Should You Sleep With a Wrist Brace On? Carpal Tunnel Protocol
Should I sleep with my wrist brace on or off?
The Quick Answer
**Yes—sleep with a rigid wrist splint on** (not flexible brace) for carpal tunnel syndrome. Nighttime is when symptoms worsen due to unconscious wrist flexion that dramatically increases carpal tunnel pressure. Wear a rigid splint maintaining neutral alignment (0–15° extension) every night for 8 weeks minimum. Flexible braces lack sufficient rigidity to prevent nocturnal flexion and are ineffective for sleep use.
Why We Ask This
Patients wear comfortable flexible braces to bed not realizing they collapse under body weight during sleep—failing to prevent the sustained wrist flexion that causes nocturnal median nerve compression and morning numbness.
The Practical Science
During sleep, wrists naturally flex 45–90° for extended periods—elevating carpal tunnel pressure to 110mmHg (versus 30mmHg neutral). Only rigid splints with dorsal stays maintain neutral alignment against body weight; flexible braces compress under pressure, permitting harmful flexion despite initial proper positioning.
In Clinical Practice
A patient with carpal tunnel switches from a flexible neoprene brace to a rigid thermoplastic splint with aluminum stay for nighttime use—eliminating morning numbness within 3 weeks by effectively blocking nocturnal flexion that the flexible brace failed to prevent.
References & Context
Wrist Braces for Carpal Tunnel: What to Wear and When"When it comes to managing symptoms, people often wonder how long a brace should stay on. In most cases, wearing it overnight is the most effective, since symptoms like numbness and tingling tend to worsen during sleep. Nighttime use helps keep the wrist stable and prevents awkward positions.Aug 26, 2025"