Under most circumstances, resting splints should be worn overnight while you sleep. Your doctor may recommend that you wear your splint sparingly during the day if you’re experiencing flare-ups or have painful joints. Make sure you only wear it as recommended by your doctor. If you wear one for too long or too frequently, your wrist joint will stiffen up and the supporting muscles will weaken due to you not using them.
Splints that fit poorly won’t provide the right support and often lead to skin irritation and joint discomfort. Don’t wear a splint designed for someone else—it may do more harm than good.
It’s much easier to bend your wrist awkwardly (in ways that constrict the carpal tunnel in your wrist) for long periods during the night. This is often the primary contributor to CTS, even if you might assume it’s mostly due to working at a keyboard every day.
Don’t wear a resting splint all night and a working splint all day unless specifically advised to do so by your doctor, and do it only for as long as advised. Otherwise, you may cause further joint stiffness and muscle weakness. Always follow your doctor’s or physical therapist’s advice so that you heal well. This will help prevent muscle weakness.
At least consider buying a splint in-person at a medical supply store with employees who are willing and able to help you find the best off-the-shelf model for your needs. Some working splints have a flat metal insert that runs from the base of the palm up past the wrist. These can be bent by hand to fit the contours of your wrist more comfortably. A working splint will stabilize the joints in your hands and wrists.
If your doctor advises you to wear it daily for a month, ask about whether and how often you should remove it to loosen up your wrist joints and work the muscles. If you’re advised to wear it when doing activities that put strain on your wrist—yard work, moving furniture, etc. —only wear it during those times.
Even if your wrist feels better, it still may be healing and susceptible to re-injury or re-aggravation. Wrist splints do come in many styles and colors if aesthetics are important to you.
If you get 2 working splints, it’s best to get the exact same model with the exact same fit. You might be able to find different colors to coordinate with your wardrobe, though!
This is one reason why custom fitting is a good idea. That way, you know the splint will fit well in all the major contact points.
Virtually every model of wrist splint uses multiple Velcro (or similar hook-and-loop closure) straps to stay in place. It will have an attachment strip on the body of the splint, which should be made of elastic, neoprene, or synthetic rubber. Make the Velcro straps tight, but not uncomfortably so. If your fingers tingle or lose their normal color, the straps are definitely too tight. Ask a medical professional for a demonstration on putting the splint on.
This is only general advice—follow your doctor’s instructions on how and how often to perform such checks, if at all. If you notice irritation, stiffness, or weakness, contact your doctor about possibly switching splints or altering when you wear one. It’s important to keep your wrist as dry as possible, since moisture, including sweat, can cause blisters or skin damage. You may notice that your skin rubs off if you sweat often.
