Best Wrist Braces For Older Adults: What To Know (2024)

Updated: Apr 23, 2024, 10:54am

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Wrist braces are typically used by older adults to manage specific painful conditions, such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, a sprain or tendonitis, says Michael Fredericson, M.D., a sports medicine physiatrist in Palo Alto, California.

How a Wrist Brace Can Help With Pain

A wrist brace helps stabilize the wrist and reduces irritating movements, which can alleviate pain for certain conditions, according to Dr. Fredericson. “Exactly how wrist braces help is really dependent on the type of condition we’re treating,” he explains. “If you have tendonitis, you’ll have a more flexible brace; if you have a fracture, you’ll want a more rigid brace.”

If you have a problem with your thumb—and a lot of people with arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome do—certain wrist braces can target specific pain points, he adds.

The three most common styles of wrist braces include wraps, sleeves and compression products.

Wraps

Wrap wrist bands are designed to keep the wrist from flexing back and forth. They can be used for conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, according to Dr. Fredericson. Some people like to use wrap wrist braces for working out, too, “but we typically don’t prescribe it for that,” says Dr. Fredericson.

Sleeves

A sleeve wrist brace usually comes with support for the thumb, which is helpful for treating both arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, according to Dr. Fredericson.

Compression Braces

A compression wrist brace can help treat conditions like sprains, but more severe injuries like fractures should be treated with a more rigid brace.

What you want in a wrist brace depends on your condition, according to Dr. Fredericson.

Mobility

If you’re dealing with anything other than a fracture (or maybe a sprain), you likely want a wrist brace that gives you some mobility, says Dr. Fredericson.

Adjustability

In order to achieve the most comfort in wearing a wrist brace, pick one that’s adjustable. However, if you’re dealing with a fracture or an injury where you don’t want the wrist to move at all, rigidity is more important than flexibility.

Materials

Look for wrist braces made with durable materials that are also lightweight and breathable so they’re as comfortable as possible. You might also avoid wrist braces made with latex, which can cause allergic reactions or skin irritation in some people.

Professional Recommendation

Before using a wrist brace, speak with your doctor or a physical therapist to make sure you’re picking one that will treat your condition correctly—and not cause further damage.