If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best wrist splint for Carpal Tunnel, then I’d recommend the ComfyBrace Night Wrist Sleep Support Brace as the best one.
There are a number of ways to manage carpal tunnel.
One of the most common methods is a splint.
As not all of them are made the same, we researched features you should know about them as well as reviewing five top-rated products so you can find the best wrist splint for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment.
Here are the top wrist splints we’ll be reviewing:
- ComfyBrace Night Wrist Sleep Support Brace
- Futuro Night Wrist Sleep Support
- Mueller Green Fitted Wrist Brace
- Dr. Arthritis Carpal Tunnel Wrist Brace
- ComfyBrace-Premium Copper Lined Wrist Support
Wrist Splints and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – What You Should Know
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can interfere with your day-to-day activities and even your sleep.
A first step many sufferers may take when battling the condition is wearing a wrist splint.
So, let’s examine what carpal tunnel is, how a wrist splint helps, and what you should look for when choosing your splint.
What is Carpal Tunnel?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a sensation that occurs when the median nerve, located from the forearm running to the palm of your hand, becomes pressed against your wrist.
There are numerous of symptoms you may experience such as burning or numbness. Much of the symptoms are found in the palm or your hand or your fingers.
These problems can advance to the point that it may feel difficult to hold onto things or do other common tasks.
This is why it’s important to begin treating the problem as soon as you can to reduce the risk of experiencing permanent muscle loss.
Benefits of Wearing a Wrist Splint for Carpal Tunnel Treatment
Some research has shown that even those of you with severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome may see improvement in your condition by using a wrist splint.
You may notice your strength improving upon wearing a proper wrist splint, which can help you maintain a stable grip.
Other symptoms such as tingling and burning may begin to subside as well.
This is all due to the design of wrist splints. They are meant to reduce the pressure caused by that median nerve being compressed.
Splints also help hold the wrist in the right position to further increase the healing process.
Of course, any improvement depends on the type of splint you have and how often you actually use it.
Many professionals recommend a splint to be worn for full-time in order to see the most benefits. This means that the splint may be worn as often as you possibly can.
Types of Wrist Splints
To choose the best wrist splint for carpal tunnel, you first have to figure out the type you need.
Different splints manage the condition in different ways based on severity, when you need to wear it, and how often you need it.
You can always receive a customized splint from your health care provider.
However, if that’s beyond your scope or something you’re uninterested in pursuing, you can always purchase one.
There are three main types you may see while shopping: wrist support splint, standard carpal tunnel splint, and nighttime carpal tunnel splint.
Wrist Support Splint
This may be the most straightforward splint available that isn’t invasive. The sleeve or strap simply fits around the wrist.
This can provide you with more freedom of movement if you can’t have your mobility restricted in any way.
At the same time, this may not be ideal for those suffering from moderate to severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome as the support isn’t that plentiful.
It’s perhaps the most basic splint treatment.
Standard Carpal Tunnel Splint
With this type of splint, your wrist is held more into place. Your fingers and thumbs are free to move, but your wrist remains immobile.
Although it doesn’t provide as much freedom of movement as the common wrist support splints, you may still be able to do some day-to-day activities or work.
Nighttime Carpal Tunnel Splint
The nighttime splint is perhaps the most restricting out of all three splints.
This will usually extend more down the wrist than standard carpal tunnel splints.
In fact, the fingers and thumbs may be covered further as well.
Because of the limited movement available, these are worn according to their name: at night when you sleep.
Features to Consider
Once you understand how wrist splints work and what type you need, there are some more features you should focus on that will help you choose the right one.
Comfort
If your wrist splint is causing discomfort, it may not help ease your symptoms. Having a splint that actually fits correctly is one way to stay comfortable.
The straps should be high-quality in order to keep the splint where it needs to be without being too tight or too loose.
Also, consider the padding. The right amount may help reduce the chance of the splint causing chaffing or any other irritation against your skin.
It should contour to your hand as well for a better fit.
Breathability is important to comfort too as it minimizes the risk of you sweating inside the splint.
Fit
On the notion of having a wrist splint that sits in the correct position, you should take measurements of your wrist and hand.
This way, you may better determine what size you actually need.
Whatever you choose, movement should be restricted without completely constricting your wrist and hand.
On the other side of it, if there is any wiggle room for your wrist, then the splint should be tighter or you should consider a smaller size.
Mobility
How much mobility you need is more of a personal preference.
However, only the nighttime wrist splints should completely render you immobile as you don’t need to use your hands in your sleep.
Other wrist splints should offer some minor mobility, mainly in your fingers and thumb, if you plan to wear it during the day.
Best Wrist Splint for Carpal Tunnel – Top 5 Reviewed
ComfyBrace Night Wrist Sleep Support Brace
The ComfyBrace Night Wrist Sleep Support Brace combines comfort and support with its soft cushioned beads.
This may be the best wrist splint for carpal tunnel for nighttime use as it features a metal splint to help along with the beads to keep your wrist in a neutral position.
The padding and soft-feeling material may keep you from feeling irritation with the metal, and you can even remove it if desired.
There is little weight to this wrist splint so you may not feel overwhelmed wearing it.
However, it might be too bulky and large for some of you with smaller hands and wrists to wear.
