Carpal tunnel & trackballs

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by musicman691

As I wrote I have the Kensington one you write of and I think that's what really aggravated my CTS. I love it for the way the trackball feels to me and all the buttons - BTW with the newer driver it looks like you can program the four buttons application specific.

The Logitech Marble is a finger operated trackball (it's in the middle of the device between the buttons). The new one has 4 buttons and the older one I have has just two. Or do you have the Trackball M750 (that's the new one)? That has a thumb operated trackball - have that one as well.

When you talk about switching back and forth are you talking about going from righty to lefty and back every so often? That I can do (being a drummer kind of helps with ambidextrousness).

I've seen a couple of vertical mice and this device from Penquin: http://www.posturite.co.uk/penguin-mouse.html Anybody have thoughts on these? As I wrote I don't have a lot of space and it seems like these devices need a rather large mouse pad. And that brings up a question: do modern laser rodentis even need a pad anymore? My wife uses a Logitech corded laser mouse and it really needed a pad for good tracking. Table top in that case is black and at my music setup it's a light grey (if that matters). Expense I won't get into because this is my hand health I'm talking about. If it'll help that's something I can get into.

At least with my ham radio & Morse code I use my left hand to send code with either a straight key or a bug so the CTS in my right hand isn't an issue there.

I meant switching between the trackball and a regular mouse as each requires a totally different hand/wrist/arm motion, and change is a good thing in your case(after all, its called a "repetitive" injury). Also, consider your chair height as changing that would change the angle of your arm, which might also help Beyond that, are there other ways to alter your workflow, such as more physical controls or maybe the Slate MTi2? Last idea, I saw a mouse on eBay that allows your hand to be in a more upright position(like holding a pistol) and that may be worth a try
http://www.ebay.com/itm/162281939821...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by albee1952

I meant switching between the trackball and a regular mouse as each requires a totally different hand/wrist/arm motion, and change is a good thing in your case(after all, its called a "repetitive" injury). Also, consider your chair height as changing that would change the angle of your arm, which might also help Beyond that, are there other ways to alter your workflow, such as more physical controls or maybe the Slate MTi2? Last idea, I saw a mouse on eBay that allows your hand to be in a more upright position(like holding a pistol) and that may be worth a try
http://www.ebay.com/itm/162281939821...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I've started working left handed until I can work something out for another mouse type device. Have been playing with chair height and that helps some; something that may be the fly in the ointment is my whole arm is not supported as my chair has no arms and no way to put them on.

Not really nuts on the Slate deal. Anything that requires some kind of liquid or wipe to get good interaction with the screen ain't my cup of tea. I've never been a fan of touch screens anyways and given it's a Slate product I wonder about the support

I've seen similar mice to what you linked to and that's one possibility. The ones I've seen all have different ways that the hand fits on the device. I've a Staples near me that has a bunch of different rodents and I'll give them a look this weekend.

I've found some stretching exercises on YouTube that seem to be helping me out. What I think complicates things for me is I also have arthritis (had it for years actually) so that makes therapy interesting to say the least.

[smurfyou]

I use a vertical mouse sometimes. It helps me to switch things up so I have a Logitech M/MX, a trackball, and a right-handed vertical mouse. Never used the ambidextrous Penguin one.

My problems are hand, wrist, and thumb so it's tricky for me to find just one things that helps. Ergonomics are definitely key. Taking breaks, stretches, and exercises.

[mlange]

Originally Posted by musicman691

Which one did you use - the long or the short one? I have something similar like the short one but from another manufacturer. I've only used mine (I have both the right & left hand ones) as a wrist support at times.

The shorter one is the only one I've ever owned... but since it works so well for my issues, I've never tried another

[JoelG]

You can also get vertical mice which might help:

http://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-u...4307975&rt=rud
https://evoluent.com/
https://www.kinesis-ergo.com/shop/dxt-wireless-mouse-2/
https://www.kinesis-ergo.com/shop/ve...se-4-wireless/
http://www.posturite.co.uk/penguin-mouse.html

Joel

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by JoelG

You can also get vertical mice which might help:

http://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-u...4307975&rt=rud
https://evoluent.com/
https://www.kinesis-ergo.com/shop/dxt-wireless-mouse-2/
https://www.kinesis-ergo.com/shop/ve...se-4-wireless/
http://www.posturite.co.uk/penguin-mouse.html

Joel

I looked at the 3M, Evoluent and Posturite mice and while they look neat they all require a fairly large space to work in. I barely have room for a standard sized roughly 8x9 inch mouse pad and these things look like they really need more than that (or at least a generous free amount of space around the pad). The 3M one looks like it won't glide well and could get stuck digging into the mouse pad. The Kinesis models are out as I want/need a wired rodent - I really don't like wireless peripherals because of the lack of security. Far too easy to sniff the signal out - I've seen it done many times.

I've found a Logitech corded mouse (M500) that while it's a right-handed mouse it also fits me perfectly for when I want to work lefty. Ordered a pair of them - one for my daw system and the other for my internet/Photoshop machine.

Update on my condition:
The stretches I found on YouTube seem to be helping along with a wrist brace for sleeping at night. I remove it in the morning so my hand/wrist connection gets to breathe a bit. The tingling comes and goes in severity but I guess that's to be expected. I did get one boost yesterday - was able to prepare dinner and make a large batch of salsa with relative ease considering what's happening (lots of knife work - I use no machines in the kitchen). I do over 90% of the cooking at home and that really made me feel good.

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by musicman691

Update on my condition:
The stretches I found on YouTube seem to be helping along with a wrist brace for sleeping at night. I remove it in the morning.....

I've done this from time to time....I've found it crazy how much more rested my hand/wrist feels.

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by YYR123

I've done this from time to time....I've found it crazy how much more rested my hand/wrist feels.

And don't discount the warmth the brace/support keeps in - really feels good.

[YYR123]

I found that after using the brace it was give my hands rest from (clenching my fists) super nice

But I'm in Texas I try to eschew warm anything . 🤠🤠🤠

[mjslakeridge]

Originally Posted by YYR123

I found that after using the brace it was give my hands rest from (clenching my fists) super nice

But I'm in Texas I try to eschew warm anything . 🤠🤠🤠

Good point! I wish I had an air-conditioned mouse.