Emergency and Urgent Care - Wrist Braces

Introduction

You have sustained an injury to your wrist or thumb. This injury requires a wrist brace that you have been provided with.

This leaflet will provide information on to how to wear, reapply and care for the wrist brace.

Treatment

There are two types of wrist brace; a standard wrist brace and a wrist brace with a thumb extension. The brace comprises of a fabric support with Velcro straps and an internal metal splint that stabilises your wrist.

You will have been provided with the correct wrist brace dependent on your injury.

During you visit this wrist brace will have been fitted by the practitioner and they will have advised you on the length of time to wear the brace and if any follow up is required.

If you are in pain, regular pain relief is advised. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be bought over the counter and are very effective at reducing localised pain and swelling.

Refer to the patient information leaflet in the medicine boxes for advice of dosage and side effects prior to taking. You may have been prescribed pain relief on your visit, if so take this as prescribed and ensure you read the leaflet before taking.

The wrist braces are removable and you are encouraged to refit the brace between bathing and when the strapping starts to feel loose.

How to re-apply the wrist brace:

• Start by undoing all the Velcro straps and lay the brace down on a flat surface
• Place your hand on top of the brace. If your brace has a thumb extension, ensure that your thumb is inserted into the thumb extension
• Wrap the Velcro straps around the brace firmly. It should not feel too tight and the brace should not affect your ability to bend your fingers/grip
• If your brace has a thumb extension, close this Velcro strap last
• You can readjust individual straps if it feels too loose/tight in specific areas

Please visit this link on the internet for a video showing the application and how to re-apply your wrist brace:
https://vimeo.com/488586868/d29d58d1f2

Caring for your wrist brace:

If your brace becomes visibly dirty or starts to smell you are able to wash the wrist brace. Follow the guide below:

• Ensure to remove the metal splint from inside the wrist splint. This is located in the hard section of the splint
• Close all the Velcro straps and hand wash the brace in cool water. Rinse thoroughly to remove the detergent to ensure skin does not get irritated
• Air dry the brace on a flat surface to ensure the brace does not become misshapen
• DO NOT tumble dry the wrist brace
• Before re-applying the brace make sure the metal splint is reinserted the correct way round and the fabric ‘lip’ is covering the edge of the metal splint so it does not dig into the skin

Your wrist brace should last you until your injury heals but if you want to replace your wrist brace at any time they can be purchased from your local pharmacy.

Work

If you do not feel capable of going to work due to either pain or reduced movement, you are able to self-certify sickness for 7 days.
You must complete a self-certification form found on the government website and give this to your employer. This entitles you to statutory sick pay from your employer for up to 7 days.

To access the link to the self-certification form please go to:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-sick- pay-employees-statement-of-sickness-sc2

If you feel you need longer than 7 days off work, you must contact your GP for a sick note. We cannot provide sick notes from the Urgent Treatment Centre.

If your GP is based within the Rochdale borough they will have received a notification of attendance from us detailing your diagnosis.

Possible complications

Your wrist may feel stiff after removing the brace, it is important to practice gentle exercises of the wrist when your treatment has completed to build up its strength.

Fractures and ligament injuries should heal simply within time however if you notice any symptoms below, seek medical help.

If the fingers/hands become swollen, numb/tingling, change colour or you notice a deformity:

• Elevate the hand
• Seek medical advice from your GP, 111 or contact the Urgent Treatment Centre on 01706 517023.