Wrist Braces

Looking for comfortable ones

[AAnnAArchy]

I'm looking for comfortable wrist braces that I can wear while I'm working. All the ones I've tried are fine, unless I type. Is there a way to get comfort *and* support? I even had custom made ones when I was in Carpal Tunnel rehab, but they're not very comfortable for working.

Any ideas? Preferences? My hands/elbows scream out in pain, but they'd be happy to just mumble in gratitude.

[vkaryl]

You might look in the crafts stores and quilting stores. They sell something called "hand-eze" mitts, which leave your fingers free, are made of nicely supportive stuff (uh - don't have a clue what it's called - something like those gloves that silly quarterback used to advertise), and have a heavier-weight band around the wrist. They support and do light massage, keep your hands warm and more supple. My sister had incipient RSI in one wrist and elbow (same arm), started using the pair I sent her and hasn't had any further problems.

[AAnnAArchy]

Sounds great. We have a Michael's nearby and I'll go check it out. I hope I can get out of there with just a glove and not cute beads, a picture frame, some on sale item I don't need, etc.

[grandpa]

Not exactly a brace but would it help if anything was changed with the keyboard? Mine has a basic extension that helps with wrist position... ...it helps..mumble..

[pendanticist]

Only have a sec. Please, if you don't have an ergonomic board in front of you, get one.

I went ergo when MS first brought them out, and I will never, ever go back.

All my wrist problems went completely away.

[AAnnAArchy]

Unfortunately (or possibly fortunately, or it would be worse), I already have an ergonomic split keyboard. In fact, I can't even type on a regular keyboard.

[Rachel]

Ann, Michael's usually has a 40% off coupon in the paper every weekend, if you can wait until then. :)

[AAnnAArchy]

I actually went to Michael's this evening. I'm sorry to say that the thing they had there more resembled someone cutting fingerholes into pantyhose. It definitely wasn't what Vkaryl was talking about (I found the Handeze Plus online, so I knew what it looked like) and it had a seam right across the wrist. Ow. It seemed like it could be comfortable, but not for someone who rests their wrist on anything.

I bought an ACE wrist brace for now, but I think I'll try to order the Handeze online too. I have some custom molded braces, but it's almost impossible to do any work with them on.

[Paco]

I've got one called "carpal lock", I think it's made by anatech inc. You should be able to use it for work as the support is on top. I use it at home when my wrist is worse than average, and it works very well.

[AAnnAArchy]

The Carpal Lock Wrist Support looks really interesting. I like the ability to get more air circulating around my hand. Some of the braces get so hot.

Thanks!

[disgust]

you may also want to consider switching to a dvorak keyboard layout, might help with wrist problems even more :)

[marcs]

Came down with a (as of yet undiagnozed) condition which affects both hands/lower arms about a year ago.

Got tested for CP and all of that. No-one seems to know what I have.

Anway, what helped *a lot* (when not working, splints work better then) are Thermoskin gloves. Only thing is, I seem to be allergic to them and my hands break out in bad rashes if I wear them too long. Their product does have a disclamer about rashes, so it wasn't 100% unexpected.

If I could wear those night-time (without the rashes), I'd be in much better shape. Maybe you won't have the rash problem...

Still trying to find a replacement for Celebrex, 400mg/day of that was a great help too. May have to go back on that.

Marc

[marcs]

Before I forget, found some decent wrist braces recently, got them from AliMed. They have all sorts of goodies. Of the splints/braces that I use, theirs seem to enable me to work longer before the pain gets too bad.

[europeforvisitors]

I never did find any wrist braces that I could use while typing, but I solved my wrist-pain problem with a combination of an ergonomic chair (one with armrests) and a Maltron ergonomic keyboard. I'd tried a Dvorak keyboard layout, but that didn't help because my pain was the result of stretching my hands across the keys. Maltron's keyboard eliminates the need for stretching by placing the keys in concave groups; the fingers and thumbs fall naturally on the keys when typing. See:

[maltron.com...]

