Please help with my repetitive strain injury.

[mallett]

I had a pretty similar problem to you last summer when I was using some generic dell crappy mouse for around 10 hours a day, although it was my little finger on my right hand that had the problem. I found that it was because the mouse was just too small, width and height wise and also too light to what I was used to before hand.

I changed to a MX1000 and have never had any problems at all since, but it did take a while to get used to the shape of the thing, but now it feels really strange using something different. Its just one of those things that will feel weird at first but then become so natural you wont even notice it.

I think getting a different mouse is probably your best option as it will force you to change the way you hold the thing. I now hold it with my index finger pretty much parallel to the side of the mouse resting on the left button, my middle finger resting on the other side of the scroll on the right button and my other two fingers off the side with the tips slightly resting on the desk. My thumb rests in the grove below the buttons. I guess its not that dissimilar to in that link you put up earlier but the whole of my hand rests on the mouse which I find much more natural and comfortable then not doing it (thats where I think my problem came from).

Thinking back I think I used to hold a mouse like you described but got my pains elsewhere, and I guess getting the pain when I did was actually a good thing as it made me change how I was holding it before it did some major damage.

[acrobat]

Thanks guys

I'm definitely going to order a mouse tonight. It's just a shame I need to use a mouse to browse reviews to find the right one I'm pretty sure it will be a Logitech though, I just need to pick between a G5, a G9, or maybe one of their other ones I know nothing about yet..

I just need to make sure its as big as possible. The G9 does look pretty big, but I read that the G5 was even bigger, so I might just get that. I need to double check tonight though. I also saw one site briefly, which said he preferred a Razor mouse to the G9. I looked at it though, but it looked pretty small and flat. That would kill me.

[Pob255]

no idea what it's like but was just looking through scan and spotted this
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
pen mouse! on to try to con work into getting for you for health reasons?

[prehensile]

I have carpal tunnel injury, from using a keyboard on the floor in the winter because someone stole my table, one day for no reason both my hands went pretty numb without any warning, I have been into heavy gaming sessions for 20 years so my hands were very strong but I hadn't used them at all for a whole month which might have been part of it.

anyway I wish someone had told me when they went numb that I should go to the accident and emergency and get a cortisone/anti-inflammatory injection straightaway because it would have prevented some considerable damage and long-term loss of ability in my hands, I just spend two or three years not being able to handle books comfortably, use screwdrivers, keyboards myst joysticks Joypads garden tools-in fact I am typing this with-voice recognition

however if you look on the smartnav user forums for the mouse replacement, you will find some half price deals, I actually finished fear and quake with an infrared mouse with a cap with a reflector on it.

it's actually pixel accurate and very intuitive at least as much as a mouse, so you should use that whenever you need to rest your hand and

[DougMcDonald]

First off, I love your ingenuity with the car, that's one professional mod!!

I would suggest that even with improved hand positioning and different interface methods that the problem would lie with the amount of time you use the pc, especially in intensive sessions.

I have the same problem as I work in IT and then spend 90% of my free time infront of the PC at home for gaming and social stuff.

I would suggest two things.

1. As well as your mouse, look at other things in your PC setup, such as desk height, monitor position and chair ergonomics. I got a huge benefit from altering these things. There are many guides online to what you 'should' have things setup like. Whilst many of these are designed for typists and the suchlike, some of the principles can be applied to gaming etc. I had huge back and neck problems too until i made some significant changes here.
Do you use a wrist rest? Some people find it better or worse with one, it's a bit personal here. The guidance is not to use any support, but I find it helps.

2. Specialised excersises!!! I can't stress (no pun intended) this enough! I have personally found a huge benefit from doing things like just standing up and walking 5 yards away and back between rounds (gets' the blood flowing again to all body parts)
Another excercise I would advocate is hand stretches (the type of things you do when you get RSI) before you experience any of the symptoms. Things like stretching all your fingers as far back as they go and holding for 30 seconds, then crunching them into a tight fist and holding this for 30 seconds. Doing this once and hour/30 mins or so will benefit repeat RSI by getting you hand out of one fixed position.

In terms of getting rid of RSI, the only thing to do it rest it really. I have had occasions where a bad RSI period during the night, feels fine in the morning, only to re-occur within ten minutes of gaming again. If this is happening, you need a longer break!!

Hopefully some of this may be of use to people, I have found many of these things beneficial

[acrobat]

no idea what it's like but was just looking through scan and spotted this
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
pen mouse! on to try to con work into getting for you for health reasons?

