RSI = Mouse Syndrome
The mouse has been a favourite standard computer peripheral in many offices and homes for well over 20 years now. Unfortunately, using a mouse involves many repetitive movements with the fingers, hands and the arms. This serious drawback has caused many people to suffer from conditions called Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) or Trigger Finger, both more commonly referred to as the Mouse Syndrome.
Mouse Syndrome Symptoms
Who could believe that such a cute little mouse can cause so much pain ? Regrettably, working with a mouse requires repetitive clicks along with distorted angles of the hand and arm when trying to clutch and drag. After lengthy amounts of time, this can result in soreness of the fingers, hands, arms and even shoulders which can in turn lead to serious injuries involving tendon inflammation. Hence, the risk of suffering from the Mouse Syndrome is greatly increased. Some of the painful symptoms of this disorder are:
- tingling or numbness of the fingers,
- the “ slept-on-my-arm-all-night-long” sensation,
- soreness, stiffness or burning sensation in the hand, wrist and forearm,
- the pointer "scrolling" finger catching or locking in a bent position (a definite Trigger Finger symptom)
How to prevent it
Improper working habits can lead to strain and pain. Therefore, the most important thing to consider when at your computer station is to maintain straight lines: straight back, loose straight shoulders, and keeping your hands, arms, wrists in a straight line with the keyboard (and not in a downward position which is commonly believed to be right). If there is an angle anywhere, friction occurs between the muscle and the tendons which can lead to stress, inflammation and injury.
Alas, preventions are not cures for someone who is already suffering from Repetitive Strain Injury or the Trigger Finger. But preventing an injury goes a long way in ensuring a healthy future. Mouse Syndrome prevention tips include:
- avoiding bad posture positions when working with your computer,
- shortening lengthy computer sessions,
- taking breaks while working,
- regularly changing positions,
- using keyboard shortcuts as much and as often as possible,
- repeatedly alternating from the mouse to another computer peripheral, or
- frequently exercising and stretching the muscles of fingers, hands and arms..
The perfect alternative
Drawing tablets, interactive pen displays, and more recently touch tablets, are perfect solutions to Repetitive Strain Injuries and the Trigger Finger. Instead of constantly clicking with the mouse, one can tap with a
pen, or a with finger (on Bamboo models), to accomplish the same mouse tasks such as navigating, scrolling and zooming. Furthermore, using ergonomic padded pens significantly relieves tension and fatigue associated with long hours of mouse-clicking and mouse-grabbing.
Employing a variety of working methods are also excellent means of reducing and even preventing Repetitive Strain Injury and Trigger Finger. Now, add the fact that you can just as easily place the graphic tablet on your knees as on your the desktop, or draw directly in a any position that best suits you on an adjustable LCD monitor screen with Wacom’s Cintiq interactive pen displays, you then have the makings of a perfectly comfortable, safe and efficient working environment.
With a mouse, the same muscles are being used in the same positions for lengthy periods. On the contrary, with a pen or with your fingers, you bring into play many muscles in the hand, in the arm, and in the fingers on a regular basis. Plus, pens allow you to keep your forearm in a relaxed position, thus relieving friction and strain on the muscles and the tendons.
Many Mouse Syndrome sufferers, having purchased Wacom drawing tablets
for computer related and artistic reasons, were astounded to discover
that the pain and discomforts of Repetitive Strain Injury or Trigger Finger, slowly melted away within weeks.
The pen is mightier than the mouse
Wacom’s patented Penabled Technology (featuring lightweight, perfectly balanced ergonomic pens which function wirelessly and without any batteries) gives you the freedom to move comfortably and the way you want. You can also easily program and personalize the buttons on the pens to function as the right and left click buttons of the mouse or assign shortcuts according to your needs.
The graphic tablet and its accompanying pen replace many keyboard functions and provide numerous shortcuts at the tip of your fingers, all important measures in preventing Repetitive Strain Injury and Trigger Finger. For those who are avid mouse lovers, most Wacom drawing tablets come with a cordless, battery-free and ball-free mouse. By frequently alternating between the pen and the mouse, you greatly reduce the chance of suffering from serious injury.
Furthermore, the active surface of the Wacom drawing tablets perfectly mirror the computer monitor, thus allowing you to rapidly control the whole screen in just a few quick movements. Again, the tension in the fingers, hands and arm are greatly reduced, thus helping to prevent or even stop the progress of Repetitive Strain Injury or Trigger Finger.
An ounce of prevention
The dreaded Mouse Syndrome is no laughing matter and is truly something to shake a finger at. It can be a very painful and bothersome experience, enough to alter any career involving computers. If the pain persists, surgery is often recommended.
Even if your symptoms are not serious enough to warrant a change in computer habits, efficiency, accuracy, productivity, and health all suffer when figners, hands and wrists start to ache. Remember that there are no magic cures nor are there any definite and quick remedies for Repetitive Strain Injury or Trigger Finger yet. So, it is far better to prevent than
to regret.
The information in this article is not medical advice. The tips provided, based on experience and personal research, are but an overall approach to Mouse Syndrome prevention. Please contact your physician immediately if you believe you are experiencing any effects of Repetitive Strain Injury or Trigger Finger.
by
R. Sinclair
Certified Emergency Medical Technician
Personal note from the author:
I do not suffer from Mouse Syndrome myself, but an arm injury has made computer tasks nigh impossible. Purchasing a Wacom Intuos3 6x8 has definitely helped me use my computer in an easier and less painful way.
Sources:
Computer Related Repetitive Strain Injury by Darmstadt Technical University Studies
The R.S.I. Page by Paul Marxhausen http://eeshop.unl.edu/rsi.html
Repetitive Strain Injury, Wikipedia.org
Trigger Finger, About.com
Trigger Finger, AAOS.org
Trigger Finger, www.handsurgery.com/trigger.html
Safe Computing Tips www.safecomputingtips.com
Harvard RSI Action www.rsi.deas.harvard.edu/preventing.html
Sound Feelings www.soundfeelings.com/free/carpal_tunnel.htm
Here's more info on RSI or the Mouse Syndrome 
