Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with a Tunnel Brace

Clayton Alexander, M.D., a Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon in The Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Center at Mercy, responded to questions from Health magazine online regarding the use of a tunnel brace for carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel occurs when repetitive wrist motion leads to inflammation and swelling of the flexor tendons of the fingers at the wrist. This swelling causes narrowing of the carpal tunnel, the space in which these tendons and the median nerve enter the hand, resulting in compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Wrist splints and braces help treat carpal tunnel by immobilizing the wrist to remove pressure on the median nerve.

Who would benefit from using a carpal tunnel brace?

A carpal tunnel brace is the same as a wrist brace, and has many other uses besides carpal tunnel despite the name. It keeps the wrist in a neutral position that decreases the compression on the nerve that causes carpal tunnel syndrome. It is best to wear it every night as it usually interferes with activity during the day, and most people with carpal tunnel syndrome have symptoms predominantly at night. Anyone with carpal tunnel might benefit from this brace, although it does not always work.

Who should avoid using the brace?

There is really no downside to wearing a carpal tunnel brace every night while you sleep. If you do not have carpal tunnel syndrome however, it is not likely to serve any benefit for you.

What are the safety concerns of using a carpal tunnel brace?

There are no safety concerns with wearing a brace to sleep at night. If wearing the brace during the day, I would not recommend wearing it while driving as it may interfere with dexterity in avoiding an accident. 

Dr. Clayton Alexander specializes in the repair and reconstruction of injuries to the elbow, wrist, hand and fingers. He also treats patients for conditions and injuries of the elbow, upper arm and shoulder. Recognized by his peers for excellence in his field, Dr. Alexander has been named a "Top Doctor" by Baltimore magazine in the Orthopedic Surgery (Hand) category.