Carpal tunnel & trackballs

[musicman691]

For those that have read my posts when people ask about mice you'll remember I talk about using the Kensington Expert Mouse which is really a big trackball with a large scroll ring and 4 'buttons' and the wheel. I love it because it lessens the problems I have due to my arthritis. That and I don't have the room for a mouse pad and mouse. A mouse would give me a less of a positional problem with my hand/wrist.

Well every silver lining has a cloud. Mine is due to the way my wrist/hand sits on the pad that attaches to the device it puts an angle on my wrist and has now contributed to carpal tunnel issues with my right hand. First noticed a tingling in my thumb and next two fingers that would go away after a while. Recently though it's not totally going away but always lingers to some extent. Hello carpal tunnel syndrome

There's no comfortable way with the limited room I have to get more ergonomic. I know I could go lefty with a mouse but there's still the lack of space issue. And I'm not too enthused with the surgery that would be needed. I've a relative that had the surgery and even after a couple of years of therapy and meds she's still not right and it never really cured the CT.

Reasonable ideas anyone?

[unkJE]

Hi Jack

I really hope you can get back to normal, without resorting to surgery.
Evidently the operation has worked for some – but has left others worse off. Beware!
Please ask locally and Google it heaps.

Do you use the detachable wrist rest?
http://thecoolgadgets.com/wp-content...-trackball.jpg

The Kensington Orbit Optical Trackball Mouse has a “ramp”
http://www.boundlessat.com/Keyboards...rackball-Mouse

Even supporting your wrist with a small wedge of hard foam might minimize strain.

Squeeze Balls:
https://www.amazon.com/Isokinetics-I.../dp/B01FYMV822

Emu Oil:
Perceived as quackery by some – yet others swear by it.
Google “emu oil carpal tunnel syndrome” for more info.

Obvious, but possibly overlooked:
Maximize Keyboard Shortcuts to minimize Mouse usage.

Repetitive Strain Injuries need rest and rehabilitation.

[Barry Johns]

DO NOT SO THE SURGERY!!!

Be patient, there is also some good Youtube Video's out there of a Doctor that goes through exercises, stretches, massages you can do to rid yourself of it.

I have it frequently, and it aways goes away, but you have to stop doing the things that cause it for a while. For me the last time, it was playing guitar, which was very hard for me to stop, but I did, and it went away a month later. Sucks, but a much better than surgery which can make things a great deal worse!!!!

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by unkJE

Hi Jack

I really hope you can get back to normal, without resorting to surgery.
Evidently the operation has worked for some – but has left others worse off. Beware!
Please ask locally and Google it heaps.

Do you use the detachable wrist rest?
http://thecoolgadgets.com/wp-content...-trackball.jpg

The Kensington Orbit Optical Trackball Mouse has a “ramp”
http://www.boundlessat.com/Keyboards...rackball-Mouse

Even supporting your wrist with a small wedge of hard foam might minimize strain.

Squeeze Balls:
https://www.amazon.com/Isokinetics-I.../dp/B01FYMV822

Emu Oil:
Perceived as quackery by some – yet others swear by it.
Google “emu oil carpal tunnel syndrome” for more info.

Obvious, but possibly overlooked:
Maximize Keyboard Shortcuts to minimize Mouse usage.

Repetitive Strain Injuries need rest and rehabilitation.

I do use the detachable rest. I think it's the hardness of it in addition to the angle that's aggravating things. Maybe if I had something like the memory foam that's in my new mattress?

I've tried the Orbit but never got on with the trackball action it had.

Those squeeze balls look interesting; I guess an Amazon order is going to be in my near future.

Thanks for the tip on emu oil. I'm a big fan of supplements and such as alternative therapies. That's what helped me when I got out of the hospital 10 years ago after my cancer surgery. Worked such that I didn't have to do chemo or radiation.

Originally Posted by Barry Johns

DO NOT SO THE SURGERY!!!

Be patient, there is also some good Youtube Video's out there of a Doctor that goes through exercises, stretches, massages you can do to rid yourself of it.

I have it frequently, and it aways goes away, but you have to stop doing the things that cause it for a while. For me the last time, it was playing guitar, which was very hard for me to stop, but I did, and it went away a month later. Sucks, but a much better than surgery which can make things a great deal worse!!!!

I'm definitely not doing the surgery especially at my age (65+). Older people tend not to recover that well and I've heard too many stories from people and sources I respect that say the improvements if any were marginal.

I'll take a cruise through YouTube to see what I come up with.

Good to hear that it can go away - that gives me hope. Playing keys (I have a synth action keyboard) isn't too bad but the drums and guitars with the wrist action are the worst. This could explain why sometimes I have difficulty holding on to a pick - losing that sense of touch. And I'll have to change my knife handling skills in the kitchen as well (I do like 90% of the cooking) - I'm no Iron Chef but my wife likes my cooking.

At least for computer work I can go lefty with a regular mouse. There's only so much key combos and shortcuts can do though. The hardest thing till be selecting audio or MIDI stuff.

Thanks for the replies and I'll let you know how things progress.

[tamasdragon]

This what works for me:
1. Using the Kensington trackball and after a few days I switch back to mouse for one day, then back to trackball.
2. Daily exercises, strech, etc.
3. Using the ball mentioned above.

I don't say it's completely gone, but I'm able to work without interruption and pain. Sometimes I feel it, but that's not so bad. One important thing is to do the exercises even if you're not working that day.

[musicman691]

I don't have the pain as much as I have the tingly sensation in my fingers which comes and goes in severity. Pain and I are old friends sadly so unless it prevents me from doing something I kind of ignore it. I might take an Advil or two on bad days; I don't want to turn into a Dr. House (TV show in the US) and get hooked on opoid pain killers.

Have found some good rehab exercises on YouTube. What I like is that with the exception of the ones that use the stress balls there's no equipment needed. Can do some of them sitting down watching TV if I want to. And as far as doing the exercises every day my wife will remind/ask me if I've done them yet - she good that way.

[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.

[YYR123]

H-Town !!! What up !!!!

Air conditioned anything in Texas is usually a great idea

[mjslakeridge]

H-Town is waiting for the Rockets to put another beat-down on the Spurs (not Tottenham for you UK guys) tonight.

There is not a month out of the year that I don't use the A/C for at least a few days, with the humidity we have here. (Tip: don't leave a garbage can full of crawfish shells/heads in the garage for a few days until garbage pickup day). Only place worse that I have lived is New Orleans.

"Keep Austin Weird"