Questions and Answers

L.G from Minneapolis, MN writes... My job requires that I be on the computer 8 hours per day. Over the last several months I have had progressive pain in my wrists and forearms when I type or use my mouse. What can I do to stop this pain? I cannot quit my job.

What L.G is experiencing may be commonly called “cumulative trauma syndrome”. Another words the constant load on the soft tissues in the wrists and hands produce aching, pain, stiffness, and fatigue in the muscles and tendons. L.G. may be experiencing the symptoms of tendonitis, tenosynovitis, or myofascial pain. The easiest solution would be to stop the offending activity and more than likely the symptoms would diminish. This is not realistic for L.G., as he/she has expressed.

I would recommend that L.G. work with the wrists in a neutral position and as close to the body as possible. Changing the arm posture decreases the effects of arm fatigue by shortening the lever arm and creating a more efficient work position. L G. should then evaluate the workstation and make sure that the mouse, keyboard, and computer screen are within a short and efficient reach. The chair should be adjusted to an appropriate height to avoid shoulder, neck, eye, and back strain.

L.G. than needs to frequently interrupt her/his computer work and take some mini breaks. He/she should stop and shake out the wrists and hands. Then a series of stretches to the wrists and hands should be carried out especially moving opposite to the motion that has been sustained. In other words if the fingers are in a “bent” or flexed posture they should be stretched in a “straight” or extended position. If the shoulders and neck are pulled forward then they should be stretched back. These stretches should be held for 20 seconds to allow the muscle and tendons to lengthen. By stretching a balance is restored to the muscles and tissues and tightness and muscle spasm should be eliminated which contribute to the inflammatory pain cycle.
These are some simple solutions that can have a tremendous effect on your work activities. If pain persists L.G. may need further intervention and may benefit from seeing an Orthopedic Physician, and or a Certified Hand Therapist.

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