ergonomic mouse - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Red Mountain
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 22, 2019, 06:42:51 pm
content: Hi people, is a trackball mouse really better than a regular mouse for someone with carpal tunnel syndrome?

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2019, 07:02:03 pm
content: When i had a problem witb my right wrist I learned to use the mouse with my left hand, as ergonomic mice seemed to be overly expensive or looked goofy. With time my right hand normalized and now I am handling the mouse with it again. As a net result i can now use the mouse with either hand.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2019, 08:06:57 pm
content: It may not solve the issue, but it does move the stress to other groups of muscles. So in a short term it may provide a relief, but if you use it a lot, it may not help 100%.I've used Logitech Marble Trackball for years, and I find that from time to time I need to switch between having a riser under the wrist and not. Just switching that alone solves all my issues.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 22, 2019, 08:49:33 pm
content: I don't have carpal tunnel but I do have arthritis in my hands. I use an Anker vertical mouse. It took a bit to get used to it but I find it comfortable. The warning however is that this is a large mouse. I do have large hands. I bought one for Mrs GreyWoolfe but it was too big so she gave it back to me. There are other companies that make vertical or ergonomic mice but they carry a price tag.https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Ergonomic-Optical-Vertical-Buttons/dp/B00FPAVUHC/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia?keywords=anker+vertical+mouse&pd_rd_i=B00FPAVUHC&pd_rd_r=fd044154-cf29-4e96-9af7-1ada0d9fd33e&pd_rd_w=fq7TZ&pd_rd_wg=tkq9h&pf_rd_p=f0479f98-a32d-45cd-9c12-7aaced42b1ec&pf_rd_r=TYM61TGSZVPV3S30GYJ4&qid=1558558130&s=gateway

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2019, 08:53:58 pm
content: Quote from: Red Mountain on May 22, 2019, 06:42:51 pmI don't think so. I never liked a trackball. Make sure you rest your entire under arm on the desk, set the mouse sensitive so you don't have to move it a lot and use a wrist brace to fixate the wrist. Meanwhile make sure to get the surgery asap.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2019, 11:18:02 pm
content: It's unbelievable that no one has thought up and or brought to market a foot operated mouse to assist people with various disabilities and or injuriesas well as the option to free up a hand when typingThere's a lot of silly gadgets occupying landfills that people needed a lot lessI reckon I could knock up a working prototype in an afternoon, with just generic off the shelf or dumpster/nature strip freebie parts

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2019, 11:26:06 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on May 22, 2019, 11:18:02 pmIt is not as easy as it seems. Your feet don't have enough dexterity in a sitting position.You can definitely make a pointing device, but it will not be nearly as convenient to use.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2019, 02:35:52 am
content: It's not rocket science to do, especially with todays tech, nor does it have to be perfect,just good enough to get the job done and cheap, and anything is better than nothingA foot sensor mat on a small platform that can be angled, with a pair of pressure sensors attached to the big and smallest toe (right/left click) would be a startor an old school up/down and or 45-0-45 degree swivel type foot pedal with switches and joystick pot etcand chuck in some modded existing mouse software to fine tune the lot to each user requirementsI used to knock up 'look ma, no hands!'multiple foot pedal thingies years ago with limited electronics experience,they worked (probably still do) and were low voltage/no voltage safesurely all these corporat tech 'teams' in laundered white coats with BS diplomas can do a LOT better than my tacky looking rat tailed back yard inventionsand rake in the cash and take undeserved credit for these ideasEDIT:just as I thought, it has been sort of done already,do an internet Search for 'Foot Operated Mouse' and there you are

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2019, 02:38:22 am
content: There are A LOT of foot controlled devices. Here is just the first one from Google -https://www.fentek-ind.com/footime.htmI tried one (very old, so tech may have advanced). I'm telling you, it is not easy or fun to use. You will not be able to do CAD work,I can guarantee you that.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2019, 02:44:33 am
content: Not many will complain if it's good enough for surfing, Youtube, Ebay and basic office stuffFeet can be pretty flexible and dexterous devices when hands/wrists/elbows are AWOL

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2019, 02:45:59 am
content: Well, then someone did bring to market such a device. And for $150 is is pretty cheap too.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2019, 03:43:30 am
content: Quote from: Electro Detective on May 22, 2019, 11:18:02 pmI think the problem is that there's such a large range of different disabilities that require different sorts of accommodations, so the market for any particular solution is relatively limited. Hence theXBox Adaptive Controller, which focuses on providing a platform for integrating a wide range of controller mechanisms rather than trying to provide any one control solution.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2019, 10:17:17 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on May 22, 2019, 08:06:57 pmCarpal tunnel has nothing to do with musles or RSI. A different position of the wrist to keep the Carpal tunnel open as much as possible may help but in the end the only solution is to have the Carpal tunnel fixed by surgery.

