RSI

[Waifian]

Has anyone here gotten RSI from over mouse use? If so what have you done to recover from it? I have heard Dave mention RSI a couple times very briefly perhaps he has had it?

I am asking this because I started a position last November doing PCB layout. The mouse they gave me was a laptop mini mouse. Using this mouse for about a week doing some layouts my wrist started feeling like it was burning. Lactic acid build up type of burning. At the time since I have never had any problem with mouse use in the past I thought nothing of it.  For days after my forearm was in quite a bit of pain.  This was early January I think. Now I cannot use a computer mouse for more then maybe 15 to 20 minutes without my wrist/forearm hurting. So far I have gotten rid of the stupid mini mouse and switched to a track ball, I also use a timer on my pc so I take short 1 or 2 minute break from the pc. This has not helped very much.

I went to see a doctor and confirmed RSI, Tendentious who refered me to a physical therapist. Who has been having me do stretches which is about it. That has helped a little but it has been about 2 months since I started this and have only seen little improvement.
 
Thanks!

[SeanB]

Put a phone book on your leg and use the mouse on it. It should help a lot with keeping your wrist supported. It may look wierd at first but within 2 minutes you will have no problems, aside from the book falling down. If you wear denim you do not need the phone book, the denim is a good enough surface to work with the optics.

[dbinokc]

If possible, try switching mouse hands. It is not even necessary to change the mouse mode. It also tends to be a little fun, because people can not figure out if I am right or left handed. And no, I am not ambidextrous.

[G7PSK]

Not had RSI but I have had Bi Lateral carpal tunnel. Had to have an operation on both hands, most likely cause was to much use of power tools over the years, even now if I use a 9 inch grinder or a strimmer or chain saw for any more than a few minuets my hands feel like I have hold of a machine gun for several hours afterwards.

[free_electron]

for people with mouse problems :
get on contourdesign's website. countour design has mice for left and right handers and 5 or 6 different SIZES. they have a chart how to measure your hand and find the mouse that is the correct size for your hand.

we had two people at work with RSI . fitted them with a countourdesignmouse : problem solved after afew weeks. no more complaints.

http://ergo.contour-design.com/products/contour-mouse

[SeanB]

FE, I find the original intellimouse to be the perfect one for me, luckily everybody at work wanted a shiny black one and were happy to get rid of the white ones ( or for the favourites of mine the beige and brown shaded ones) for the new. I have a nice collecton now.

[madires]

Ditch the mouse and get a trackball.

[chrome]

Ditch the mouse and get a trackball.

If you bothered to read his post you would know he has a trackball already.

Also I don't understand why they would give you a laptop mouse to begin with, that's like giving a typist a cellphone keyboard.

[David Aurora]

Years of staring at screens editing shit drummers seems to have messed up my right wrist a little. I don't notice it usually, but if I use a mouse or even a trackpad on a bad angle for too long the pain kicks in and lasts for ages.

The best solution I found was switching to a graphics tablet and using the pen. I don't use it 24/7, just when I've got long hours of on screen manipulation. But it's much nicer to use for long hours one you get used to it.

[IanB]

The most important thing you can do with any kind of mouse or keyboard usage is not to keep your hand or hands resting on the device.

For example with a mouse always keep your arm free and resting in your lap or wherever. Move your hand to the mouse, move it, click it, then take your hand away. Your hand should only be touching the mouse if you are actually moving it or clicking it. The same goes for keyboards. My hands are nowhere near my keyboard unless I am actually pressing keys. When I am thinking what to type next my arms are folded at my chest.

[RRobot]

I used to get pain in my mouse hand, wrist and arm similar to what you describe. Using a mouse pad with a wrist support made all the difference. I'm not sure if the problem was having my hand hold up my arm, or my arm hold up my hand, the but the wrist support pad fixed it. I let my forearm relax and the weight is supported by my wrist.

[Waifian]

Thanks for the suggestions!