Why do I get sore ‘mouse arm’ when I work at the computer for too long?

Answer

The complaints you cite fall under the big heading of “overuse injuries” with musculo-skeletal disorders as a specification.

A musculoskeletal disorder (MSA for short) (also referred to as RSI, CTD or CANS) often arises from a combination of causes in which the posture of the user of the mouse (in the case of a mouse arm) is of great importance. The purchase of a new mouse only helps if it also changes the habitual patterns (posture, way of moving with the mouse). With the same attitude, the problem will indeed remain the same. What you can do yourself to get this problem under control is:

– seek medical treatment to address the overload symptoms you report (consider finding a good osteopath, pure and only physical medicine can help, but osteopathy is a viable alternative/complement). After all, pain that lasts for a long time has its own course and can become chronic in the long term, even if the cause for it is removed. Because you want to prevent this from happening, quickly recognizing that there is a problem and looking for a solution for it is therefore really a recommended action!

– Learn to use function keys (eg ctrl+c for cut and ctrl+v for paste in MS Word) in those software packages where they are present;

– Do not only look at the posture of your arm, but certainly also at the combination of arm posture: neck and head position because this can form an extra load on the neck and shoulder structure;

– Pay attention to the viewing height (see previous item), when using reading glasses your screen must fall within the focus of your glasses… in the reverse case you get a kind of forced posture with the head in an extremely bent back position;

– Provide variation… the idea of ​​changing mouse is a good idea if the mouse controls also change (e.g. trackball, mouse left if you are usually right-handed,…); go to a good stationery store or another store that offers such material (eg the sit-and-drag shops,…) and try out a new mouse first. Most serious cases have demo equipment they lend out.

– If you work in paid employment, consult the ergonomist of your employer’s internal or external prevention service (this is a right you have under the law “prevention, protection and well-being at work”);

– If necessary, check the information and advice in the free brochure http://www.werk.belgie.be/publicationDefault.aspx?id=3668 , you can download or order them.

Good luck,

H. Désiron

eur.ergonome – occupational therapist