The number of menu options and corresponding mouse operations required to use software has greatly increased with each new software generation. A recent study of a production CAD user revealed that the user was pressing mouse buttons 17,000 times per day. Since the trauma from such actions is cumulative, there is an avalanche effect which causes a rapidly increasing injury once symptoms become evident. Some feel discomfort radiating upward from the wrist to their shoulders. For reasons not understood, these symptoms frequently occur in the middle of the night.
Patients have to get up and shake their hand until the numbness goes away.
Their hands may also feel stiff in the morning. And people with beginning problems often find their hands feel better on Monday mornings after a weekend off work. If you are at risk and have warning signs, you should take immediate action to avoid this potentially career-ending injury. Heed the advice of RSI victims. Don't ignore the problem and tough it out.