I've just ordered a Logitech G5 and that little pen mouse It was so cheap, I thought I should just give it a shot. I nearly got the G9, but based purely on pictures, I just fancied my chances more with that G5 .

considerable damage and long-term loss of ability in my hands, I just spend two or three years not being able to handle books comfortably, use screwdrivers, keyboards myst joysticks Joypads garden tools-in fact I am typing this with-voice recognition

Bloody hell! That's bad. I had a look at the TrackIR stuff. I decided to try this new mouse (and the little one too), and see if that helps. If it doesn't help, I'll probably get the TrackIR. I've seen people using that to enhance games like Lock On. I never realised you can use them as a normal mouse replacement really. I'd rather not use that, but it's an option on my list if this new mouse doesn't work out anyway Thanks.

Hopefully some of this may be of use to people, I have found many of these things beneficial

It is mate, thank you. I've found a piece of quite firm foam, and I've started using that as a stress relief hand clenching thingy. It seems to work nicely! I am doing the other stuff you suggested too, and it's all helping. I think a combination of that, and my new mouse (and the other little one), should hopefully solve my issues gradually.

[JPreston]

You could use a trackball when not gaming which would ease the strain on your thumb and save the mouse only for gaming.

Yes that's what I do as well. I got a logitech marble mouse for £15, and use that with my left hand (normal mouse used with right).

That cleared up my RSI a treat, although mine was more like a sharp pain in wrist/elbow/shoulder, not much like what the OP describes. But whatever, trying a trackball mouse can't hurt.

[acrobat]

Thought I'd update a bit. Both my mice arrived today. The thing like a pen isn't that good really, but it is usable. It is bigger and thicker than i expected, so it is nice and comfortable to hold. The 2 mouse buttons are in a good place to hold too. So it works. The only problem is that it isn't especially comfortable for long periods (like writing), and it tends to move when you press the button so it's hard to click small buttons. But I think I will get better at that with practice. It is probably going to be good for just general use and checking my mail etc. I have it working along side my main mouse, so I can just pickup whichever one I want, which will hopefully allow me to have a bit of variety which might ease and repetitive strains. -- Edit: It's actually quite easy to control if I use the spongy little mouse mat that they included. I am getting used to that a bit now. I doubt I would ever play a game like this, but for normal PC usage, it seems to work pretty well.

As for the Logitech G5, it is very good. It has a weight package so I have it at a perfect weight for my liking. It has more buttons than my standard MS mouse. It works nicely on my desk, so I don't even need a mouse mat anymore. I find the middle mouse wheel to be a bit stiff to click in as a button. But again, I will probably get used to that.

As for comfort, I am not convinced yet. It is actually moulded to make me hold it exactly how I was holding the old mouse The part where your thumb goes, is actually grooved in so your thumb goes inwards. That's exactly what I didn't want. I want my thumb to be out not tucked in down the side. Having said that, it is a bit bigger than most mice, and a bit taller, so it changes my hand position slightly, and that alone might be enough to solve my problem. I've only been using it for an hour or so, but it feels different already. Only time will tell if my pains go, but it looks fairly promising. It isn't the perfect mouse for me, but it's much better than the last one for sure.

[ed^chigliak]

When I have RSI from CAD and gaming I switch to a Wacom Pen as a pointing device and map the mouse clicks to the keyboard. I can work left or right handed with the pen. I can only work right handed with a mouse. A pen tablet is fine for RPG & RTS games and greatly reduces the click fest. I found a tracker ball type device to be the worst pointing device ever and would rather push a mouse with my foot.

The sensible thing to do is play racing games with a steering wheel for a week or two or maybe a space/flight sim with a joystick. Change is good.

Finally get down the local indoor climbing wall and give your hands a workout.

[dymodan]

i went out and got a leather high back chair from argos. They have come down in price in recent years and are very affordable. It has greatly helped as i spend so much time on the comp, it is essential. Hope this helps.

[merdat]

I seem to need a smallish mouse as I suffer from repetative strain on the back of my hand. Find it far worse when using a large mouse. I also use a wrist rest as I find this helps a lot.

[acrobat]

Yeah a good chair is essential if you use the PC a lot. I never could get into those wrist rests but I might try now. This mouse I have is more sensitive so I don't need to move the mouse as much, so I could probably start using a wrist pad now.

would rather push a mouse with my foot.

lol

That pen of yours sounds great. This one I have is really good and I am starting to really like it, but it only has 2 buttons. A third would have let me scroll web pages and play games. Currently I just use it to work and surf and its good for that. It's pretty good. I am starting to get really accurate with it too. I find it best if I sit back and use it on my leg.. I never would have thought you could be accurate like that, but it is. It's pretty perfect and it's soooo comfortable to be able to sit back like that.