relieve your symptoms. Typically more sensitive and painful symptoms require more supportive braces. As your symptoms improve, you should switch to a less supportive brace to allow for mobility for your daily tasks, eventually weaning from the brace once symptoms go away. These are good examples of supportive braces.

The Futuro Wrist Stabilizer is heavy support for heavy symptoms.

The Futuro Wrist Stabilizer has a removable splint for easy cleaning but is pretty heavy on the support. A good choice if you need full stability of the wrist due to other wrist conditions you may have in addition to wizard wrist (Like Eldritch Elbow).

Get the proper size brace.

Typically, wrist braces measure either around the wrist or around the knuckles when determining sizing. Double check on the packaging or details which measurement method to use when purchasing the brace.

The Wellgate Woman Brace may work better for those who have smaller wrists.

Also make sure that you check if the brace is right handed, left handed or universal. Universal braces can be switched to be worn on either hand, but the right and left handed wrist braces only work properly on one side. Double check this before purchasing, because nothing is worse than opening a new brace only to find out it is for the wrong hand.

If you want a more comprehensive review on several carpal tunnel braces and which one will be best for you, check out this video below:

Conclusion

I hope this helps you find the right brace for you! Everyone has different needs, and it can be daunting to sift through all of the options out there. If you still need help finding a brace or just need some guidance with dealing with your pain or injury…don’t hesitate to contact us here.

The Wrist Wizards are licensed doctors of physical therapy who specialize in treatment of the upper quarter: wrist, hands, elbows, shoulders and spine! We get you back to casting spells, swashbuckling or just doing what you love in a fun, structured and science based approach. The only magic here is how fast you’ll get better. Make an appointment to speak to one of us here!

The Best Wrist Braces for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Wizard Wrist)