Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Computers and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Studied

Posted by michael on from the aching-wrist dept.

pioneer writes "An article on MSNBC.com reports that a Danish study has found that computer use is not a significant risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome. Not sure about you, but I spent a lot of time learning dvorak and kinesis to prevent just that... the 'inevitable' onslaught of RSI/carpal tunnel/etc."

15 of 365 comments (clear)

  1. For geeks like us... by jabbadabbadoo · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...the wrist can hurt for many reason.

    1. Re:For geeks like us... by Unominous+Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      what about your other wrist? or is this another case of one hand not knowing where the other one is?

      --
      "Smoking helps you lose weight - one lung at a time" -- A. E. Neumann
  2. phew that's a relief... by sweeney37 · · Score: 4, Funny

    But what about that other activity that is associated with a man, and his wrist. Is it a significant risk factor?

    I'm asking....for a friend.

    Mike

    1. Re:phew that's a relief... by jabbadabbadoo · · Score: 3, Funny

      I've heard that women can have the very same problem. For them, the syndom also appears to apply to jaws.

    2. Re:phew that's a relief... by ajs318 · · Score: 3, Funny

      ..... and the banana curve effect .....

      --
      Je fume. Tu fumes. Nous fûmes!
    3. Re:phew that's a relief... by smithmc · · Score: 3, Funny

      But what about that other activity that is associated with a man, and his wrist. Is it a significant risk factor?

      I dunno - does your "friend" engage in... that other activity... eight hours a day, five days a week? If so, well, then your "friend" probably has other issues to deal with.

      --
      Downmodding is the refuge of the weak. Don't downmod, make a better argument!
  3. Arr Laddy! by jellomizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Tell this to me Captin Jello! I got the Hook to replace my hand loss from Carpal Tunnel. And I lost an Eye from it too. Arr!

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  4. I'm living proof. by Surak · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've been using computers for heavily decades and I've never had any real effects from it all. Ow! Now only if that tingling in my hands would go away...

    --
    My journal has hot /. gossip.
  5. Maybe not computer use... by Comatose-M · · Score: 4, Funny

    But I know for a fact that a 10 hour playstation session can cause me to develop some awful pain in my fingers.

    Is Nintendo thumb an accepted medical term yet?

  6. Kinesis? by Tickenest · · Score: 2, Funny

    but I spent a lot of time learning dvorak and kinesis to prevent just that

    Maybe if he'd put some more time into telekinesis he'd still have a useful skill.

    --
    This is the NFL, which stands for "Not For Long" if you keep making those bulls*** calls.
  7. no, EMACS causes CTS by wfmcwalter · · Score: 5, Funny

    M-x show-mappings

    C-M-g pain
    C-M-G agony
    C-M-T paralysis

    Look at the inventors of *emacs: Stallman - CTS. Gosling - CTS. Zawinsky - weird. Wing - bald.

    In the absence of "emacs peddles", the confirmed emacs user is doomed (dooomed).

    (in next week's exciting episode: "Perl and your spermcount - the shocking truth").

    --
    ## W.Finlay McWalter ## http://www.mcwalter.org ##
  8. Programmers are a bunch of whiney bitches... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    A long time ago in a land far, far away, I used to be a forest worker... you know, a lumberjack. I know people who *really* got carpel tunnel from swinging axes all day removing bush and I personally got carpel tunnel trimming trees (which involves hoisting a 30lb running chainsaw completely above my head) and brush. I *know* what real carpel tunnel feels like as your muscles and tendons rub the mylar insulation away from critical nevers that control your hand and arms. It feels like you just got hit with 600volts. There's a reason that chainsaw carrying forest wokers wear steel toed boots, heavy gloves, eye protection and kevlar chapps.... because it sucks when you bleed to death in the woods because carpel tunnel caused you to drop your chainsaw while it's running at full tilt with the throttle lock on.

    Next time I hear about a programmer getting a worker's comp. settlement because of carpel tunnel, I think I'll stop by their house and strap them to a running 36" chainsaw for 8 hours. Unless carpel tunnel causes your to fall out of your fancy aeron chair in sudden, shocking pain, then you don't have carpel tunnel... what you have is a work ethic problem combined with an ineptitude for figuring out how to use voice recognition software.

  9. Try a different window manager by cyber_rigger · · Score: 2, Funny

    I find that double clicks and having to go down to the lower left corner to start a program can be hard on your "mouse" wrist. I use the old "olvwm" and find it to be the most ergonomic for me. The worst one ever was Windows 3.1.

  10. Its NOT using computers that causes problems by Cowboy+Bunny · · Score: 2, Funny

    I work on a computer at least 10 hours a day almost every day and I've never had problems except one time I went on a two-week Vacation without a computer. Within a week my wrists started hurting. A couple days after returning home and using my computer I was fine.

  11. Lazy bastard by sleepingsquirrel · · Score: 3, Funny

    6+ hours a day? I probably wouldn't have any problems if I only worked 6 hours a day. Why don't you try putting in 10 hours of mouse intensive CAD/schematic entry, and then I'll be more inclined to listen to you talk out your lazy ass.