Repetitive strain injury

iPlaY.NettleS

Australia4310 Posts

November 24 2012 09:45 GMT

I seem to have developed an RSI in my right hand the past couple of days.Some background : i hold the mouse in the right hand and have been using mouse based computers heavily for around 16 years.The pain is not in the wrist but in the tendons of the index and middle finger that you use to push left and right click.

Currently i am typing normally with my left hand and i have my right hand clenched into a fist and just typing with the thumb,all mouse work is done with my left hand for the past couple of days.It is just a continual dull pain along those two tendons.What to do? If things do not improve within a couple of weeks i will need to get a trackball ergonomic mouse or something.Surely i am not the only person around here who has had these problems.

Incze

Romania2058 Posts

November 24 2012 09:48 GMT

You should go to a doctor, there are some meds he could prescribe and maybe some exercises

Walitgon

Australia550 Posts

November 24 2012 10:10 GMT

I play nettles.........

Intro-spectacular under worth of a wholesome filmed stones.

docvoc

United States5491 Posts

November 24 2012 14:46 GMT

Go to a doctor. The fact is that people here can tell you their personal experiences, but it's always going to end with "go to a doctor." So please, get checked out, it won't be hard for them to make you well if you go RIGHT NOW rather than in 2 months.

boomudead1

United States186 Posts

November 24 2012 22:09 GMT

i had this problem b4 when i used a broken mouse. the clicks was just too hard. i guess u can find a mouse that is really sensitive and easy to click. it helps.

unkkz

Norway2196 Posts

November 24 2012 22:18 GMT

I have this in my left hand from playing some movement demanding fps:es such as unreal tournament and tf2, kinda sucks but i'm ok as long as i don't play similar games for too long.

Chef

10810 Posts

November 24 2012 23:21 GMT

Try not using the computer for a couple days, do some very mild stretches with your hands, and see if it feels better. If it does, then just don't play as hard.

If you are pushing yourself to play faster, you're always gonna have inefficient movements at first and some pain, which is nothing to be to scared of because eventually your body becomes used to that kind of motion.

On the other hand, if it doesn't feel better after not using the computer for a few days, then you should see someone who specializes in this area (which your doctor could recommend).

On the internet people are very eager to say "go see a doctor!" at the first sign of a runny nose. There's better safe than sorry and there's wasting a doctor's time and your money. With almost all things the answer is rest and see if it gets better, THEN see a doctor. If that is already the case and you haven't been playing at all, you will probably want to see what kind of tests a doctor can do to determine if it is serious.

Many years ago when I purposely tried to play faster in BW from normally being around 90APM to going to 150 or so, I felt pain especially after a lot of games. These days it doesn't feel bad at all to play 190APM games. Whether that is because the tendons have become stretched to accommodate this level of play or my movements have become more efficient I don't know. However, these days I also hardly play more than once a week if that.

So yeah... basically it is all common sense. Take it easy, if it doesn't feel better, see a professional. Nothing to be really paranoid about. You're not on much of a clock that could make healing impossible if you rested for a few days. It's not a tumor lol.

Mstring

Australia510 Posts

November 25 2012 01:23 GMT

Stretching and self-massage makes a huge difference in recovery for me. I spend around 10 hours a day on the PC so tension patterns form every day. Forearms are easy, you can do them yourself with your other hand! If you've never done it I can give you some tips or a fantastic youtube channel if you're interested in self-maintenance.

iPlaY.NettleS

Australia4310 Posts

November 25 2012 06:11 GMT

Yes, please post the youtube channel.

Bswhunter

Australia954 Posts

November 25 2012 21:18 GMT

#10

I made myself a homemade hand brace out of a scarf and a spoon.
Silly, but effective. If I wear it for about an hour it gets rid of the ache

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