Repetitive strain injuries - what to do next?
Repetitive strain injuries - what to do next?
(OP)
At the age of 40, I find myself in a potentially career limiting situation.
After 12 years or so CAD / and computer use, I have been diagnosed with osteo arthritis in my right hand, which is firstly painful, and secondly starting to restrict movement.
In the short term, my employers are being pretty helpful, and appoitments are being arranged with suitable medical specialists.
What concerns me more, is the long term situation. My job ( speciallist mechanical design U.K. based), requires the use of 3d CAD on a regular basis,and I see little realistic prospect of avoiding this type of computer use in my current role.
Has anyone else out there had similar issues, and how did you manage long term? How supportive was your employer?
Are there any alternative computer pointing devices that might help?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom
After 12 years or so CAD / and computer use, I have been diagnosed with osteo arthritis in my right hand, which is firstly painful, and secondly starting to restrict movement.
In the short term, my employers are being pretty helpful, and appoitments are being arranged with suitable medical specialists.
What concerns me more, is the long term situation. My job ( speciallist mechanical design U.K. based), requires the use of 3d CAD on a regular basis,and I see little realistic prospect of avoiding this type of computer use in my current role.
Has anyone else out there had similar issues, and how did you manage long term? How supportive was your employer?
Are there any alternative computer pointing devices that might help?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom





RE: Repetitive strain injuries - what to do next?
Assuming your current pointing device is a mouse, you could try different shapes or perhaps a trackball device.
It can be a significant challenge, but you can set up your station to use your opposite hand. After a while you may end up equally adept with both hands to run CAD. Try to use your opposite hand as primary for more mundane types of tasks, (carrying things, opening doors etc), which gives your primary hand a bit of respite.
Surgery may provide improvement but unless the source of the strain gets addressed, would still provide only temporary relief. Repeat surgeries tend to become less and less effective.
Good luck and regards,
RE: Repetitive strain injuries - what to do next?
When you first start a Rolfing program, I think they recommend a minimum of 12 sessions. This will not be a typical ‘fluff and dry’ massage where you just feel relaxed at the end and it’s gone by the time you get to your car. Really deep tissue work HURTS and sometimes it leaves bruises.
I’ve been getting regular deep tissue massage for years because I dance semi-professionally. I would not spend the money nor put up with the agony if I did not see results. My body worker said he worked on a lot of architects for the exact reason you are having trouble. He frequently demonstrates stretches and exercises that anyone can do at work. Although I don’t draft by computer, I find myself sitting at one about 50% of my work time. I’m lucky to be in the field where I do stretches and little exercises on site.
I also get up all the time in the office to do stretches. I think I'll get up right now.....
I used to feel self conscious, but not any more. I now do them in line at the grocery store and anywhere I find myself with a few extra seconds of time. It makes a huge difference. I’d also recommend a regular exercise program and yoga.
Then, when you start to feel a bit better, I’d check into some Feldenkrais sessions, but that’s the advanced stuff. At 40, you are too young to lose your mobility. Keeping your range of motion is like keeping your own teeth. Sure there are appliances that will do the work for you, but it’s never as good as the real thing.
This isn't just career limiting. This will affect you the rest of your life.
"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"
RE: Repetitive strain injuries - what to do next?
There are lots of pointing devices out there - you will need to investigate them. Perhaps talk to your occupational safety group, they may have some ideas.
In the mean time, PSE had the same suggestion that I had, try using your other hand. There are lots of lefties out there in industry, I am sure some of them use a left handed mouse/pointer/etc. I have learned to golf left handed when I got tennis elbow (yes, it's still called tennis elbow even if you got it from golf). It takes time, but doable. Since I didn't hit it as far, I also lost fewer balls - a definite gain in my books.
Good luck with re-hab.
