RSI

When you''re using the mouse, your forearm/wrist/hand should always be horizontal, preferably parallel to the ground. This is much better for you. If you''re not doing this already, sit higher, or raise your seat up!

Also, every 10-20 minutes or so, just shake your wrists really fast (think: dog drying itself from water) to release any tension.

The mouse will destroy you. Get a drawing tablet and use it instead. They''re as easy on the wrist as any pen, and they''re pretty cheap. I got a small one for < $50 CAN

I got the same problem and its worse too. I dont use mouse properly due to bad habit. I am trying to get a Gel mousepad with a swinging base. They go for around 30 Cdn at business depot.

Here goes.

If you've got an RSI two of your fingers will either hurt, or be numb.

Carpal would be the two fingers next to your thumb (index, middle), and cubital would be the two fingers furthest from the thumb (ring, pinky). Carpal is in the wrist and will lead to pain and debilitation from the wrist forward. Cubital is in the elbow, and will lead to pain from the elbow downwards, with the sharpest pain often being in the wrist. If you're experiencing pain or debilitation go see a doctor right away. If you've got a tired feeling or numbness, and what one of the two sets of fingers I've described, you might be able to treat it without seeing a doctor.

If your doctor recommends surgery without doing the above test, get a second opinion from an orthopedic doctor right away.

1st. Work on your ergonomics. Seat placement, changing to a new type of mouse, etc.

2nd. Get a brace and use it on the affected arm. Wrist brace for carpal, elbow brace for cubital. (a wrist brace in combination with an elbow brace can help reduce the pain from cubital).

3rd. Use an anti-inflammatory pain killer. I would suggest something with naproxen in it (Alleve, etc). It is possible to cure an RSI with anti-inflammatories, but I would strongly recommend consulting a doctor before making an attempt, or using this medication for prolonged periods of time.

4th. If you've got a cubital injury wrap/tie a pillow around the affected elbow before going to sleep. This will prevent aggravating the injury during your sleep.



[edited by - pwd on June 8, 2002 6:10:07 PM]

Further to pwd''s reply, if you have asthma or any kind of allergies, see your doctor before taking any anti-inflammatories.

quote:

---

Original post by gregs
Further to pwd''s reply, if you have asthma or any kind of allergies, see your doctor before taking any anti-inflammatories.

---

Agreed. Same with any form of liver problems. Probably best to see a doctor before #3, no matter what.

How bad is playing a guitar for RSI?

quote:

---

Original post by glassJAw
How bad is playing a guitar for RSI?

---

Don''t worry about it unless you are experiencing symptoms right now.

I have had an RSI (of the cubital variety), however I am almost 100% recovered. Without the surgery. Using the treatment described above (using 2000 mg of naproxen - equivalent to 10 alleve per day), braces and sleeping with a pillow wrapped around the arm, the injury was cured over the course of a couple of months. It was very debilitating at it''s worst (I had effectively lost the use of the arm altogether for about a month), but now only causes a mild discomfort a couple of times a year. The only time I worry about medication, etc, for it is when it does flare up, and that''s over the counter painkiller/anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen or alleve). So, it''s not the end of the world that it has been hyped to be. If you''re concerned about it, talk to your doctor. If he gives you a gloom and doom perspective on it, find a better doctor.

And be careful that you are diagnosed properly. The first doctor I saw about it immediately diagnosed me with carpal tunnel syndrome, and wanted to do the surgery right away. Not wanting to go through with the surgery, I got a second opinion, only to discover that if the carpal surgery had been done, it would have done nothing to relieve the condition. Some of the "incurable" cases of carpal tunnel syndrome may well not be carpal injuries at all.