I wasn't able to type much more than two hours a day without pain before switching to the Maltron keyboard; it took me about a month to become an accomplished touch typist on the odd-shaped keyboard and the proprietary Malt layout. That was probably 10 or more years ago, and I haven't had any problems since.

(BTW, Maltron keyboards are now available in the U.S. from a manufacturer in Chicago. I think the U.S. versions are somewhat cheaper than the British originals.)

[Essex_boy]

Ihave a gel filled mouse pad that raises the height of the wrist position so it no longer hurts to use teh computer.

[tristo]

I had a specialist come in to the offic and modify my work space from the feet up. Just simple stuff, but my feet, and legs are now in the correct position, which puts my spine in a comfortable spot which allows me to relax my shoulders so that my elbows rest on my new padded (to the correct height) arm rests, and my keyboard and mouse now sit just at the right spot for my hands to naturally fall on them.

It took three months of fairly intense back and shoulder pain to move me to action. I highly recommend getting it sorted out sooner rather than later. It's very basic stuff. Any decent chiropractor or physio would be able to help you set it up.

[nutsandbolts]

Same here Essex_boy. Before that, I was in pain after years stuck in front of a PC. They are lifesavers!

[Christopher C]

man that's scaring me. Right now my wrists feel fine but after about 3 years of this lifestyle my massage therapist has told me basically I'm "chronic" in terms of my neck/back problems unless I change my lifestyle.

Right now I know I'm doing nothing right in terms of my workspace. Hunched over a mac 12" laptop w/ poor back support.

My wrists are fine but I'm 28 and basically am used to the shoulder/neck pain.

Anyways, my name is Chris and I'm a workaholic. Should I be legitimately worried and trying to do something about it now (and what?). Sorry ANarchy for hijacking the thread, hopefully it's not too far off topic.

Chris

[rj87uk]

I had a specialist come in to the offic and modify my work space from the feet up. Just simple stuff, but my feet, and legs are now in the correct position

So, What is the proper way?

[bts111]

My wrists and hands are shocking and I am under 30.

I use a Microsoft Optical 1.0 and it is great.

There is no lateral movement as the mouse is just a platform with a ball on the left handside for movement. So you are only using your thumb and forefinger.

I also learnt to use the mouse with my other hand. Swapping hands every few hours can really improve painful hands and wrists.

Keeping fit by lifting weights, three times a week, can also help.

Also, get a massage at least once a week. It will fix shoulder and neck pain after a few sessions and is also very relaxing.

Cheers
bts111

[edited by: bts111 at 10:16 am (utc) on Feb. 16, 2005]

[AAnnAArchy]

I don't feel hijacked at all. We could just call it Webmaster Pain - How Do I Get Rid of It?

I have Carpal Tunnel, Thoracic Outlet, Epicondylitis, back problems, neck problems, etc. I'm all about the pain. It's one of the reasons I'm self-employed, so I can take frequent breaks.

So, any info about keyboards, chairs, positions, exercises, etc., are all okay by me.

The Maltron keyboard looks really interesting, but that's a pricey little bugger - $395. If it worked for me, it would be worth it. I wish I could find one to try.

[Christopher C]

not doing a whole lot to alleviate my fears here. I'm beginning to feel quite lucky that I haven't encountered more problems to date.

As rediculous (or familiar) as it sounds I'll get so into things I'm often passing up meals in order to get something done. The trip to the chiropractor or massage therapist is something I'm exceptionally good at procrastinating away also.

Dunno what to say beyond that this thread really is scarey and/or eyeopening. Probably by morning I'll have forgotten all about it and if neccessary popped a few advil to get rid of the cramps and back to work. :/

Were you guys/gals in similar boats in the past and what would you do differently now if you could go back?

[RonPK]

Two years ago I woke up every morning with pain in my hands and lower arms. Decided it was time for a change:

• new chair, ergonomic design
  
• raised the monitor to eye level by putting it on a 35 cm / 13" stack of books
  
• MS split keyboard
  
• swap the mouse every month or so
  
• installed a very annoying but effective piece of software called PrevRSI. It forces me to take breaks. Often. No more 4 hour PC sessions for me.
  
