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Thread ID: 22551	2002-07-24 07:54:00	wrist problems with mouse...	loser (538)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
64848	2002-07-24 07:54:00	I would like some advice if you could be so kind.... I get wrist problems from using a mouse for prolonged periods. 1 to 2 hours per day will give me some discomfort, and more than say 4 will give me quite bad pain. I'm a software engineering student, and I can really see this being a big problem in the future due to my choice of career path. My right wrist now "cracks" constantly. So what other options do I have?? Of course there are track balls, but what sort? Are there any other devices that I could look at? Thanks, Tim	loser (538)
64849	2002-07-24 08:36:00	> Are there any other > devices that I could look at? Tim, do you use kind of wrist support? 3M have their silicon wrist supports for mouse pads and for keyboards, these are really good I find. There's also desk attachments that hold your arm up so that you don't have to spend all day holding up your arm (this can be a major cause of wrist pain, especially on the mouse arm). I forget the name of a brand that makes these - I think they're called "Ergo-rest" or something. Mike.	Mike (15)
64850	2002-07-24 08:41:00	No, no I don't use anything at the moment, but I will definitely look into that sometime, thanks. At the mo I just have the standard mouse-on-pad-on-desk setup. Generally my arm rests on the desk from the elbow, but I guess this may not be the best either, but I don't know. Ta...	loser (538)
64851	2002-07-24 08:47:00	Hiya, I used to have shocking problems, when I had a small desk - nowhere to rest my weary arm LOL...... I solved it by buying an el-cheapo corner (Lshaped) desk from the Warehouse ( for around 60 bucks ) I have had no problems since Regards, BALDY	Baldy (26)
64852	2002-07-24 08:48:00	You've got to be really careful you don't want to get to the stage where you physically can not type. (or mouse)	-=JM=- (16)
64853	2002-07-24 08:52:00	Before you get much older get some professional help regarding your mouse usage and operating patterns, position, etc. If you stuff up (not exactly the correct phraseology but it sums things up nicely !!) now you are likely to have PERMANENT problems. Most of the problems I see relating to computer use (yes, I am in the medical profession) relate to poor ergonomics. Monitor and keyboard position. Correct chair height AND correct positioning of the mousing surface. There are heaps of sites on the web giving advise and they are mostly the same. Just quickly DON'T let your wrist rest on ANYTHING if possible, be it soft or hard. The "soft" surface of the wrist resting on something all the time causes pressure on the nerve which is only just below the surface (the median nerve). This will give you gip sooner or later !! Don't forget the micropauses for wrist, neck, etc. Remember, do something NOW before it is too late (sorry to sound so gloomy but it is a fact). Best of luck for your career ! Crunn	Crunn (1068)
64854	2002-07-24 09:30:00	A few years ago I suffered a similar problem. I was doing a paper at Tech at the time and by the time we got to ergonomics I had the problem under control. First time I'd done the homework - in such depth - well in advance of a class. One of my class mates had survived for 2 years on panadol and long hours. Result? 60% usage of arm - For Life! - and permanent reduction to part time work. Deal with it! Now! How I dealt with my problem: First, acknowledged I had a problem and took ownership of it. Second, bought and used a wrist brace for a few weeks Third, visited the homeopathic chemist and got some tablets Fourth, tweaked my computer set-up so heights etc were right Fifth, wrist support for keyboard Sixth, wrist support for mouse Seventh, reduced use of mouse and used more keyboard commands Eighth, for a period of some weeks - rested my arm (the wrist brace helped to remind me to carry shopping with the other hand etc.) OSH had a publication on office safety with a good guide to ergonomics but it's hard to find on their site - came across the following which looks as though it may be just what you are looking for: www.osh.dol.govt.nz And the problem is solvable if you deal with it early enough. Mine was cured and by watching for early symptoms I haven't had a recurrance. If the above doesn't solve it physio is the next step. Heather	Heather P (163)
64855	2002-07-24 09:40:00	> Just quickly > DON'T let your wrist rest on ANYTHING if possible, be > it soft or hard . The "soft" surface of the wrist > resting on something all the time causes pressure on > the nerve which is only just below the surface (the > median nerve) . This will give you gip sooner or > later !! as much as this might sound like good medical advice (which it probably is) it just is not practical . I use a computer from 8-5 every day for work (not counting the endless hours after work), with 99% of it being mouse work, and I do know that I would absolutely not cope at work without a wrist support . It holds my wrist at a good comfortable angle, and makes the day a lot easier . Trying to hold my wrist up all day without it resting on anything would just be nightmarish . Mike .	Mike (15)
64856	2002-07-24 10:28:00	Loser, this may sound a bit simple but I had a similar problem - pain in the (right) wrist when computering for long periods. I changed the mouse to my left hand (I'm right handed). Took a bit of getting used to (a lot easier if you convert it to left-hand operation - ie do the button swap), but actually allows me to work quicker as I do a lot of data inputting using the number keypad, so it means I'm not forever changing between the keypad and mouse. Haven't had any wrist pain since (over a year now). Confuses the hell out of anyone trying to use my PC though. andy	andy (473)
64857	2002-07-24 10:40:00	As a matter of interest, there are quite a few freeware programs that will remind you to have a break after so many minutes or 'mouse miles'.	Elwin Way (229)
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