Carpal Tunnel?

Recently I have had some pain in my wrists. During the past week I have been using the computer for large amounts of time as well. My friend told me that my wrist might have carpal tunnel which is common in computer related careers due to the constant use of wrist motions. Now I did some research and apperently mayo clinic did research on computer use and carpal tunnels and apperently it dosent affect your chances of have it. Also the only symptom i feel is pain in my wrist which should go up my forarm as well but does not. I was wondering if anyone here has experience in this are since I know some of you spend a lot of time behind the computer

And of course I go back to the computer for help when the cause of the pain is the computer apparently hehe

 

I've had pain in my wrist/hand once after using a computer that wasn't setup very ergonomically. My wrist was resting directly on the edge of the desk, and it gave me sort of a "pins & needles" feeling that went from my wrist up my pinky finger.

This sorted itself in a couple days, and I don't use that computer anymore. Maybe it would be worth investing a small amount into a ergonomic mousepad for yourself. I think they're wonderful.

http://www.sz-wholesale.com/uploadFiles/070113101236s.jpg

 

this will explain a little about it.

http://www.seniormag.com/conditions/injury/carpeltunnel.htm

http://bestsmileys.com/medical/6.gif

 

If it is both wrists, I would think it is unlikely to be computer related.
More likely to just affect the mouse hand.

However if you are doing a lot of typing and are not used to it, and the ergonimics are not quite right there is a chance of R.S.I.

Carpal tunnel is weird, it does tend to go up your arm, includes numbness, pins and needles, pseudo-electric shocks and can reappear out of nowhere after a year of no problems.

 

Carpal tunnel is one of those things that is hard to accurately diagnose and solve. Wrist issues can be due to a number of different things, and as you quite rightly point out, one of them can just be from over-use of a computer, or simply a bad desk set-up. Get a good supportive chair, good mouse pad with gel support and keyboard support too. This is why frequent breaks are advised.

I've dealt with wrist issues for many years. The pain, tingling, numbness, all way up the arm into the shoulder at times too. I have seen specialist who have said I have carpal tunnel and I have seen specialists who say I haven't. Those that do advise surgery, the only complete cure, but the success rate percentage is too low for me to warrant invasive measures personally. I have spoken to friends who have this gruelling surgery...one writs at a time...6 weeks out of action - and quite frankly, most of them have seen little or no improvement, or initial improvement, only to find it returns two-fold within a year.

The best helpful thing I have found when I have been really struggling with it, is to wear the hand splints with the metal support in at night. They hold the writs in a position that encourages good blood flow and support. Other than that, ibuprofen for anti-inflammatories, and be strict about breaks from activities you know aggravate wrist strain (don't even touch that one guys!). Also be very careful to not confuse Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with good old RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury). You do something long enough and you will strain that part of the body. Operating a mouse in the Arcade for hours on end will do this to you - won't it Grumbles? LOL)

 

I was thinking that one of those mouse pads would help. I will get one today and test it out And the pain is only in the right rist(mouse hand) and is only in the wrist. Apparently if it is carpal tunnel it moves up the forearm or down to the fingers. I currntly have my wrist in some sort of brace I had in the house which is making it difficult for me to type

 

I also believe that stretching helps:

http://dohs.ors.od.nih.gov/images/wrist-stretch-up.jpg << Inner forearm stretch

http://dohs.ors.od.nih.gov/images/wrist-stretch-down.jpg << Outer forearm stretch

These are ones I found effective for the wrists/forearms.

 

Sometimes I have a sore wrist, but put that down to my poor golf swing
But yes, Lev it is only a matter of time before i get some kind of repetitive strain due to the fact i spend hours in the MG Arcade.
I would have thought that back injuries are more prevalent than wrist injuries, as poor posture by slouching over a desk cause more problems. Perhaps Carpal Tunnel is related to Spinal movements?

 

Nice bracelet Mada...and is that red nail polish on your fingernails? LOL

On a more serious note rolleyes My wife had the carpal tunnel surgery 10 years ago. She still has some symptoms of it and the doctor wanted another go at it. No chance! She says the irritation of it is not worth the pain of the surgery again. I also have it (due to years as a finisher/cabinet maker) My right arm would sometimes go completely numb, but tingly. I found that straightening your arm and wrist periodically helps, as does streching them like Mada said. Braces can help, too, as Lev pointed out. At night especially. That is when I am bothered most. My entire arm will go to sleep and become painfully numb.

 

Wait 'til you see the OTHER pics from that shoot!

 

I'm kinda scared that I made that joke now. And confusingly curious.

 

this is much more likely to be RS. carple tunnel usually arises because of physical strain such as repetitive lifting or pulling. i suffered from it once, and was told i needed surgery. the pain itself wasn't so much of a problem as the fact that one or other of my hands would simply stop working. i was working on an elderly mentally ill ward at the time. fortunately i was only on a three month stint, and before i was scheduled for surgery i finished that block. within days/weeks of stopping spending my day lifting and shifting, i was cured!! i have never had it since.

so for all those who may face injury related surgery, sometimes you can simply change what you are doing.

as far as RSI goes, there has been enough publicity about this now for people to be aware of the possibilities. look after yourself. be kind to your body.

 

Another option, but not a cure, is to teach yourself to use the mouse left-handed.
I did, and find this a good idea as you don't have to release the mouse to type something as your right hand is still free. :major
It will also reduce the strain on your right hand over time. :cool Bazza

PS: Google link about ergonomic mousepads.

http://www.google.com.au/search?as_...as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&as_rights=&safe=images
Baz

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Is carpal tunnel a branch off from RSI?

 

after a week of using the new mouse pad and using some of the tips given the pain has gone away. I do feel some pain though if I do somthing that involves alot of wrist motion such as shoot a basketball