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Make sure to take care of your hands, friends
Thread poster: Anna Augustin
Anna Augustin
Anna Augustin
Germany
Local time: 14:35
English to German
+ ...
Dec 12, 2018

It's interesting, that physicians who specialise in sports medicine see more patients with conditions arising from desk jobs than they see actual atheletes.
I am one of those desk job patients. And I hope that my story will help others in the future.

In early August, I noticed a little tingling in my right middle finger and shortly after, I found a little swelling in my wrist. First, I tried some home remedies for a week or two, but it didn't go away, so I saw a doctor. (Side
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It's interesting, that physicians who specialise in sports medicine see more patients with conditions arising from desk jobs than they see actual atheletes.
I am one of those desk job patients. And I hope that my story will help others in the future.

In early August, I noticed a little tingling in my right middle finger and shortly after, I found a little swelling in my wrist. First, I tried some home remedies for a week or two, but it didn't go away, so I saw a doctor. (Side note: My usual doctor, who I've known since I was born, closed his practice earlier this year and unfortunately died a few weeks ago. Thus, I had to go to a new doctor.)

He looked at my hand, asked me what kind of job I do, and diagnosed tendonitis. It's a condition where the tendons in your wrist get inflamed.

So he prescribed me a splint for my wrist and the technician tried his best to get me a splint that would still allow me to work as much as possible. However, I was told by my doctor not to work for four to six weeks and only do really necessary stuff. Well, fun times for my bank account.

Tendonitis can take up to six or more months to go away, I knew that before. So I wore my splint every day, every night. After six weeks I started working again, but only for a few hours per day. I really didn't want this to get any worse, so I really took my doctor's advice to heart.

After about three months, I went back to my doctor, because still it was not getting significantly better. He prescribed pain killers and anti-inflammatories and told me to come see him again if this wouldn't make it better.

A week ago, I talked to my husband about this and he suggested to go see another doctor, just to get another opinion. So I went to my husband's orthopaedist. Here's that story.

I sat there, he came in, asked me what was wrong. I told him that my doctor diagnosed tendonitis. So the orthopaedist looked at my hand, turned it around, felt the sweeling and looked up to me and said: "Are you serious? Your doctor diagnosed tendonitis?"
"Yes, he did. Why?"
"Well, your doctor better give his license back, because tendonitis would occur on the other side of the hand!"

It turns out that I have a little cystic tumour in my wrist that causes all these symptoms. It pushes down on my tendons and nerves, irritating the tendons and causing the slight tingling and numbness in my fingers.

It's benign, so I don't have to worry about it. However, it did occur because of work. The knuckles rub against one another, causing the gel liquid between them to burst and the liquid flows out, causing the tumour.
He also explained that this type of condition hasn't been fully researched yet and that surgery is only working in about 50% of the cases. So for half of the patients, it just grows back.

Luckily, it is no major issue. I can still work, he also told me plenty of home remedies that work well if it starts to hurt. And if it starts hurting more or less all the time or if it severely handicaps me, we can think about surgery. But it's fairly small and doesn't cause too much of an issue, yet. So he recommended not to get it removed just yet.

So, moral of the story: Make sure to treat your hands, your tools, the best way you can. Stretch your wrists, fingers, arms and shoulders before you start your day at the office. Stretch them during breaks. Stop and take a break if something hurts, apply a warm pad to an aching joint, rest regularly and don't work into the pain.
Some people are more likely to develop conditions like that (Thanks grandma for my great genes when it comes to joints and bones), but we should still all take care of our bodies.
I know it sounds a bit silly that I'm telling you this, because d'uuuh, but I thought that if my story helps prevent just one person's injuries, then at least one good thing came out of this experience.

Take care of yourselves and I wish everyone perfect health for 2019!
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Tom in London
Kay-Viktor Stegemann
Nikki Scott-Despaigne
Ricki Farn
Christine Andersen
Goumiri Abdennour
Noelle Crist-See
 
Tom in London
Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:35
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Use dictation Dec 12, 2018

I had similar problems until I started using dictation. I still have to type, but much less than before.

I would add: take care of your eyes. I recently began suffering from Dry Eye Syndrome, and it's a big nuisance.

