If you’re wondering whether or not you need a wrist brace, first determine what's causing the problem you have. For example, do you have pain, numbness or tingling in your hand or fingers? Have you overworked your hand?

If you answered "yes" to both questions then you’re probably thinking about carpal tunnel syndrome. But maybe you sprained your wrist. That could mean you have a simple wrist sprain or even tendinitis of the wrist. These are braced differently than for carpal tunnel syndrome.

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Getting the proper wrist brace for the exact condition you have is very important. Otherwise, you’re just wasting money and not solving the real underlying problem. Below are the 4 most common conditions which normally require a wrist brace as a first-line treatment.

Maybe you’ve simply overworked or sprained your wrist or hand over the weekend. Hyper-bending the wrist can do this. It results in strained tendons and ligaments. 

In this instance, an all-purpose wrist brace will work just fine. It will allow your hand to rest - which is what's needed. You can buy these at almost any pharmacy or department store. They usually cost $10-20. 

Look for one that supports the wrist in the neutral (flat) position by having a metal “stay” or “spine” on the palm side. Wear this type of wrist splint as needed ONLY to minimize painful movements until symptoms subside.

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Don’t just assume your hand pain is merely from being overworked. If your hand issues are due to repetitive stress then you may be looking at wrist tendonitis or even worse; carpal tunnel syndrome.

These occur when you make fast and forceful repetitive movements with your fingers and hand. Often, gripping tools for long periods of time will also create this condition.

Generally, pain is the most common symptom of repetitive stress. But numbness and tingling in the fingers and hand as well as weakness are also common signs of this conditions. 

When you consult with a doctor, he or she will give you a few pieces of advice. 

• First, the doctor will tell you if you have tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Sometimes, it's hard to tell the difference. 
• Second, the doctor will advise wearing a brace for tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. 
• Third, the doctor will show you which brace works best for you and your body type. 

The doctor may give you a prescription for a particular model of wrist brace. Generally, you should wear this brace sparingly during the day, especially when you overwork your hands. However, wear it continuously at night as you sleep until symptoms disappear.

A true carpal tunnel brace is a very specific design. In fact, it has all of the features of a brace for tendinitis as above, with one major exception.

A true carpal tunnel brace does NOT have a metal spine on the palm side. If it does, then it’s not a "certified" carpal tunnel wrist brace (even though the label may advertise it as such). Therefore, be careful; a metal spine on the palmar side will cause more damage to your wrist joint.

That’s because carpal tunnel syndrome is a problem of extreme pressure inside the wrist joint. At night, when you unconsciously bend your wrist, a metal spine at that point presses on the wrist joint. This further increases pressure inside. 

As a result, your carpal tunnel symptoms will be much worse in the morning. Over time, you may even develop severe carpal tunnel syndrome.

Alternatively, a certified carpal tunnel brace will have the spine somewhere else on the brace. The spine can be removed and re-positioned for a patient’s particular comfort and needs.

Also, you may need a wrist brace right after carpal tunnel surgery. The requirements are identical to certified carpal tunnel brace. Of course, just insure the brace does not irritate the surgical site.

Tendonitis is also called "wrist tenosynovitis" or "wrist tendonitis”. It's sometimes spelled “tendinitis”. It's when the tendons of the forearm are inflamed and become swollen. Therefore, it’s helpful to rest the wrist and hand with a wrist brace until symptoms subside. 

• First, choose a wrist brace that holds the hand in the neural position. 
• Second, make sure it has a metal stay (or spine) in the palm side of the splint (unlike for carpal tunnel). 
• Finally, make sure the brace covers at least half way up to the elbow. This helps prevents stresses on the wrist joint.

When you wear a wrist brace for hand pain you should consider the reason for that pain to begin with. If you have an ordinary problem like hand pain, wrist pain or wrist tendonitis, then most generic braces will work just fine. However, generic braces should never be used when treating carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition has very specific issues that most wrist support devices do not address.