On a completely different note. A physical handicap is not the end of a career. I know of a machinist who was getting on in years, and could no longer handle the physical part of the job - physically operating the machines, loading the materials, etc. The company instead of getting rid of this operator, got a "junior" operator to work with him instead. They are now a two man operator. The older gent tells the younger gent exactly what to do, what to look for, what to feel, how to tell when to do what, etc. The experience of the older operator is benefiting the company because he can do jobs others can not ... yet. The younger operator just gained one of the best mentor, and expert in the field, as his sole teacher. What do they do? They make specialty metal parts - a pretty physical job.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
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RE: Repetitive strain injuries - what to do next?
Yesterday I had my usual massage appointment and decided to try something new that my body worker keeps suggesting, Myofascial Skin Rolling. One of the benefits, besides the breaking down of the fascia, is reducing the amount of cellulite and making the skin move better over the underlying muscles. They tout this treatment for its health benefits, but I really think it’s more cosmetic.
As a belly dancer, I thought it sounded good so I had him do the free sample treatment on my front torso. He offered to do more, but I couldn’t take it, and I've been getting regular deep tissue work done for the past 6 years. I’m pretty certain skin rolling was used during the Spanish Inquisition! I look like I’ve been attacked by a toothless ferret trying to get at my intestines. There are probably a hundred tiny bruises over my front side. I do bruise easily, though.
Good luck with your injury. Have patience and most important, keep with it. It might take awhile, but injuries can get better. I think it's a lot better than surgery where you risk permanent damage to your nerves.
"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"
RE: Repetitive strain injuries - what to do next?
On the subject of pointing devices, I have been using a vertical AirO2obic or Quill mouse, which you hand sits in, in neutral 'handshake' position. My employers bought me this about a year ago, and although not cheap at £60 ( or about $100), it has certainly helped relieve pressure on my wrist - so at least I don't have carpal tunnel damage to cope with as well! It did also help a bit with the finger joints for a while. It's only downside is the frankly crummy build quality, but I would still recommend it to others with mild wrist/finger mobility problems to give it a go.
I have dug out an old Logitech trackball, which is rather easier to control with my left hand than a mouse, so I will see how I get on with that route. A small amount of brain recalibration will be required here, but it seems to be not too bad so far.
Apparently the joints in my index finger are now quite worn and unstable, so I am not sure if rest will cure the problem now or not. Only time will tell.
RE: Repetitive strain injuries - what to do next?
OR
Try to get into more of a project management role.
OR
Switch to a related field that is not so computer oriented.
RE: Repetitive strain injuries - what to do next?
train yourself to be left handed.
Years ago I trained myself to kick a soccer ball with my left foot. I play left wing.....it can be done
Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 3.0 & Pro/E 2001
XP Pro SP2.0 P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
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(In reference to David Beckham) "He can't kick with his left foot, he can't tackle, he can't head the ball and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that, he's all right." -- George Best
RE: Repetitive strain injuries - what to do next?
The others are right--experiment with trackballs, stylus & tablet, trackpad, keyboard with little joystick in the middle, etc. You might even get a splitter and have multiple input devices connected for different purposes--I knew someone who had one mouse he'd position with his right hand and then a second mouse strapped to his left armrest that he'd use to click with.
Also you can reprogram your buttons. I found that reprogramming my right (or left in my case) click button to double click and the middle button to the much less frequent right click really helped cut down on how much clicking I did.
Hg
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RE: Repetitive strain injuries - what to do next?
I always felt that draftsmen made the drawings and engineers directed them thru analysis and test. Times have changed; engineers are now expected to make design drawings. I have met several graduate engineers who have regrets about having been sidetracked into becoming draftsmen.
RE: Repetitive strain injuries - what to do next?
The other thing that has been a real blessing for me, is the C-Trac. Someone finally got smart and decided the best way to help carpel tunnel problems was to stretch the ligament across the bottom of the tunnel, to allow it to open up, alleviating compression of the nerves.
http://www.ctracforcts.com
Don't know if it will help you at this stage, but others may benefit.
-Tony Staples
www.tscombustion.com