As someone who types for a living, I’ve always kept in the back of my mind that I didn’t want to lose the use of those appendages. Back in college, before I really started thinking about this, I noticed some of the early signs of carpal tunnel and, after stopping by the campus health center, they did also confirm that I was seeing those types of symptoms.
After doing a bit of research on the matter, I then bought a Kinesis keyboard (video example) and, since then, I haven’t had any problems; I could type all day and my wrists felt as good at the end of the day as they did at the beginning.
Over about the past week, though, I’ve noticed a bit of an ache at the base of my pinkie finger in my mousing hand, right around that finger’s knuckle area. (I’ve also added a Note to that Flickr image outlining the general area.) At first, I wondered a bit if I had broken it, but after thinking about it, I realized that the ache was coming and going—which I presume wouldn’t happen if it had actually been broken.
I wasn’t quite sure how I’d describe the ache/pain, but I’ll give it a shot. It doesn’t hurt enough that it stops me from sleeping. And, if I’m watching tv or otherwise pleasantly distracted, I can usually ignore it. Every now and then, the pain does occasionally reach to the level where I have to let go of my mouse for a minute and let my hand rest. Or, to put it another way, if you’ve ever punched a wall or otherwise slammed your knuckle into a hard surface (by accident or otherwise), it kinda feels like that sort of pain.
So, what now? Well, if I have any say in the matter, I still plan on typing for the rest of my professional career. And one might think, “Well, let's just add some ergonomics in there.” All of that makes sense, I think, but what I'm finding to me the tough part is separating the ergonomic myths from the legitimate guidelines. Let’s take a wrist rest, for example—I honestly don’t know if that would help or hinder. On top of that, I’m not entirely certain how I would figure that out.
For instance, this page at OSHA.gov suggests:
“Use a wrist rest to maintain straight wrist postures and to minimize contact stress during typing and mousing tasks.”
On the other hand, this page from the “Cornell University Ergonomics Web” says:
“Don’t use a Wrist Rest — research has shown that using a wrist rest doubles the pressure inside the carpal tunnel, because the floor of the tunnel is a more flexible ligament that transmits external pressure changes directly into the carpal tunnel (the roof of the tunnel is bone so the pressure doesn’t get transmitted on through the hand). […] ”
Now, I’d usually be more inclined to believe something if it’s posted at a .gov address (especially osha.gov, at that), but this case, it does seem that the Cornell page cites more evidence for its case. Come to think of it, after reading over that Cornell University Ergonomics Web page a bit more, it does appear that they know what they're talking about. I mean, when the footer of your page includes a link for “More information on our Mouse research studies”, that seems like a pretty good sign, no?
One way or another, I’ll need to take care of this. If you have any suggestions—even if they’re suggestions on how to tell the good ergonomics info from the old wives’ tales—I’d be open to them.
I have carpal tunnel in my right hand, surgery and all that. Surgery in 1993 made it mostly better, but I still cannot use a mouse in my right hand for very long before my hand goes to sleep.
Carpal feels a bit like when you sit down in a funny position and your leg goes to sleep. It does not affect the thumb and seems to only affect the side of the pinkie finger that is next to your ring finger – does not seem to affect the outside.
“Pronating” = bending the wrist while working the fingers is a risk factor for carpal. It inflames the tendons and thus compresses the carpal nerve.
I am very right handed, but learned to mouse left handed because of the existing carpal.
It feels very goofy and spastic at first to use the “wrong hand”, it just takes some time to learn the motor skill. I was spastic with a right hand mouse for many years, as I had very little practice.
It only takes a week to get accustomed to mousing with your other hand – give it a shot.
Carpal DOES NOT get better over time.
If you are experiencing mild symptoms, it is time to make a change now.
One other risk factor for carpal is pre-diabetes, an occupational hazard of being a sedentary coder.
I turned up with full-blown diabetes like 10 years after the carpal (that is typical for carpal), and I could have avoided both problems if I had realized what was going on.
Good luck to you.
The doctor gave me a wrist guard that really helped. It had a piece of plastic in it that held your wrist up a bit. It felt really good and seemed to work. I never looked to see if they had them at a regular drug store, but since then I use a regular kepboard and mouse setup and don’t reall have any problems.
Alex, this might not be the same issue, but several years back, I had some tingling sensations through my arms, radiating from the shoulder. It turned out to be my posture at the keyboard, and subsequent visits to a chiropractor worked it out (it did take a while!). It comes back now and then, but not nearly the same intensity. Again, might not be the same thing, but worth checking out.
Thanks for all the tips, guys—there’s some good info there and that definitely gives me something to chew on.
I’ve heard people at work tell me that constant use of a touchpad (like on a laptop) is absolute hell on their carpal tunnel symptoms due to the wrist position and constant tension of the arm/wrist/finger muscles.
If the problem is aggravated by actual mousing, you may want to take a look at a mouse that changes your hand position, or one that doesn’t put any pressure on your wrist. For example, take a look at the Microsoft Natural Wireless Mouse 6000. The “Natural” in the description is important, since they also make a 6000 in a non-ergonomic form factor. The Natural 6000 turns your wrist closer to a “handshake” position rather than the standard palm-down position. It’s also a little larger than most mice, so you don’t have to grip it with your pinkie to move it around.
I use and recommend the Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 7000, but I think they only sell the Natural 7000 mouse as part of a full keyboard/mouse set.
Another option would be a mouse shaped like a joystick that you slide around. There are several types available.
I am going through a similar situation now, and recognizing the signs of carpal tunnel (as well as recognizing that my desk setup was less than optimal) I changed out the chair and switched my mouse and keyboard to wireless ones so I could control their positioning without cord issues. Singularly the most helpful thing I did was start wearing a wrist brace I picked up at CVS for $25. It forces me to hold my hand/arm correctly without having to constantly remind myself. Problems cleared up shortly thereafter.
As an aside, I tried out a wrist pad for my mouse…big mistake. Cornell was absolutely right. Not only was it putting more pressure on my wrist, causing it to hurt, it was also pressing on a cyst I’ve developed on my wrist that made things even worse. Seeing an orthapedist next week about the cyst, but for now, the brace is helping that too b/c I’m not resting my wrist on anything.
Good luck!
my dad is a chiropractor and he often amazes me how he could treat my sprains.`’-