Kinsella said he was surprised at how widely wrist braces are used to fight pain caused by workplace injury. Wrist braces are rigid wraps made of plastic, leather or metal that fit over the bottom of the hand and the back of the upper arm. They hold the wrist straight when moved. Made by a number of manufacturers, they are widely available at medical-supply stores. One company plans to begin selling them in grocery stores, Kinsella said.
Wrist pain affects millions of workers nationwide.
They work in computer data-processing such as travel agencies, telemarketing or newspapers, or in manufacturing, construction and food processing. Specifically, 1.89 million Americans suffer symptoms of the repetitive-strain wrist injury known as carpal tunnel syndrome, according to a CTDNews survey conducted last fall. And another 4 million American workers have tendonitis, many of them in their wrists and arms. The care of the injured costs companies a bundle, Kinsella said. Kinsella does not expect the survey to slow the sale of wrist braces.