Even worse is the common practice of continuing to put the same workload on the injured part thinking that the brace will protect it. In these situations, the use of the brace can (and often does) add more stress to the body. The stress is not always in the same spot so it might help one injury while causing a couple more.
In short, never use a brace or splint unless under the direction of a medical professional proficient in repetitive stress treatments.

