Experiences with RSI

[Lozbinator]

Hi All,

I just wanted to ask anybody who has ever suffered from repetitive strain injury as a result of working in IT / with computers to share their story.

Clearly this problem requires help from a medical professional, but how was the problem dealt with? Did the solution work well for you?

Look forward to hearing your stories!

 

[SQLSister]

Yes, as an old computer professional I have had to deal with Carpal Tunnel syndrome. One day I woke up and I literally could not pick up my toothbrush; my wrist hurt that much.

Luckily for me, I have been able to manage without surgery. Sometimes it is the only option. What I had to do was wear wrist braces for a long time especially when I slept. I also was not allowed to use a computer for several weeks. My office had to provide me with a temporary computer operator who I told what to do. (if you are in the US, I believe this would fall under workman's comp or the disabilities act as a legal requirement, check with your HR department.)

ALso I took anti-imflamatory painkillers.

That was 15 years ago. Now how do I live with this problem?
First and most effective was buying a desk that allowed me to tilt my keyboard downward. This means the front of my keyboard is higher than the back. I am also much more careful to mainatin a good typing position with my wrist in a neutral position. A gel pad in front of my mouse also helps. The one in front of the keyboard was worse than useless, it made things worse.

Whenever I start to have any pain at all, I stop and ice down my wrist. This is excruciatingly painful after awhile, but it usually takes the inflamation right down. I also take ibuprofin to help reduce the inflamation.

Hope all this helps.

 

[DonQuichote]

I always take into account that a user should be able to operate a program the way he likes. That means: by keyboard and by mouse. Or by pull-down menu and by button if it makes sense to have them both. You'd be surprised how many programmers cannot (read: will not) follow such a simple rule.

To prevent the carpal tunnel syndrome, I use both the keyboard and the mouse, and at home my mouse is a digitizing tablet with a pen instead of a mouse (my boss won't think of such devices).

I think that is the best I can do, together with being rested.

Best regards

 

[tazuk]

I developed RSI last year during a particularly stressful project at work (after 5 years as a developer and 10 years home PC use). The pain was most prevalent in my right wrist, to the extent that I could only sleep by leaving the hand as though it was holding a mouse.
I've managed to avoid 'offically' declaring it at work, and currently use natural keyboards and trackballs, both at home and work. Although tricky at first, they only take about a day to adjust to and have the added benefit of discouraging others from using your workstation .

I also found some basic wrist and hand flexibility exercises which I practice every hour or so whilst working on the pc, and also use a set of those steel stress / worry chiming balls to encourage flexibility. I also make sure I take regular breaks from the keyboard.

In addition to this I visit a chiropractor every 2 months for treatment of the wrists (as well as some long-standing RTA injuries).

It's now more than a year since I first noticed the RSI symptoms but I find these techniques help me manage the condition quite well, although I still notice it after a long day.

HTH.

 

[LesleyW]

tazuk, what's a "natural" keyboard?

 

[KenCunningham]

One made of wood (does anyone else remember them!). The other option of course is the type of keyboard which is ergonomically more suited to certain peoples' typing styles. A Google search brings up mainly Microsoft ventures into this field, but I'm sure there are others.

 

[tazuk]

LesleyW - by "Natural" i mean the type with the split in the middle of the keyboard so that either side is curved in what is claimed to be a more natural position for the hands.
There are a number of examples, it so happens that the ones I use are both Microsoft. I believe Logitech also make several flavours.

HTH

 

[pmrankine]

tazuk,
Why have you had to avoid "declaring it at work"? Health & safety tell us to report it early so it can be helped..

pmrankine

 

[lespaul]

I also use a natural keyboard (I call it the "wavy" keyboard). Now I find that when I have to spend a period of time working on a "normal" keyboard that I start to experience problems (aching wrists, tingling hands). I also would take anti-inflamatories and wear braces at night. Since switching to the wavy keyboard I no longer have to.

I also get regular massages and try to visit the chiropractor a regularly as I can afford to (the massages are easy... my husband's my therapist!)

Leslie

 

[tazuk]

pmrankine,
I've chosen to avoid declaring it as I wish to avoid having it noted on my employment record. Given my line of work (programmer) and the company I work for (small and somewhat prone to arbitrarily getting rid of staff), I felt it was the best approach for me. At the time I developed RSI there were large numbers of redundancies going on (around 30% of staff) and I felt the need to keep a low profile.