Hi Mark. Can’t resist helping you with that tight wrist or any pain
at all coming from the use of a computer mouse. I’m prone to such
things, so with my current laptop set-up, I took preventive measures
to start. Have a gel pad with wrist support, a trac-ball mouse
which prevents any muscle fatigue from that, since you really only
use your fingers, relaxing wrist and arm most of the time. Beyond
that, you can find a way with a store bought extention armrest to
keep your forearm and elbow supported and level with the mouse. No
strain, no pain. It’s great ! Might work for some bench work as
well. Think about it, and happy mousing !
One caveat about trackballs: I used the wrong type of trackball and
ended up in physical therapy.
A regular trackball is centered so it can be manipulated by four
fingers. Mine was set on the left side of the device so it would be
manipulated by my right thumb. Big mistake! Thumbs weren’t meant to
move in big circles all day long. I developed “deQuiverain’s
Tendonitis,” which required ultrasound treatments and a splint to
immobilize my wrist.
I’ve always disliked pointer-based systems for their
inefficiency–your hand is always jumping from keyboard to mouse and
back–but now I consider them worse than inefficient. They cause
injuries.
Janet, I cannot comfortably use either a trackball or a mouse. I have
used a ‘trackpad’ for many years with no repetitive stress. A trackpad
only requires a VERY small movement with ONE fingertip. You may
contact me offline if you have any ??.
David Barzilay
Lord of the Rings
607 S Hill St Ste 850
Los Angeles, CA 90014-1718
213-488-9157
If you have a Windows computer, everything a mouse or trackball does
can be done with key combinations. Also many other things that they
can’t do as well. Microsoft has a complete list on their website.
Search for ‘keyboard shortcuts’ using their search function and you
will get all the app keys too. You can escape the mousetrap.