The skin was actually sagging at the thumb. Use it or lose it is a fact in this case. When I instruct them to take them off and ask them to do some work, they will commonly react with fear. This is the very proof that they have become psychologically dependent on the braces, a situation that should never have been allowed to occur. The healing process needs us to use our tissues, because the body uses that information to know how to lay down the new tissue.
Regular use defines the grain of our muscles and tendons.
When the tissues are braced, not only do they become weakened, but the new cells being formed take shape with no grain, forming hard scar tissue which is more prone to reinjury for lack of flexibility. This abuse is partly the fault of the wearer who becomes dependent on the relief from pain braces sometimes afford, and partly of the general physician who irresponsibly gives people braces and tells them to wear them all of the time. It is certainly understandable that we want to be relieved of pain. One might go a few days feeling better, risk cutting some vegetables, and there it is again. Along with a deep depression.