Even so, this is meant to support a range of people as it has an ergonomic, ambidextrous design.
Beyond being able to easily slip it on, you can customize the fit thanks to the adjustable Velcro closure system.
You may have some difficulties getting the Velcro to stick at times, but when you have managed to fit the brace appropriately, it hugs your wrist and hand to offer you greater security.
Even with the reliable fit, the material still provides breathability as it won’t hold in any moisture.
Pros
- Breathable material
- Comfortable padding
- Easy to customize the fit
Cons
- Velcro may not always stick
- May be too big
Futuro Night Wrist Sleep Support
The Futuro Night Wrist Sleep Support is another quality brace to throw on before you go to sleep.
It has a user-friendly sleeve design to make it fast and easy to slip on.
The design of this splint also allows you to wear it on either your left or right wrist with no difficulties.
Its design leads itself to having a customizable fit. You can secure it as tightly or loose as you need it for your hand using the Velcro tabs.
There’s some questionable longevity with this wrist splint though as the Velcro seems thin and narrow. It may wear out after awhile of frequent use.
There may be a good amount of comfort though with this splint. The cushioning beads can both help support you and have your wrist and hand feel more at ease.
Also, the padding in the palm does well at preventing your hand from painfully flexing in your sleep.
If any discomfort may arise, it might have to do with the material itself. It doesn’t appear to be that breathable, so the wrist splint may get a little warm.
Pros
- Plush cushioning
- User-friendly design
- Keeps your hand from flexing
Cons
- Not that breathable
- Velcro seems too thin
Mueller Green Fitted Wrist Brace
The Mueller Green Fitted Wrist Brace allows you to keep up with your work or daily activities.
It is rather lightweight and easy enough to slip on by yourself.
For those of you with larger hands, you might struggle with fitting through the opening without bending your hand though.
Once you have it on, the wrist splint appears to fit snug and performs well at stabilizing your wrist without completely taking away your mobility.
You can also readily adjust it using a hoop and loop closure. This not only gives you a custom fit, but it also allows you to control the amount of compression.
Something to be aware of is that it may be tight for some of you around the thumb.
For more contoured support, the splint features a padded metal spoon at the bottom side of the wrist.
There is also supportive stay at the top side of the wrist to make the splint more rigid.
The fabric itself is soft and breathable so you may wear it all day. This fabric aims to protect your skin from the Velcro rubbing up against it.
As long as you keep it properly aligned, all you may feel is the comfortable fabric rather than the rough closure system.
Pros
- Generally simple to adjust
- Lightweight design
- Extra fabric to stop Velcro from rubbing
Cons
- Opening could be wider
- Might be tight around the thumb
Dr. Arthritis Carpal Tunnel Wrist Brace
Developed by medical doctors, the Dr. Arthritis Carpal Tunnel Wrist Brace uses a secure strap system to help keep the splint in place as well as maintaining a neutral position for your wrist.
The metal splint inside does well at providing support, but it also may slip out from time-to-time. You might have to frequently readjust and slip it back in.
As it does well at keeping your wrist and hand stable, it may be best worn at night since your mobility might be hindered. It’s an affordable way to stop yourself from over-flexing.
Available in either right hand or left hand designs, you can adjust it a number of ways.
Although this allows various people to use it, those of you who have larger hands might feel it’s a bit tight.
There may be a good amount of comfort found in wearing this wrist splint though thanks to the soft cushioned beads.
The material shouldn’t irritate your skin either. There’s also some ideal breathability found in the material too.
Pros
- Doesn’t irritate your skin
- Good adjustability
- Soft cushioned beads
Cons
- Not good for larger hands
- Metal splint may slide out
ComfyBrace-Premium Copper Lined Wrist Support
The ComfyBrace-Premium Copper Lined Wrist Support may address your carpal tunnel symptoms without taking away your mobility.
This wrist splint offers the needed flexibility so you can carry on with your day and your job.
At the same time, it balances well with the support given so that you don’t over-extend your wrist and hand.
You may be able to wear this at night as well depending on your preference and personal symptoms. Even though you can perform activities, the wrist remains stabilized.
It’s ergonomic, which may help you put it on and wear it easier. This is designed for everyone to wear, so it features an adjustable strap that’s quick to use.
You can fit this on your left or right wrist as well. There may be some tightness around the thumb hole though.
The stitching seems well made so that it may last you a long time. Even the Velcro appears reliable under frequent use as the adhesion appears sturdy.
Although the fabric is intended to offer breathability, the wrist splint may still get warm after extended wearing.
Pros
- Good mix of stabilization and flexibility
- Reliable stitching
- Simple and easy to use
Cons
- Can get warm
- Tight thumb hole
Final Thoughts
Carpal tunnel is an unfortunate condition that can get in the way of your job, day-to-day activities, and even your exercise routine.
The best wrist splint for carpal tunnel may help ease those symptoms so you can carry on about your day and night.
We feel the right splint for the job is the ComfyBrace Night Wrist Sleep Support Brace.
Its ergonomic design helps it fit various people, and it also makes it more comfortable to sleep in.
The material breathes well so you won’t get hot and sweaty. Even the material and padding is soft as to not irritate you.
The metal seems to stay in place, keeping your wrist in a neutral position all night.
You can even customize the fit accordingly and wear it on your left or right wrist.
