The wrist is both one of the most important and one of the most complex joints in the human body. We use our wrist almost permanently, whether consciously or unconsciously, and so that the various different movement possibilities in this joint can be given, its construction is particularly complicated.
Structure of the wrist
Most of our joints are made up of two bones, with the end of one bone forming the socket and the end of the other bone forming the joint head. These two parts are connected to each other in a joint capsule and ensure the mobility of the joint through certain forms of displacement against each other. In contrast, the wrist involves a large number of bones and, in the strictest sense, is not even really a single joint, but is actually made up of several joints.
The two bones of the forearm, ulna and radius, interact with each other and with the proximal row of carpal bones, which is formed by four bones. This is also called the proximal wrist. The distal wrist is located between the two rows of carpal bones.
In addition, there are theoretically even other joints in the wrist, between individual other bones, but these are so limited in their range of motion that they can be practically neglected. In addition, the various joints are further strengthened by tendons and ligaments. Together, however, all these joints form a functional unit that allows us to perform finely tuned movements in the wrist, but also makes it quite susceptible to injuries, diseases or other functional impairments.
Types of wrist bandages
For these different indications there are of course a large number of different types of wrist bandages. Most of them are available on the Internet as well as in the usual medical supply stores or sports departments of larger stores and can usually be applied by the patient himself. However, if there is any uncertainty about the use of the wrist bandage, a doctor or physiotherapist should be consulted as a precaution.
They can be varied in the tightness by means of a Velcro fastener and can thus be easily adjusted to individual needs. To ensure ideal support, many of the wrist supports are reinforced with additional splints. Especially those wrist bandages that are used during sports are stretchable and breathable.
By wicking away moisture, they provide an optimal temperature balance, which is intended to prevent increased sweating under the wrist bandage. Some bandages additionally activate the wrist by specifically compressing nerves and vessels. Depending on the type of wrist bandage, it can be worn on one or both arms.
Some models have a thumb loop to include it in the stabilization. Some wrist bandages have a zipper in addition to the Velcro fastener for firming. Furthermore, different materials are used for the wrist bandages, depending on the area of application and brand.
Which of the many types is best suited for a particular case varies from person to person and depends on both the reason for wearing the bandage and personal preferences. However, salespeople and/or doctors are usually well placed to help the patient in his or her choice. In contrast to simple wrist bandages, which only enclose the wrist like a cuff and sometimes have a thumb loop for better hold and effect, a wrist bandage with thumb inclusion provides much more comprehensive support for the thumb as well.
This wrist brace also covers the metacarpophalangeal bones and the thumb saddle joint and is therefore characterized by a high degree of stability in these joints, so that they can be spared if mobility is limited and recover from possible irritations, such as tendosynovitis or joint arthrosis. The inclusion of the thumb distributes loads that act on individual joints alone to the entire structures enclosed by the support and thus effectively relieves them. This also reduces the associated pain, which can have an additional positive effect on the condition of the affected person.A wrist bandage with thumb inclusion can be used purely therapeutically, as well as preventively or after an operation as a kind of rehabilitation measure, in order to be able to maintain the usual movements while taking it easy.
Therefore, such a bandage can be used in many ways. Wrist bandages are available in various materials, including leather. A bandage made of the natural material is usually very rigid at the beginning and can be uncomfortable.
But the advantage of a bandage made of leather is also that the material adapts to the wrist individually through regular wearing and thus also through the body heat, and thus fits very well and offers a high level of wearing comfort. This is very important for the wearer of the bandage, because it has to be worn for a long time and then it should be as comfortable as possible and only be perceived as disturbing to a very small extent. In addition, a wrist bandage made of leather is easy to wear and well tolerated by the skin, even if the skin sweats under it.
At the same time, it offers the wrist stability and support, so that undesirable movements can be suppressed and the relevant structures at the joint are relieved. It can be worn in everyday life as well as during sports because the leather is very robust. Leather wrist bandages are also available in various designs, for example with or without a thumb loop, and can therefore be used for various wrist complaints.
In order to protect the wrist from injuries and overstrain, it can be useful to wear a wrist bandage for certain activities. For some routine movements in everyday life or at work, there is an increased risk of wrist damage. Here, too, the use of a wrist bandage can be useful.
These include, for example, long periods of working at computers, vibration stress on the wrist or, in general, almost all movements that are repeated over a long period of time and are uniform in form. Wrist bandages play a particularly important role in prevention, especially in the area of sports. Various sports can put a lot of strain on the wrist, including handball, volleyball and many more.
A wrist bandage shields the wrist a little from external violence and stabilizes it so that it is less likely that unphysiological movements and, in the worst case, overstretching or fractures can occur. A further area of application for wrist bandages are diseases from the rheumatic form circle. These include arthrosis, which occurs in principle in every joint of the body, but is most frequently manifested in the hand area at the saddle joint of the thumb.
It is characterized by chronic joint wear (degeneration) and leads to pain and loss of movement. On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory disease of the joints, which is also associated with sometimes severe pain, is also included. In both cases, the wrist bandage is used to immobilize the joint and bring it into a protective position that is intended to relieve pain.
It is therefore also used for pain in the scaphoid. Other common diseases in the wrist area are For all these diseases, a bandage can be useful, since pain develops or at least intensifies especially during movement. In addition, overstrained nerves or tendons are not moved as much, which accelerates the healing process.
The third major area where wrist bandages are used is after injuries or fractures. When the firm cast is removed, it is advisable to wear a wrist bandage at least temporarily. This will protect the joint, which must first get used to normal movements again, and support the bones in their regular growing together.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, which is caused by the median nerve of the arm being damaged for some reason, usually by some form of excessive pressure, and which can therefore show signs of loss of mobility (motor function) and/or sensation (sensitivity),
- A tendosynovitis, which can result from overstraining the tendons and
- The Guyon-Logen syndrome, in which the ulnar nerve (nervus ulnaris) is damaged.
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