repetitive motion injury, or, I never thought it could happen to me....

[mike_c]

Any advice from DUers who've switched to ergometric keyboards? What works and what doesn't work? My wrists and hands hurt all the time now. Computers are my major professional tools, so barring a job change, I've got to find a way to live with it.

[skygazer]

1. Physical therapy helps

They can teach you the best ways to work and give you exercises to ease the pain. I have problems from a life of swinging hammers and that sort of thing but pt helped a lot. It sure beats surgery.

[punpirate]

2. If it's just the result of inflammation...

... wrist restraints and physical therapy can help. Long-term damage probably requires surgery. Only a professional can tell for sure.

Cheers.

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. Wear the wrist restraints

and wear wrist splints at night. Also re-learn how to grip your mouse and use your keyboard using a straight wrist - wearing the wrist restraints for three or four weeks will help you learn this.

Had the problem myself several years ago. It resolved itself with some anti-inflamatories, some pt, some wrist restrains and some new pc habits.

I tried the ergometric keyboards without much success. Nothing wrong with the boards and I know some who use them quite successfully. I just found them too cumbersome. Guess I am too familiar with the old typewriter type keyboard interface.

[mike_c]

4. thanks-- right now I'm relying on ibuprofen...

...and have hoping it would go away-- I've been doing this for 15 years without any prior problems-- but now the pain is reaching the point where it's impacting other areas of my life. I've had to cut back on bicycling because of wrist pain, and my yard is a mess because I can't push the mower or handle the weed whacker for any length of time.

[mcar]

5. Sorry for your pain

I've been there too. I make my living on a computer (I'm a freelance writer) and have a pinched nerve in my elbow that causes pain there and pain and numbness in my wrist and fingers.

I had surgery 2 years ago to move the nerve away from the elbow. It seemed to work for a time but now I'm back in the pain/numbness cycle again. I'm seeing the surgeon again next month.

Physical therapy may help for you and definitely use the wrist brace -- at night too. It's a nuisance but it really does help. Ice helps me some too.

Good luck.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. Taking extra vitamin B6 can help

as circulation is very important ...nerve roots need good blood flow to help them pass through the very small areas they pass through..B6 can help with the synovitis (swelling of nerves) that occurs when they get irritated