Ergonomics Computer

17 year old getting RSI from using a computer mouse?

I think I'm getting RSI in my wrist and forearm from using my mouse.Its vital that I use computers for my education,jobs ect and I'm only 17.It worries me as RSI is apparently serious if left untreated.I bought a new mouse, a more ergonomic one which I'll get for Christmas this year.Should I go to the doctor about this?The use of my wrist is essential for my futur career as an art teacher,as I love to read,write,draw,paint,use my laptop etc etc.Using a laptop pad/mouse thing doesn't help at all.What should I do?

Public Comments

1. See your health care provider as soon as possible (neurologist). Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause pain at the wrist. In addition, this syndrome can cause pains to shoot down in the fingers or up into the forearm. Usually there is a numb feeling in the fingers as if they were asleep. In this syndrome, the median nerve is trapped and squeezed as it passes through the fibrous carpal tunnel in the front of the wrist. The key to management of wrist pain is splinting. The strategy is to rest the joint in the position of best function. Wrist splints made of plastic or aluminum are available at hospital supply stores and many drug stores. Any that fit you are probably all right. No major pain medication should be necessary. Acetaminophen and similar medications are all right but probably won't help much. If you know what triggered the pain, work out a way to avoid that activity. Common sense means listening to the pain message. If the problem persists after six weeks, see the doctor. As more people type on computers, there have been more worries about carpal tunnel syndrome. Research continues, but there seem to be two important factors: stress, especially from pressure to type quickly or without interruption, and poor hand positioning. Take brief rests, and consider using a different keyboard to help avoid pain. For proper typing position: keep your elbow at a 90 degree angle, with your forearms parallel to the floor; Keep your wrists in a neutral position, and use a wrist rest for support; and keep your feet flat on the floor. I hope this helps you. And good luck.
2. Star spark, you may be getting repetitive stress injury problems from the use of the computer or mouse but it is usually poor posture that is at the bottom of the problem. Do you slump when sitting there? Do you hunch over the keyboard after using it for a while? Are your arms stretched out when using the mouse? Is your head well forward of where it should be? An answer of yes to any of these could set up the problem. What you need to do is make your work station more ergonomic. You need a chair that has wheels, can swivel, is height adjustable, has arm rests, can tilt backwards, has a lumbar back support, and has a high back. The height of the chair should be determined by the angle of your hips and knees. Set the chair so that the feet can lie flat on the floor while your knees are slightly higher than the hips. The arms should be able to hang down comfortably at your sides. The screen should be around eye level making your head stay erect. The wrists should be relaxed and slightly bent backwards. You can also use a wrist pad to reduce some of the stain. Get up about every 20 minutes and just stretch and walk around your desk and then return. This will help to refresh your posture and relax your arms. Make sure that you have good posture all of the time. If you need help with this see a physical therapist who would be able to help you.