Sore arm and Shoulder

[Scoobystu]

I use CAD on a dailly basis (over the last 4 years) and over the last month or so I have developed pain in my right shoulder, arm, hand and neck. I went to a physiotherapist who thinks it may be the beginning of RSI but is unsure at the moment.

I have bought a wrist pad for both keyboard and mouse to help prevent me from straining my forearms constantly.

Is there anything else out there that I could use that would allow me to work without using a mouse, as I think it my be the cause of the strain.

Thanks

Stu

 

[PSE]

Screen Pens and Trackballs are about the only other input devices that I have seen. As for use with CAD, you might find a trackball that you like. Screen pens are to "stupid" of an input device giving you no shortcuts. I haven't heard of anyone using or trying a joystick.

Take breaks more often if you can. It will help lower the potential of cumulative trauma and is better for the eyes as well.

Regards,

 

[knobhead]

I used to get that from my mouse. The solution I found was to use a microsoft trackball explorer. It's a trackball, and takes a bit of getting used to, but because you can use it with different parts of your hand, you tend to not use the same position all the time and so you don't have that sort of tense hunched shoulder position that using a traditional mouse tends to give you. The design supports the whole of your hand as well - I find my little finger dangling in space with a regular mouse which cramps my arm after a while.

Sometimes you might move it with just your finger tips, other times the palm of your hand and so on, the change of positions makes a huge difference. Also, you can rest the whole of your forearm on the desk and you don't have to move your whole arm like to do with a mouse.


Excessive accuaracy is a sign of poor breeding. -Socrates.

 

[MadMango]

This is something I replied with a long time ago, but I think it can apply here.

Many times it's just not the pointing device you are using, there are other culprits. Take a look at your whole work environment.

Monitor
Your monitor should be in a position that allows you to not have to bend your neck to view it, meaning not too high, not too low. It shoud also be arms length away. Have the screen tilted so it is perpendicular to your line of sight (unless surrounding glare is a problem).

Chair
You should sit fully "into" your chair. I notice many people like to sit on the edge of the chair, this puts a strain on your back and neck. Your thighs should be parallel to the floor, with your shins perdendicular to the floor. If they are not, then you are sitting too low or high.

Posture
Type with your forearms parallel or slightly angled up to the keyboard. Don't hunch over your keyboard. Keep your shoulders square, back straight, etc.

As to pointing devices, I've moved entirely away from the mouse, and have gone to a Logitect Marble Mouse (not a typical trackball). Now I don't have to drag my whole arm around the desktop. When I move the pointer, only my fingers do any work. I hghly recommend them.

[green]"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."[/green]
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[GregLocock]

I'm not sure how exerting additional pressure on your wrist (ie using a rest) is going to help.

The recommendation I have seen is NOT to rest your arm on anything, which works for me (I have the keyboard on the edge of the desk). However I also find it very comfortable to push the keyboard and mouse well onto the desk, and resting my entire forearm on the desk, although still not applying any pressure to the wrist.

Also try swapping mouse hands. It takes a couple of days before it stops driving you bananas, and you may have to drop the acceleration.







Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[bpeirson]

An alternative to a screen pen is a tablet pen. Works like a pen on a special mousepad or tablet. Graphire has several models on the market featuring wireless and batteryless technology and each pen tablet comes with a mouse as well.

The pens have programmable buttons and both ends can be used on the tablet. One end for inking and the other for erasing.

One drawback I have found is that the tablet will sense the pen or mouse even when it is lifted from the tablet. I have to lift the mouse higher than normal if the cursor quits scrolling and I need to move the mouse to the top of the pad again. I usually alternate between the pen and a standard mouse rather than the Graphire mouse.

 

[Scoobystu]

So far I have swapped the hand that I use the mouse with. It was a bit tricky at first but am getting used to it now. The pain in the shoulder has not gone away but it's not getting any worse. Thinking of investing in a trackball to see if that helps. The monitor is now raised up and am doing forearm stretches every hour to relive the pain.

Hopefully it will go away so I can get back to normal.

 

[knobhead]

The other thing with a trackball of course, is that you don't need a surface to use it on. You can put it on your knee and sit right back in your chair - maybe put your feet up..


Excessive accuaracy is a sign of poor breeding. -Socrates.

 

[IRstuff]

There may also be something idiosyncratic about your posture. I've noticed that unless I'm leaning waaay back, I tend to hunch up my mouse shoulder.

So, in addition to forearm stretches, you may need to do shoulder and back exercises as well.

TTFN

 

[MadMango]

Can you pass a requisition through purchasing for a masseuse?


[green]"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."[/green]
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[Scoobystu]

I think you could be onto something there IRstuff. I have noticed that I do tend to hunch myself up. It doesn't help that I have to keep looking at the keyboard now and again to see the keys. Maybe I should learn to type properly.

I placed the order for a masseuse and a 6'5" bloke built like the Hulk folded me in half...

 

[IRstuff]

At least he didn't try to walk on your back, or did he? ;-)

TTFN

 

[flamby]

I have been victim of sore mouse-hand. I tried a few things which have reduced my pain to allowable limits.

Reduce the double click speed.

Also change the desktop to internet style (single click).

Move you hands away from mouse as soon as your click is over and you haven't thought your next step yet. Don't think with your hand over the mouse.

Accelerate the mouse, so that you dont have to move your hand a larger distance.

Try to use the mouse only with fingers- palm not touching the mouse.

Use arrow keys or page up/dn to scroll up or down. Not mouse.


Ciao.

 

[corus]

RSI has been covered elsewhere on this site. Your employer should ensure you have sufficient time away from the computer, about 10 minutes in every hour, and ensure that they have made every effort to prevent RSI as they are liable for the industrial injuries incurred. Consult your lawyer also.

corus

 

[Scoobystu]

I bought myself a Microsoft Track ball explorer. bit early to tell if it's going to help in the long term but I quite like it.

One problem I do have is when rotating a model in Solidworks. You need to press the scroll button and move the ball at the same time. If you have zoomed into the component and you press the scroll button it wants to move the item around the screen as if you were looking through a document. It is a bit annoying as sometime it works and sometimes it doesn't. Is there anything I can do to stop this?

 

[Scoobystu]

Cancel that last message I have found how to switch it off. Desperation came to the rescue.

 

[FalsePrecision]

To add my 2 cent's worth - how's come so many mice are cheap, made in China "toys"?
I always shop carefully for a mouse that is 1. Optical 2. Not made by Logitech or MicroSquish 3. Has a light touch for depressing the buttons.
Flamby has some good tips. Me, I have my setup so that the heel of my mouse hand rests on the table, and doesn't move. The pointer motion can go all over the monitor screen by just moving the mouse with fingertips.
I don't recommend consorting with lawyers. You may never find another employer after suing your current employer.