• physiotherapist taught me exercises aimed at improving blood circulation, particularly by stretching muscles in shoulder and neck
  
• stopped working too much.

I'm pretty sure that I'm still in business because of all this. Whenever I break the rule by working in the weekend or in the evening, the pain returns.

[Procyon]

"Keeping fit by lifting weights"

That is the best advice in this entire thread.

"I have Carpal Tunnel, Thoracic Outlet, Epicondylitis, back problems, neck problems, etc. I'm all about the pain. It's one of the reasons I'm self-employed, so I can take frequent breaks."

Disclaimer: I don't mean to come across as insensitive to your situation here, so please don't take it in this way.

You have that many problems, and aren't looking into doing something *away* from computers? It's all about quality of life. I don't care how good an internet income is, if you have those sorts of injuries from or related to computer use, for heavens sake cease computer use for a while.

There are heaps of alternative ways of earning income. Not all are easy, I agree. But look to the future - if you keep up what you're doing, things will get worse. Do you really want to be crippled later in life?

I would rather work 8 hours a day cleaning toilets if it enabled me to keep my health, longterm.

Again, that is my take, please don't take it as a personal attack. :)

[cooldoug]

I hope not:)

[SlyOldDog]

I had back/neck trouble and I found the only solution is a good workout at least twice per week.

Add to that it turns your flab into a washboard and it's not such a bad deal.

[claus]

as for mice, i can recommend a track ball in stead of a mouse - i've been using these for a while and they're much better as you don't have to move your arm at all. The precision is also way greater once you get used to it.

Currently i have the "Logitech Cordless Trackman Wheel" but there are others, eg. by logitech, microsoft, or kensington.

Another tool that i have used (and this one's even a bit better, imho) is a thing known as "MouseTrapper" - that's really a wonderful invention, as it places your mouse navigation just below your keyboard and provides wrist support at the same time. Go check that one out (the "classic" version) - it will look odd at first sight, and it takes all of an hour or so to get used to, but it works small wonders.

[johnser]

I used to have terrible wrist problems up to about 3 years ago - Then I got a tablet like graphic designers use

http**://www.wacom.com/graphire/index.cfm

Its a mouse in the shape of a pen & while it takes a bit of getting used to, I don't use my mouse anymore and my wrist is fine.

To anyone with wrist problems, get it!
J
PS: you can also send me $10 for the tip ;)

[mat]

Confirm what johnser said - have been using a Wacom for years, helped incredibly with neck and shoulder pain.

Tend to wear them out pretty quickly, but just a few minutes with a mouse and I can feel the taloned-claw forming.

They're not just for graphics.

[grelmar]

I have an ergonomic desk from IKEA, I think it's called the Krister. It was stunningly cheap, (around 50$) - it's made entirely out of metal and it's one of those fantastic examples of simple industrial design that really, really works. Made a huge difference.

The other things I do:

Get up and pace around every hour or so, keeps things from locking up. I'm a smoker (yeah, yeah, I know - it's a nasty habit) - but I can't smoke in the house, so when I crave a ciggy, it's a good cue for me to get up and move around a bit.

Also, I'm big into home reno (carpentry was my second, or was it third? career), and devote at least one day a week to some good old fashioned labor.

And something that's really made a difference: My once a week swim. The wife and I head down to the local leisure center, which has a Wave Pool, and splash around and run up the stairs to the waterslides for a couple of hours. It's actually cheaper than a movie, and swimming is fantastic excercise. It's also driving me to cut back on my smoking and work towards quitting, because I'm way too competitive to let my wife be able to swim for a greater distance underwater.

Overall, good furniture helps, but when it gets right down to it, I think the regular physical activity is the key. I'm really big on swimming, because it's a low impact sport, and provides an excelent all-body workout.