Wrist braces

righthandman

Hello there folks.
I have been signed off work now for nearly four weeks following a right wrist arthroscopy. My wrist and thumb knuckle feel tender and sore, click constantly and continuously ache but I am able to use them, albeit uncomfortably. I have been bracing them up using a NHS issue flesh colured brace but find that these don't really give enough support . I was wondering if anybody would know where to get hold of a more robust brace, preferably made of leather that can be really tightened up to the point of not allowing movement.
I have to return to work this week and I do a manual job which requires lots of digging and gripping. Really not looking forward to it.
Can't wait to talk to hand consultant to see exactly what problem is and if any thing can be done but I have to wait until the 28th for that so in the meantime Its painkillers and brandy!
Thanks.

dorcas

Hi right handman and welcome to the forum

I've had wrist and hand probs...both hands...for years and used the 'neutral' coloured splints you describe, from nhs. does your splint have a thumb support and wrist support?

I've also had specially made moulded splints from OT...called resting splints ...for night time use. they totally immobilise the wrist and are effective in relieving pain but are not intended for using during the day; they are longer than the brown ones and the half 'slab' is made of rigid plastic/ polymer.

i think you really need to ask for an OT or hand therapy appointment to see if they can suggest/ provide something more suitable.

however...maybe you need to be asking yourself whether you are really fit for work just now? bottom line might be that this heavy manual work is too punishing at the moment if you can't do it without causing pain in your wrists?

please take care not to do damage. perhaps you need to speak to your doc to see if you maybe need further time off until you've had results from the arthroscopy/ investigations and advice?

what type of arther do you have & what meds are you on? getting the right meds is crucial in controlling arther.

I've had one wrist fused and a total wrist replacement three weeks ago for the other wrist so I know how painful it all is and how important the right advice & support is in maintaining wrist strength.

let us know how you get on please.

Irisx

speedalong

Hi Righthand man,

well I have nothing to add to Dorcas' post. Just wanted to say hi and welcome.

Does your consultant know you do hard manual work? When did he say you could return to work? Surely not just yet?

Speedy

frogmorton

Me too Speedy and just being nosey

We'll let theses wrsity people get on with it eh?!

Like the idea of the Brandy though - esp if it's martell??

Love

Toni xx

Bet you dont have to wear teds though.....

skezier

Hi Right Hand man,

I have duff wrists so found this interesting. I hope they will get it sorted for you and I can't help as I don't have any supports as my Rumo said I would find work very hard wearing them. I sometimes think OT are my answer and well shall keep and eye and see how it pans out for you. Nice to meet you. Cris x

kerrycc

Hello

I had major pain in my right wrist years ago before I had to have it fused, my bone crumbled before they found out what was wrong me with me so you can imagine the pain I was in. I used the ones from the hosp, the ones with the metal splint. I found it brilliant although I didnt use it as they told me to. I couldn't cope with the pain so I used to get my husband to pull the straps really tight, they were the only thing that made me get through the day so my advise it, pull it as tight as you can - it worked for me. Hope you find some relief xx

lavenderlady

I use a blue wrist support made of a type of rubbery material very very comfortable it has a metal flat support inside all can be washed its got LP on it and I got it from a sports shop,
I had a left wrist arthroscopy last month and it has helped a lot if I need further support or to stop it sweating on hot days I put a cotton elastic wrist support under neath, I'm waiting to go in for a TWR and know this support will be of great use afterwards , good luck in finding a decent support I found the NHS ones made my thumb base rub,

righthandman

dorcas wrote:

Hi right handman and welcome to the forum

I've had wrist and hand probs...both hands...for years and used the 'neutral' coloured splints you describe, from nhs. does your splint have a thumb support and wrist support?

I've also had specially made moulded splints from OT...called resting splints ...for night time use. they totally immobilise the wrist and are effective in relieving pain but are not intended for using during the day; they are longer than the brown ones and the half 'slab' is made of rigid plastic/ polymer.

i think you really need to ask for an OT or hand therapy appointment to see if they can suggest/ provide something more suitable.

however...maybe you need to be asking yourself whether you are really fit for work just now? bottom line might be that this heavy manual work is too punishing at the moment if you can't do it without causing pain in your wrists?

please take care not to do damage. perhaps you need to speak to your doc to see if you maybe need further time off until you've had results from the arthroscopy/ investigations and advice?

what type of arther do you have & what meds are you on? getting the right meds is crucial in controlling arther.

I've had one wrist fused and a total wrist replacement three weeks ago for the other wrist so I know how painful it all is and how important the right advice & support is in maintaining wrist strength.

let us know how you get on please.

Irisx

Thanks for the advice.
The frustration is that I don't know exactly what is wrong with my hand. I have to wait another three weeks to see the consultant to discuss the results of the arthroscopy. My x-rays showed nothing ab-normal so it may be a tendon/ligament issue.I take cod liver oil, glucosamine/chondroitin 1000mg, collagen tablets,dicoflex 50 mg, and co-codaol 500mg.
Regarding work, my job is far from ideal for a painful hand but whether I use my hand or sit still all day in a chair, I get the same persistent ache.
Ultimately though I know I need to change my job but I have done manual for 15 years and love the work but realise that all good things come to an end.
I have started using a leather belt as well as the wrist brace which gives extra support and no the brace I use doesn't have a thumb support.
Has having a wrist fusion eliminated most of the pain in your wrist?
What's it like having a fusion?
Thanks.

dorcas

Hi righthandman

you'll see from the responses to your post that there are other wrist supports around and even the good old nhs has others that OT could suggest....the one which has an additional thumb support with inbuilt metal brace is good and might give you some relief.

