A forelimb brace device suitable for use by snowboarders, skiers, in-line skaters and others protects against hyperextension and other injuries, by maintaining a selected orientation of the fingers, hand, wrist and forearm within a substantially rigid shell assembly having a palmar arch grip element and tensioning elements for maintaining a selected tension of the palmer element across the users' hand and forearm. The forelimb is maintained in a flexed position, while an extension stop prevents hyperextension of the phalanges, and a thumb portion prevents abduction or opposition injuries to the thumb.