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Carpal Tunnel Surgery?
Kyrrin asks a question all of might have to face if we aren't careful: "I always thought that carpal tunnel syndrome was mostly invented by doctors -- until I started showing symptoms myself. I'm almost convinced of the need for surgery -- is there anyone else out there who has had this done? If so, what sort of recovery time did you have before you were reasonably self-sufficient again? "
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Home Page
A Patient's Guide to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
My advise is to use Microsoft Keyboard and/or Microsoft Mouse. They may make a lame OS but they sure know how to design good hardware.
Hasdi
Now, unfortunately, I have noticeable numbness in the outer pair of fingers on both hands. It started soon after I started using the Dvorak layout full-time, and intensified steadily over the next couple of months.
However! Do not run away yet. My wrist pain has stopped almost entirely, and the numbness has now begun to decrease slowly but steadily. Why the strangeness? Well, as near as I can tell, because I had been typing for so long on the QWERTY layout, I didn't have to keep my fingers on the home row--my hands sorta "floated" over the keyboard, and my motion was loose and easy. But in the time it took me to become really proficient with the Dvorak layout (and I am still not quite back to my original speed yet, but close) I kept my fingers glued to the home row like attentive schoolchildren. And my hands were tense, as were my forearms.
But now I'm loosening up, and it appears that I'll wind up better off than I was before. So yes, by all means try the Dvorak layout. Just know that it works better (and faster) for some people than for others. Be aware, not scared.
And please, do what these other folks are telling you--get away from the keyboard and do something totally unlike typing for a while each day. Like masturbating. Or rock climbing. Or whatever.
You do not want to get surgery first. Surgery is a last resort for stuff like this. The reason that you are having a problem is because you are building up scar tissue and/or straining the muscles in your hands and wrist. Surgery can alleviate some of this pain, but it will ultimately make things worse if you wish to continue with the stressful activity (i.e. Typing). The end result of any surgery is the creation of scar tissue and possibly the cutting of muscles. This results in less flexible muscle that can be damage more easily than the pre-surgery muscles. Surgery now is asking to not be able to type 10-15 years (possibly with additional surgery along the way).
You need to stop any activities that cause scar tissue to build up in your hands. Foremost among these is cracking your knuckles. If your a knuckle cracker, you have to stop. The popping sounds is nitrogen liquifying under the pressure. This is bad for your muscles and is the source of your scare tissue.
Another problem with typing is, shall we say, improper technique. Most people assume that the presence of a wrist pad/mouse pad means that they should rest their wrist on it while typing/using their mouse. This is absolutely wrong. Typing or using a mouse while your wrist is resting on any surface (even just the table) puts additional strain on your wrists. This will cause you problems. Although ergonomic keyboard are nice, you can receive great benefit from having your wrist not touch anything while you type.
Another aspect of proper technique is the height of the keyboard relative to your body. When you are typing your forearm should make a right angle (or as close as possible) with your biceps. Anything above or below this puts additional strain on your elbows and wrists. If forced to choose between a little below or a little above, I would recommend a little above because the muslces in your biceps are more able to compensate for the additional strain.
While we are on the subject, monitor placement is also an issue. Most monitor documentation is wrong. They show that "safe" monitor height to be the top of the monitor at eye level. This is absolutely wrong. It puts additional strain on your neck. The center of the monitor should be level with your eyes. Additionally, if you are forced to pick between above and bellow this, above is much better. The reason is that looking above causes your next to arch backwards, which does not degenerate the curve in your spine. Actually, short periods of over-curving the neck are beneficial for the spine (not that you will enjoy long periods of the monitor being to high). Having it lower than this is always bad. It degenerates the curve of your neck and strains the muscles.
As many of the other posters have said, I strongly recommend some form of exercise. The scar tissue in your muscles can be removed through exercise, which also has the added benefit of strengthening your muscles.
I strongly recommend you go and see a chiropractor. In addition to the concerns about school raised above, there are also concerns of technique. There are different kinds of chiropractors, and I am very in favor of biomechanics. I have been going to chiropractors for the last 15 years (and my current biomechanics chiropractor) for the last 10. Please e-mail me if you are interested in additional information (such as the location of a repeatable chiropractor in your area.)
I know several people that were told they needed surgery by docotors and who ended up not needing surgery after seeing a chiropractor. Also, I would like to take the time to dispell some of the myths about chiropractors. Medical school requires a student to put in less credit hours than does chirpratic school. Both schools require the student to have a college degree. Additionally chirporators have to pass a licensing examination to be able to practice. They are not unskilled quacks as some other post have try to portray them.
Dave
dgr116@psu.edu