[Edited at 2018-12-12 11:45 GMT]


Kay-Viktor Stegemann
Dan Lucas
Mr.Q
 
Thomas T. Frost
Thomas T. Frost  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 13:35
Danish to English
+ ...
Various Dec 12, 2018

I also have dry eyes according to my ophthalmologist. She recommended that I get a set of Blephasteam goggles (you can Google the goggles) for daily 10-minute steam sessions. It only works if you still have any Meibomian glands left, though. Many of us forget to blink normally when sitting in front of a computer screen, which can lead to clogging of the glands, as the blinking movement should keep them working.

And yes, we have to be aware of beginning pain and strain in hands, arms
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I also have dry eyes according to my ophthalmologist. She recommended that I get a set of Blephasteam goggles (you can Google the goggles) for daily 10-minute steam sessions. It only works if you still have any Meibomian glands left, though. Many of us forget to blink normally when sitting in front of a computer screen, which can lead to clogging of the glands, as the blinking movement should keep them working.

And yes, we have to be aware of beginning pain and strain in hands, arms, shoulders, neck, back, etc. Poor lighting conditions can also lead to headaches and migraines. At least it's easy to find ergonomic advice online today.

RSI, repetitive strain injury, can also be really nasty.

I hope you find a way to recover, Anna, and thanks for sharing your experience.
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Tom in London
 
Tom in London
Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:35
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Blephastream Dec 12, 2018

Thomas T. Frost wrote:

.....my ophthalmologist....recommended that I get a set of Blephasteam goggles


Thanks thomas - that's very interesting. Here's a serious medical report about them

http://tinyurl.com/ych4qfd4


 
Ivana Kahle
Ivana Kahle  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 14:35
Member (2007)
German to Croatian
+ ...
Use a quality wrist rest mouse pad Dec 12, 2018

I have been using Kensington Duo Gel Mouse Pad with Wrist Rest for years and am very happy with it. It's a little bit costy, but it's worth it. Since I have been using it, I don't experience wrist pain any more.

Mr.Q
 
Anton Konashenok
Anton Konashenok  Identity Verified
Czech Republic
Local time: 14:35
French to English
+ ...
Or, better yet, use no mouse at all Dec 12, 2018

Of all pointing devices available on the market, trackpoint (a.k.a. pointing stick, the little nub between the G, H and B on the keyboard) is by far the easiest on your hands. It also allows you to control the pointer without removing your hands from the keyboard, which is very valuable when your main task is typing. Besides several laptop brands, it is also possible to buy a standalone keyboard (wired or Bluetooth) by Lenovo.

Yaotl Altan
 
Heinrich Pesch
Heinrich Pesch  Identity Verified
Finland
Local time: 15:35
Member (2003)
Finnish to German
+ ...
Professionals use the RollerMouse Dec 13, 2018

Most business give RollerMouse devices to their employees. The 300 euro is well spend.

Yaotl Altan
 
Eva Stoppa
Eva Stoppa  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 14:35
English to German
+ ...
Yoga Dec 13, 2018

It helps me stretch muscles and structures, I haven't even heard of before.

Ivana Kahle
Emma Page
Mr.Q
 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 14:35
French to English
home remedies Dec 13, 2018

Anna Augustin wrote:

he also told me plenty of home remedies that work well if it starts to hurt.


Could you maybe elaborate? I know someone with exactly the same problem and the NHS won't operate given that it's not very likely to work.


 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 14:35
French to English
Me too! Dec 13, 2018

Eva Stoppa wrote:

It helps me stretch muscles and structures, I haven't even heard of before.


I start every day with some yoga, including finger exercises. I had been feeling pain in what I think is my carpal tunnel thing, but since I started the yoga every morning, it has subsided. I can still feel my bones clicking but it doesn't hurt at all, I'm pretty sure thanks to the exercises.


 
Anna Augustin
Anna Augustin
Germany
Local time: 14:35
English to German
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Heat pads and a splint Jan 2, 2019

Kay Denney wrote:

Anna Augustin wrote:

he also told me plenty of home remedies that work well if it starts to hurt.


Could you maybe elaborate? I know someone with exactly the same problem and the NHS won't operate given that it's not very likely to work.


