Ergonomic Mice

[Debbie Fuson]

Here's my problem - I had a regular mouse here at work that I didn't like, so I went digging into my spare parts and came out with a "side" trackball (like the Logitech M570).  I've used a middle-style trackball in the past but didn't like it much.  However, I loved this side one.....until my thumb started to hurt.  So I switched to a trackpad, which was great for a while, but then I started having problems again.

The thumb felt pretty good the week I was at TENCon, but after a week back at work, I'm in pain.  So now I'm on the search for something else.

Lots of strange looking options out there - Evoluent Vertical Mouse, Contour RollerMouse, the HandShoe, the Penclic.  Anyone here ever used one of these weird contraptions?  Are they snake oil or did they actually help?   

[Jeff Golas]

We have several of the Rollermice users seem to like them!

[DebAmstutz]

Sometimes I wonder whether it's the kind of mouse one has or if it's the height of said mouse in relation to your hand.  I've been keyboarding and using mice for nearly 20 years and have never had the hand/wrist problems that many seem to contract from this kind of work. My thought is that the surface on which your mouse rests is too high and your hand is straining at a bad angle.  It might be something to consider.

[Debbie Fuson]

My thought is that the surface on which your mouse rests is too high and your hand is straining at a bad angle.  It might be something to consider.

And that's a good thought, but if height is my issue, too low is more likely.   I've used a keyboard tray for ten years or so.  I attempt to keep it so my elbows can rest on the chair arms as I type, but I'll admit that as I move around, I sometimes end up with the tray closer to my lap. 

[Jeff Golas]

Work from the ground up -

Feet planted on floor
Legs should have a tiny bit of room under your thighs (so that your legs/thigs are not dangling from chair)
Arms should be at 90 degrees when typing, or slightly larger (where keyboard/mouse are a hair under you at 90deg position)
Keyboard should be flat - no legs should ever be used
Mouse should be at same height as keyboard

[Debbie Fuson]

Feet planted on floor - Well, they are planted on a foot rest because I have really short legs!
Legs should have a tiny bit of room under your thighs (so that your legs/thigs are not dangling from chair) - check, with help from the foot rest
Arms should be at 90 degrees when typing, or slightly larger (where keyboard/mouse are a hair under you at 90deg position) - hitting a little more than 90 degrees
Keyboard should be flat - no legs should ever be used - check
Mouse should be at same height as keyboard - check - I'm using a compact keyboard with the trackpad built in.  Very little reach from the keys to the pad.

Maybe I'm just old and defective!   

[JohnGage]

I've used a Kensington Slimblade trackball for many years but I still have problems sitting back in my chair.  In an attempt to overcome this issue I bought into this Kickstarter project.  http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/529738175/gstick-the-mouse-you-hold-like-a-pen-for-pcs-and-m

My thought was that if it works well I might be able to add a flat surface to the arm of my chair and sit back and mouse comfortably.  It has yet to ship so only time will tell.

[Debbie Fuson]

That's pretty cool.  And it comes in purple!   

[Terry Evans]

I switched to a left handed mouse about 8 years ago and my wrist/digit problems disappeared.  It took me about 48 hours to get used to it and it became automatic after that.

My ONLY problem is when I get home and forget how to use the right handed mouse.

I use a logitech mouse specifically for lefties (I am otherwise 100% rightie).

[Jeff Golas]

What worked for me was going out and getting exercise...sometimes its just weakness from just sitting at a desk all day. Your body is made to move and work. I started biking (the pedal powered ones even though I have both) and most issues went away. Several who saw me at the Tencon a few years ago can attest to me wearing 3 braces due to tendonitis issues.

[Jan Regnier]

My son had issues like this and found massage therapy was the ticket.  He does switch between left and right hand to use the mouse (just a plain old right handed mouse) - but the massage therapy has produced the results he needed.  He also plays the guitar which along with "mousing" created the problem.