I'm sorry you're having such a lot of pain...three weeks until you get the arthroscopy results must seem like an eternity.... but meantime your doc should be able to help with better pain meds and perhaps anti inflammatories would help?

I had my left wrist fusion a year ago and I would definitely recommend this op; it dramatically reduced the pain I had and the arm/ wrist is now very strong .
I do have other problems with that hand needing more surgery....but not as a result of the fusion!

the drawback of wrist fusion is that you have absolutely no wrist movement ...the metal plate is fixed in place and attached to the radius at one end and to the carpals at the other by screws/ fixings and strengthened by bone grafts taken from the top of the pelvis.
so in effect it's as though the radius is extended down into the hand.(not describing this very well, sorry!)

I had no movement in the wrist anyway pre op as the bones had collapsed and the wrist had moved sideways, so as far as I was concerned it was a real bonus to have gained use of that hand and for it to be straight again and be pain free there....

I do hope you can get some relief from your pain but do be careful until you actually get a diagnosis.

I find heat is very soothing and pain relieving and have a hot wax hand therapy unit at home...it's easy to use and not too expensive to buy..well worth considering.

Iris x

righthandman

dorcas wrote:

Hi righthandman

you'll see from the responses to your post that there are other wrist supports around and even the good old nhs has others that OT could suggest....the one which has an additional thumb support with inbuilt metal brace is good and might give you some relief.

I'm sorry you're having such a lot of pain...three weeks until you get the arthroscopy results must seem like an eternity.... but meantime your doc should be able to help with better pain meds and perhaps anti inflammatories would help?

I had my left wrist fusion a year ago and I would definitely recommend this op; it dramatically reduced the pain I had and the arm/ wrist is now very strong .
I do have other problems with that hand needing more surgery....but not as a result of the fusion!

the drawback of wrist fusion is that you have absolutely no wrist movement ...the metal plate is fixed in place and attached to the radius at one end and to the carpals at the other by screws/ fixings and strengthened by bone grafts taken from the top of the pelvis.
so in effect it's as though the radius is extended down into the hand.(not describing this very well, sorry!)

I had no movement in the wrist anyway pre op as the bones had collapsed and the wrist had moved sideways, so as far as I was concerned it was a real bonus to have gained use of that hand and for it to be straight again and be pain free there....

I do hope you can get some relief from your pain but do be careful until you actually get a diagnosis.

I find heat is very soothing and pain relieving and have a hot wax hand therapy unit at home...it's easy to use and not too expensive to buy..well worth considering.

Iris x

Glad that the wrist fusion op has helped you so much, it must be such a wonderful thing not to be in pain after such a long time.
As mentioned I don't actually know the problem with my hand and wrist and I dont like the idea of major surgery at my age but If it releives the aching and pain I guess its a no brainer.
Thanks, Ralph.

kerrycc

righthandman wrote:

dorcas wrote:

Hi right handman and welcome to the forum

I've had wrist and hand probs...both hands...for years and used the 'neutral' coloured splints you describe, from nhs. does your splint have a thumb support and wrist support?

I've also had specially made moulded splints from OT...called resting splints ...for night time use. they totally immobilise the wrist and are effective in relieving pain but are not intended for using during the day; they are longer than the brown ones and the half 'slab' is made of rigid plastic/ polymer.

i think you really need to ask for an OT or hand therapy appointment to see if they can suggest/ provide something more suitable.

however...maybe you need to be asking yourself whether you are really fit for work just now? bottom line might be that this heavy manual work is too punishing at the moment if you can't do it without causing pain in your wrists?

please take care not to do damage. perhaps you need to speak to your doc to see if you maybe need further time off until you've had results from the arthroscopy/ investigations and advice?

what type of arther do you have & what meds are you on? getting the right meds is crucial in controlling arther.

I've had one wrist fused and a total wrist replacement three weeks ago for the other wrist so I know how painful it all is and how important the right advice & support is in maintaining wrist strength.

let us know how you get on please.

Irisx

Thanks for the advice.
The frustration is that I don't know exactly what is wrong with my hand. I have to wait another three weeks to see the consultant to discuss the results of the arthroscopy. My x-rays showed nothing ab-normal so it may be a tendon/ligament issue.I take cod liver oil, glucosamine/chondroitin 1000mg, collagen tablets,dicoflex 50 mg, and co-codaol 500mg.
Regarding work, my job is far from ideal for a painful hand but whether I use my hand or sit still all day in a chair, I get the same persistent ache.
Ultimately though I know I need to change my job but I have done manual for 15 years and love the work but realise that all good things come to an end.
I have started using a leather belt as well as the wrist brace which gives extra support and no the brace I use doesn't have a thumb support.
Has having a wrist fusion eliminated most of the pain in your wrist?
What's it like having a fusion?
Thanks.

Hi again, I had my wrist fused 11 years ago and have not felt any pain in it at all since. Unfortunately my other wrist is now causing me problems but i'd have the op done again in a heartbeat