When I thought it was tendonitis, I used a cooling pad. Now I apply heat and it eases the pain when it flares up. Also, I got a new splint for my wrist to stabilise it a bit. It's not made of metal and fabric, but 100% silicone and it helps very much. My wrist gets some stability, while I can still move my hand completely naturally and normally.

Hope it helps


Kay Denney
 
Karvin Sun
Karvin Sun  Identity Verified
China
Local time: 21:35
English to Chinese
+ ...
Plaster May 5, 2019

Got sore hands too, so should be the same illness. I never went to hospital because I don't want to take any medicine. I tried to hot pack my hands, and it helped. Fortunately, weather is getting warmer, and I feel better now.
Besides, some plasters in China also help, but I don't use many in fear of side effects - toxin. It's a pity that I cannot practice a lot Chinese calligraphy now.

[Edited at 2019-05-05 03:13 GMT]


 
Emma Page
Emma Page
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:35
French to English
+ ...
ergonomic keyboard + examine your typing patterns May 7, 2019

After getting numbness and severe pain in my wrists and hands after a particularly busy month, I gave up my "fancy" mechanical gaming keyboard and got a Microsoft Sculpt keyboard. It's big and ugly and funny-looking, and the fact that it's split in the middle means if your typing habits aren't "standard" you'll out about it quickly. It's the best thing I've ever bought, professionally.

I wore wrist braces for a week or so when I first got it, as the pain was still quite severe. I n
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After getting numbness and severe pain in my wrists and hands after a particularly busy month, I gave up my "fancy" mechanical gaming keyboard and got a Microsoft Sculpt keyboard. It's big and ugly and funny-looking, and the fact that it's split in the middle means if your typing habits aren't "standard" you'll out about it quickly. It's the best thing I've ever bought, professionally.

I wore wrist braces for a week or so when I first got it, as the pain was still quite severe. I no longer need them, and I haven't had the tendonitis/carpal tunnel come back.

Another big one for me was changing the keyboard shortcuts I was using. Turns out that hitting ctrl+enter thousands of times a day was putting my wrist in a stressed position. I went into Trados and changed the "confirm segment" command to a key combination that let me keep my hands in an ergonomic position, which also helped.

Yoga is great, and if you're having severe problems I recommend seeking out someone who knows about myofascial release techniques or researching on youtube (basically intense focus massage, often using a ball or foam roller). You can learn to do them yourself, and they've given me instant and lasting relief from wrist pain along with the above.
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Emma Page
Emma Page
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:35
French to English
+ ...
Sad when your hobbies make things worse! :( May 7, 2019

Karvin Sun wrote:

Got sore hands too, so should be the same illness. I never went to hospital because I don't want to take any medicine. I tried to hot pack my hands, and it helped. Fortunately, weather is getting warmer, and I feel better now.
Besides, some plasters in China also help, but I don't use many in fear of side effects - toxin. It's a pity that I cannot practice a lot Chinese calligraphy now.

[Edited at 2019-05-05 03:13 GMT]


I know many people who wear wrist-warmers while they type, even in hot weather. Maybe something to try. And I sympathize with what you are saying about not being able to do calligraphy...I had to give up knitting when my wrist pain was severe, which was awful because it's one of my favorite ways to relax. But it's not very relaxing when you're getting shooting pains up your arms!


 
Hester Eymers
Hester Eymers  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 14:35
Member (2005)
English to Dutch
+ ...
Feldenkrais exercises May 8, 2019

In addition to yoga, I often use Feldenkrais exercises to relax my muscles. When I was suffering from severe RSI symptoms some years ago, most yoga exercises were too much of a strain on the muscles and joints, while the subtle movements of Feldenkrais brought relaxation and relief, especially when followed by a warm bath

You can find a lot of Feldenkrais exercises her
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In addition to yoga, I often use Feldenkrais exercises to relax my muscles. When I was suffering from severe RSI symptoms some years ago, most yoga exercises were too much of a strain on the muscles and joints, while the subtle movements of Feldenkrais brought relaxation and relief, especially when followed by a warm bath

You can find a lot of Feldenkrais exercises here: http://www.flowingbody.com/pastlow.htm

No. 35 (Freeing the arms and hands, combating carpal tunnel syndrome) is still one of my favourites, as well as no. 16 (Head and shoulders, releasing tension from your neck, shoulders and spinal cord).
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Make sure to take care of your hands, friends






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