Repetitive Strain Injury/Wrist/Arm Pain

[DerBear]

Like the title says I think I've developed a repetitive strain injury in my left wrist as if I type for longer than a few minutes or do anything with my left arm/wrists it become quite painful and takes quite awhile to go away.

I can't confirm its this but its all I can think it is. My keeps locking up as well and its become quite painful. I assume its due to a lot of typing and video gaming etc as I do quite a lot of that.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[handle with care]

this sounds a lot like carpal tunnel but it might be your wrist might have weak muscles due to a past injury. i had a similar issue with my shoulder.

[Steven1]

To me it sounds like RSI. Although not officially diagnosed, I believe I have the same thing. It's not pain so much as aching, if I rotate my wrist and flap it about it usually goes, although is back soon. Ever since the age of 10, even whilst on holiday, not a single day has gone past when I haven't typed. I've also found that cold objects, such as ice or a bag of frozen peas, being applied helps.

If it doesn't, then, as said above, it could be carpal tunnel syndrome from a previous injury.

Hope all goes well though, if it carries on, it might be worth a trip to the doctors to see what he can do.

[Rina]

It might be Carpal Tunnel, like people have said. Icing your wrist or taking a break and rotating them every 15 mins might help it.

[Harry Smith]

Give it time, often muscle injuries tend to fade over time, try just taking painkillers for now-that always works for me

[Dark Blue]

I have the same exact thing but in my right wrist. Too much pressure applied the wrong way makes it hurt for hours and even typing for too long. Pretty much any awkward (yet usual) movements hurts it.

[Magus]

Ah! The dreaded RSI and CTS.

Of what you are saying are both. I am afflicted by one right now

My best opinion is to take a long break from the computer. That's the only way.

Right now, I am coping with it using the Colemak keyboard as oppose to QWERTY. Colemak has the most typed key in the middle row. Making it less painful to type, but takes time to accurately type. Another suggestion is to stop using the mouse, and use keyboard shortcuts. Another one is try getting a low impact keyboard.

But my suggestion, is to take a break. Buy books, they will shave off the time.

Trust me on this, I am a gamer. Playing Blacklight and then play LoL back to back, while waiting for CnC online and DOTA 2.

RSI will often be in your arm, you can feel and see the muscle jumping. CTS wiil be in your wrist, making your fingers harder to type on.

[DerBear]

Well thank you everyone for commenting. It seems to have eased up and that's because I've limited my typing and when I do start to feel some pain I bought this ibuprofen gel and applying that seems to take the edge off. When I do this, I tend to take a break from computers.

Darn technology.