author: Nominal Animal
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2019, 12:37:22 pm
content: I like vertically adjustable forearm supports, like these,as they make sure the hand-wrist-forearm stays mostly linear.I like a reclining typing position (with hand-wrist-forearm falling naturally in line) even better.My next non-electronic project is to modify anIkea Pellochair, by replacing the seat/padding with polypropylene webbing to combat swamp ass during the summer. The legs are plywood, and the seat structure is basically a bag over steel tubing. There will be a detachable keyboard/laptop board I'll somehow make lockable to the legs/armrests with some kind of clips or spring bolts. (Simple pins would work, but I don't want to weaken the plywood structure by drilling holes.)(I did already waste one Pello chair by drilling a couple of hundred 3mm holes for attaching the webbing with small screws. Does not work; it is much better to sew the belt ends into loops instead. Yeah yeah, I'm an idiot for even trying it; I just didn't have a sewing machine then.)In over two decades of several hours of computer work each day, I haven't gotten severe wrist problems yet. But, I'm painfully aware of how easily those problems escalate. It is worth it to ensure your work habits work without damaging your body; I tend to walk when thinking.

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2019, 11:57:02 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on May 25, 2019, 10:17:17 amYep. Carpal tunnel is pressure on the nerves. If you have numbness/tingling in the fingers, but NOT the little finger, then you could have Carpal tunnel. Loss of grip strength is also a possible symptom. Wrist soreness at night is also a symptom. I suggest having a nerve conduction test if you suspect CT is a possibility. The surgery is very straightforward if it is warranted. They go through a small incision in the palm.

author: Red Mountain
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 06:43:57 pm
content: Talk about a full-time brain exercise!

author: Red Mountain
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 06:48:25 pm
content: Now, that's encouraging ataradov! I understand Logitech has been dormant in the trackball scene for a while now before the MX Ergo. It's one of the models I'm considering.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 06:49:58 pm
content: As others pointed out CT and RSI are different. You need to figure out what you have and act accordingly.

author: Red Mountain
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 06:57:54 pm
content: It's a nouveau idea too, methinks. Great to see it's already been explored! Hopefully it doesn't end up in the Museum of Failure. Have you seen some of the amazing creations on there?Re:https://failuremuseum.com/

author: Red Mountain
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 27, 2019, 07:14:24 pm
content: Thanks guys. Obviously, the trackball vs. regular mouse debate is one of those hot button issues, and this discussion just goes to prove that. I've also been doing some digging around and I'm seriously thinking about giving it a try - at least before I consider surgery.nctnico, the hand positioning is a biggie actually, especially as this sourcehttp://ergonomictrends.com/trackball-vs-regular-ergonomic-mouse/points out, a lot of repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome emanate from the use of a regular mouse. I might throw that wrist rest in for good measureataradov, to avoid the strain of the back and forth and maintain the wrist at a healthier angle.Of course, it's not without its quirks, and one I think will be limiting is the speed and precision when it comes to the design work. But that's not a daily gig so the precision shouldn't be a make or break. I'm kind of looking forward to the new experience tbh - I reckon it's one of those hardware equivalents of switching from MacOs to Windows/Linux or vice-versa. Can't be too bad, can it?So now I'm at a point where I'm weighing between the thumb- or finger-operated trackball. There is a Logitech MX Ergo I've come across on Gizmodohttps://gizmodo.com/why-the-hell-would-anyone-use-a-trackball-mouse-1800564295. The Wire Cutterhttps://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-trackballs/also seems to have some great suggestions, including the Kensington Expert Mouse which seems to be quite highly regarded. These two seem to be the top dogs in their respective categories.But I agreeGreywoolfe, the ergonomics does come with a cute price tag.

author: SkyMaster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2019, 02:11:41 am
content: Quote from: Red Mountain on May 22, 2019, 06:42:51 pmVerticalMouse4 from Evoluenthttps://evoluent.com/https://evoluent.com/products/vm4r/At some point I started to feel pain in my right wrist and arm. I immediately started shopping for a different mouse. A trackball did not help. A cheap vertical mouse did not help. But as soon as I started using VerticalMouse4 my pain disappeared. I now have two VerticalMouse4; one at home and one at work.The VerticalMouse4 is available in two sizes and right hand or left hand. It is also available wired or wireless.I do not know if my problem was linked to the carpal tunnel syndrome, but when the pain is bad enough; cost becomes a none issue.Good luck with your research for a solution to your pain.

author: windsmurf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2019, 02:18:06 am
content: This one cured my issue when I used to mouse a lot.https://www.amazon.com/3M-Wireless-Ergonomic-Soft-Touch-EM550GPS/dp/B001P23Z36Takes fingers and wrist out of the equation.