Injuries and CTS

[Michelle Vina-Baltsas <Michelle_Vina-Baltsas -at- US -dot- CRAWCO -dot- COM>]

This thread is very appropriate, and one that I can respond to first hand
because I have bilateral CTS.  I would like to share a few of the things
that I have changed in my life, both at work and at home, that have helped
to relieve much of the discomfort of CTS.  As several other TW have already
mentioned, get an ergonomic keyboard.  In my case, it offered almost
immediate relief.  The other ergonomic hardware that is worth checking out
is a trackball mouse.  I have a Logitech trackball mouse, and although
everyone here makes fun of it 'cause it's big and looks kinda funny, it
works!!!  Fortunately, my company paid for my office hardware , but I was
on my own for my workstation at home (not a big deal, and worth every
penny!).

Also, my orthopedic doctor recommended that I only wear my wrist guards at
night.  Apparently, when we sleep we tend to fall into a fetal position,
which causes our wrists to curl/rotate downward, putting lots of stress on
our already stressed "tunnels."  Again, I'm not a doctor, but I have found
this to be very helpful.

Lastly, take brakes from your desk to get the blood flowing back to your
extremities!!!  This was suggestion I was lucky to get from an ergonomic
engineer.

Be well,
Michelle





Suzette Seveny <sseveny -at- PETVALU -dot- COM> on 02/11/99 02:45:38 PM

Please respond to Suzette Seveny <sseveny -at- PETVALU -dot- COM>

To:   TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
cc:    (bcc: Michelle Vina-Baltsas/CRAWFORDCO/US)
Subject:  Voice Software, Injuries and CTS




All the suggestions I've received have been extremely informational.  I
think I
might go ahead and try out some voice recognition software, including but
not
limited to Dragon Naturally Speaking.

The best solution to CTS is not to develop it in the first place.  So, all
the
suggestions of VR software, split keyboards, etc. are excellent ones.
Surgery,
while recommended by the doctors, was never an option to me.  I believe any
surgery for something like this is stupid(IMHO), unless you are going to
change
the behaviour that caused the problem in the first place.  I have seen many
people redevelop CTS after surgery, because their working habits remained
the
same.

I experienced almost 100% improvement by using a split keyboard, and a
totally
ergonomic work environment - chair, desk, mouse, etc. - the works.
 Unfortunately, the company currently employing me will not let me use my
own
furniture and/or equipment, and does not believe in investing in ergonomic
furniture for their employees.  Several people I work with are complaining
of
symptoms that suggest CTS, while one person has both hands braced.

I have been here for almost a year now, and just recently my hands have
started
to ache.  I know from past history, that the aching is a precursor to
excruciating pain again, so I have to start doing some re-thinking.
 Unfortunately, this company is violently opposed to telecommuting, so all
my
expensive, ergonomic furniture is sitting useless at home.

If anybody works for a company that will support ergonomic environments, do
yourself a favour, and get all that you can.  As so many people on this
list
have mentioned, it really does make a difference.

The activities I mentioned giving up in my last post are things like
vacuuming
(vibrations hurt), peeling vegetables, carrying heavy bags, shoveling, and
needlecrafts.  Needlecrafts is the only activity I miss :)

Suzette Seveny
Markham, Ontario, Canada
sseveny -at- petvalu -dot- com or suzette -at- yesic -dot- com
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Any opinions expressed are MY opinions.
Feel free to have your own.
Let's agree to disagree
But Please - Don't Flame Me.

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