Distal radius fractures (DRFs) occur when the radius, located in the forearm, breaks close to the wrist. DRFs are one of the most common injuries encountered in orthopedic practice, accounting for 8-15% of all bone injuries in adults.1<\/sup> They are most commonly caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand while the wrist is in dorsiflexion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common candidates for DRF are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Understanding who is at risk provides important context, but recognizing the specific activities that commonly lead to these fractures can help with both prevention and timely intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once a distal radius fracture has occurred, optimal recovery relies on prompt and appropriate treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goal of distal radius fracture treatment is to restore the mobility and durability of the upper extremity.3<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most patients with non or minimally displaced DRF can be treated non-operatively with short-arm cast (plaster or fiberglass) immobilization alone.4<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n Traditionally, an immobilization period of 4-6 weeks is chosen. However, due to the risk of secondary fracture displacement being highest in the first 2 weeks after injury, recent literature has challenged this, suggesting that a 3-week immobilization period may be sufficient.4<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n After plaster removal, patients with distal radius fractures often experience discomfort, especially after prolonged immobilization, with reduced wrist flexibility and grip strength, which may interfere with daily activities. Multimodal, progressive rehabilitation can gradually restore wrist mobility and help patients return to normal life. Supervised rehabilitation under professional guidance may be more effective than self-directed exercises5<\/sup>. The use of assistive devices (e.g., electrical stimulation, whirlpool baths) or smart rehabilitation apps may enhance outcomes.6,7,8<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n While plaster or fiberglass casts are most commonly used for immobilizing stable, non-displaced wrist fractures, this approach carries some negative aspects that can impact recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Neither plaster or fiberglass casts are waterproof, meaning patients must take care during bathing to prevent them getting wet and damaging their structural integrity. Further to this is the propensity for dampness inside the cast and pressure-related complications such as acute carpal tunnel syndrome and skin necrosis.9,10<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n Orthopedic wrist braces address these issues in different ways depending on their design. Unlike traditional casts, these braces are removable, allowing access to the limb for purposes of examination or hygiene. While many wrist braces are made from a combination of semi-rigid elements and fabric materials, some are constructed from thermoformable materials that allow them to be heated and shaped to fit the forearm for improved comfort. These thermoformable braces are usually also water-resistant, meaning patients can bathe or even swim while wearing them.9,11<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n The benefits these wrist braces offer can result in higher patient satisfaction in comparison to traditional casting.12<\/sup> Beyond patient experience, clinical studies have examined whether these braces deliver comparable functional outcomes to traditional immobilization methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recent evidence-based guidelines for distal radius fracture treatment show bracing can be a viable alternative to cast immobilization.13<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sellbrant et al.\u2019s 2021 study compared the quality of recovery between wrist brace and traditional plaster cast immobilization following surgery for DRF. It found that bracing was a feasible option, with the only difference found that patients in the cast group had significantly less pain 24-hours post-surgery.14<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n Conversely, a 2023 study of 50 patients found no disadvantages to using wrist braces instead of traditional casting. While it found braces to be equal to plaster casts in terms of patient satisfaction, stability, physical function, and quality of life, it found them superior in hygiene, adaptability, and application.15<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n There is also evidence to suggest the effectiveness of wrist braces in treating children with distal radius fractures. A 2018 study of 40 pediatric patients found that treating DRF with a removable wrist brace without clinical or radiographic follow up resulted in nearly universal good patient outcomes and parent satisfaction. It also noted that no special training is required to use these devices, allowing them to be implemented quickly on a wide scale.16<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n Regarding thermoformable wrist braces, a study by White et al. (2021) found that they demonstrated markedly less water absorption when compared with traditional plaster and fibercast liners. For clinicians, this may provide cost savings and reduced resources when addressing moisture-related splinting issues for distal radius fracture.9<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n Medical-device company Enovis\u2122 offers a wide range of orthopedic products within its hand-and-wrist portfolio to support recovery from distal radius fractures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DonJoy RespiForm\u2122<\/a><\/strong> is a semi-rigid wrist brace offering post-operative immobilization of the wrist to aid recovery. Removable and adjustable, it also features lightweight and breathable materials for enhanced patient comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Exos Wrist Brace with BOA\u00ae<\/a><\/strong> is a thermoformable rigid wrist brace that offers healthcare professionals and their patients a removable, adjustable, reformable, and waterproof solution for the treatment of fractures and other injuries requiring stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While wrist bracing can address the immobilization phase of distal radius fracture treatment, the subsequent exercise phase may benefit from adjunctive modalities to enable optimum recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following cast removal, many patients with distal radius fracture experience pain and disability, which can limit the progression of exercise during the rehabilitation phase. Evidence suggests that using photobiomodulation therapy as an adjunctive modality can address these limiting factors and increase the likelihood of successful recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) utilizes non-ionizing electromagnetic energy in stimulating biological tissues processes to promote healing of muscle and skeletal pathologies. It has been found to reduce inflammation and swelling after acute trauma and reduce acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain.17<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n A 2022 study found that PBMT is safe and has long-term positive effect on pain and disability in DRF patients, when applied in combination with a home-based rehabilitation exercise program.17<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n LightForce\u00ae therapy lasers<\/strong><\/a> from Enovis offer clinicians a user-friendly and effective way to deliver PBMT. Used to deliver an estimated 1.2 million treatments per month in 29 countries around the world, these products are available in three different versions to suit practices of all sizes. From the maximum-power 40W LightForce\u00ae XLi<\/strong><\/a> to the more portable 15W LightForce\u00ae XFi,<\/strong><\/a> LightForce therapy lasers enable clinicians to deliver safe and effective pain relief to support rehabilitation of a wide variety of conditions including distal radius fracture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recovery from distal radius fractures depends on appropriate immobilization that balances stability with patient comfort and compliance. Wrist braces address many limitations of traditional casting while delivering clinically comparable outcomes, offering healthcare professionals and patients flexible treatment options that support return to daily activities and summer recreation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The role of wrist bracing in the rehabilitation of distal radius fracture can be further supported by photobiomodulation therapy. Combining these technologies in a multimodal rehabilitation approach can help medical professionals ensure optimum recovery for their patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Healthcare professionals interested in learning more about wrist braces and photobiomodulation therapy devices can contact their local Enovis representative<\/a> or visit our website<\/a> for detailed product information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BOA\u00ae is a registered trademark of Boa Technology, Inc.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n With the summer months comes an increase in the likelihood of injury, including wrist fractures. Wrist-bracing products exist to prevent and manage wrist fractures, but what evidence exists for their efficacy?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":3327,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[127,249,247],"tags":[125,253,251],"class_list":["post-3318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-donjoy","category-exos","category-wrist","tag-donjoy","tag-exos","tag-wrist"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
Summer Activities Most Commonly Associated with Wrist Fractures<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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From Immobilization to Rehabilitation: Distal Radius Fracture Recovery<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Wrist Bracing Can Support Wrist Fracture Recovery<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Does the Clinical Evidence Say About Wrist Braces?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Hand and Wrist Braces for Wrist Fractures \u2014 from Enovis<\/strong>\u2122<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Indications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Features and Benefits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"DonJoy](\"https:\/\/enovis-medtech.eu\/blog_eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/RESPIFORM_0044-1000x1755-1-583x1024.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nIndications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Features and Benefits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Exos](\"https:\/\/enovis-medtech.eu\/blog_eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Exos-Wrist-Brace-with-BOA-683x1024.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nThe Role of Photobiomodulation Therapy in Wrist Fracture Rehabilitation Progression<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
References<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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