Possible carpal tunnel syndrom - any advice?

GarageGothic · Tue 07/02/2006 13:15:38

I was wondering (seeing as most people here use computers for work as well as entertainment) if anyone here has personal experience with carpal tunnel syndrome? I've been reading up on it on the internet, but although there was plenty of information about the causes and symptoms, I haven't really found too much advice on what to do to avoid it getting worse.

Beginning last week I'm experiencing tingling and numbness in my right hand as well as pain when moving the wrist in certain angles. From the info I could find on the web, these are symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, and to be honest I'm scared shitless by the possibility of fucking up my right hand. I can do a lot of stuff with my left hand, but I would really hate to lose my ability to draw.
The obvious advice would be to give it a rest and not use the hand for a while. And yes, that's what I'm trying to do. But at the same time, I have a job that means I have to work with computers all day, using keyboard as well as mouse (which I've now moved to left side of the keyboard) - and for at least some days also using a PS2 controller 4-5 hours a day.

So any ideas on what to do?

Thanks,
GG

SSH · Tue 07/02/2006 13:49:25

Make sure there is always straight line from your bottom knuckle, through your wrist to your elbow. This way, the tendons will not rub against the carpal tunnel wall and cause the inflammation that gives you the pain. It may help to get a chair with arms or a wrist-rest, but not necessarily.

voh · Tue 07/02/2006 13:53:21

I had to quit my job because I had carpal tunnel syndrome in my wrists and elbows and when they had to give me alternative work, they made me fold letters and put them in envelopes. Yeah, that's so incredibly easy on the wrists and elbows, and definitely NOT repetitive strain.

Dumbasses.

Anyway, what helped me get rid of it (though it took a year) is take a break every hour of computing. At least 10 minutes away from the keyboard and mouse, and move your arms - flail them around if need be. Go for a short walk. Whenever you feel like walking, do it. Whenever you feel your back stiffning up, MOVE. If you think "just gotta finish this", it's only going to get worse.

DoorKnobHandle · Tue 07/02/2006 13:57:17

You should also see a doctor in my opinion. Maybe he can help, analyzie whether you have that kind of disease or not and also give you way better tips than we can! Good luck!

GarageGothic · Tue 07/02/2006 14:00:22

Thanks for the replies guys. I will keep SSH's advice about the straight line in mind, and start taking breaks like voh said (sorry to hear about your own problems, but I'm glad you got over it). And of course dkh is right that I should see a doctor, and I will. It's just that I'm stuck in Sweden for a few weeks and only going home on weekends - when the doctor's is closed.

Nikolas · Tue 07/02/2006 14:04:45

If I'm not mistaken this is the same syndrome that occures to tennis player and piano players...

It can be really really bad if you don't take care of it. As mentioned before a doctor will help.

I had a simmilar problem (due to piano), which caused me 6 onths of immobility in the hand and daily injections! But it was a severe case (as I was studying for 8 hours each day).

Generally you must be using force in the way you use your mouse (one way or another). * Check that you loosen your wrist.
* An indication if your relaxed or not is the following: Check your shoulders. If you can relax and let go down a little your shoulders it means that you are not relaxed. Shoulders, while working, should be in the lower possible position.
* Make sure that hand-wrist are in an invisible straigh (almost) line.
* Rest

I hope you get better.

Anarcho · Tue 07/02/2006 14:18:15

Do you have one of those mouse pads with the elevated cushion for your wrist? My hand was bothering me at work and I got them to buy me one of these nice mouse pads...and I really haven't had any problems since. It's good that you're being proactive about this, because you don't want surgery.

Barbarian · Tue 07/02/2006 14:41:15

Heh... I was just about to suggest something similar that Anarcho mentioned.

I use the computer a lot, and before my wrist used to get a bit sore / tired after a while.
I got one of those mouse-pads that has the gel-pad-wrist-rest thingy on it, and I feel it really helps a lot.

Here's a picture of a typical one:

Of course if you shop around, you'll see they come in a variety of shapes and sizes tooÃ,Â

Ã,Â Ã,Â Takes breaks for a few minutes after every couple hours of using the computer. Do some easy wrist-stretches for the wrists, fingers and arms.Ã,Â Keep shoulder, elbows and wrists relaxed and in as a natural position as you can while using the computer.Ã,Â
Ã,Â Ã,Â You can use some of that lotion you can rub over for sore muscles and joints.

If it's getting too painful, then take a long break. Perhaps you may even take a few days off using your wrist to let it heal properly.

Doing some physical activities and exercise can also help increse the strength and flexibility of the wrists, muscles and joints.Ã,Â Example: I've been doing Martial-Arts a long time, and my muscles are quite strong and flexible.

If it's really painful and not getting any better, see the Doc for advice too like already suggested.
Good luck.

ManicMatt · Tue 07/02/2006 15:19:39

I use one of these:

It's an ergonomic mouse, and I don't get any aches! (It claims to stop RSI)

PS - It's not a joystick, the stick won't rotate.

Tuomas · Tue 07/02/2006 15:25:01

I use this pen. It's really good ergonomically, and if it starts hurting, there's a massage gear so that you can massage your wrist a bit.

Squinky · Tue 07/02/2006 15:56:41

Nice pen. My mother used to keep those areound the house, but I could just never figure out how to use them....

Damien · Tue 07/02/2006 16:16:47

You can check out the Cats Pawn. Also, check out the instructions on how to use it. You can make your own or just use both hands to simulate it.

Then you have something not so closely connected with CTS, but it also helps, the fingerweights.

And lastly, check out some stretches.

GarageGothic · Wed 08/02/2006 06:46:12

Thanks for all the suggestions. I most certainly will get one of those mouse-pads when I start using my right hand again, but for now I'll just give it a rest (I actually managed to use the PS2 controller with one hand yesterday, so it should be possible to avoid using it). That cats paw thing looks really interesting, Damien, I've never seen that before. And thanks for the suggestion of using the other hand to simulate it - those excercises can easily be done without the thing itself.

I sure hope it'll get better soon so that I can start working on graphics again.