Ask HN: Dealing with wrist pain / tendonitis as a developer

6 pointsGFischer4y ago7 comments

I'm currently trying to come back from a very painful tendonitis in the forearm and wrist pain in my right hand, I overtaxed it trying to wrap everything up by end of year. I had a week off and used a splint and feel better but I'm just in my 2nd day back and I'm already feeling soreness and mild pain.

I have a splint and bought a hot/cold gel pad, cold especially helps.

I also switched my mouse to left handed use, it does strain my left hand a bit probably for not being used to doing it.

But typing is a big problem and I'm worried about coding, I'm having stuff piling up and I need to get it done but I don't know if I need to rest more or what.

How did you recover from this, any tips / meds / using voice activation for writing?

Ask HN: Dealing with wrist pain / tendonitis as a developer

6 pointsGFischer4y ago7 comments

I have a splint and bought a hot/cold gel pad, cold especially helps.

I also switched my mouse to left handed use, it does strain my left hand a bit probably for not being used to doing it.

But typing is a big problem and I'm worried about coding, I'm having stuff piling up and I need to get it done but I don't know if I need to rest more or what.

How did you recover from this, any tips / meds / using voice activation for writing?

7 comments

7 comments · 4 top-level

bigbassroller4y ago· 1 in thread

Try adjusting height of your desk and seating position.

GFischerOP4y ago

Yep, that should help after it subsides. I was hoping for some more immediate tips.

samuell4y ago· 1 in thread

I had pretty terrible problems that were more or less solved with a split keyboard (the ultimate hacking keyboard, with palm rests), allowing my wrists to rest in a more natural angle.

I guess it depends on what is the exact source of your pain though. For me, it was always pretty clear that the stained angle on a normal keyboard was the problem)

GFischerOP4y ago

It's more tendons than the wrist. But I definitely have to do something to have better posture.

PaulHoule4y ago· 1 in thread

Try push-ups.

GFischerOP4y ago

I will, and more general exercises (the usual New Year's resolution haha)

1 more reply

zoenolan4y ago

Short term I used a splint and tried to cut down on the time I as using a keyboard or mouse. Outside work, no gaming and minimal computer time. I kept this up until the pain subsided.

In parallel, I switched to a trackball instead of a mouse. Other people I know went with a vertical mouse. I got a giant mouse pad for my desk with wrist supports for both my keyboard and trackball. This is also a good time to double check your whole setup chair, desk, monitors making sure you have good posture

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