jb8x+@andrew.cmu.edu (Jeffrey David Brown) (05/09/91)
All,
I recieved this through a private board I read here at Carnegie Mellon
University. I have forwarded it to other boards, and though I should
forward it to this one as well. It appears to have been forwarded a
number of times (in fact, you may have seenit already), so I've deleted
a few of the headers and left only the bare information. This message
should be read by as many people as possible. I know at least one person
with this problem, and every time it is posted, someone says "yeah, I
had that", so it must be pretty common. Anyway, have a read.
Healthily,
Jeff Brown
All responses, flames, etc. to jb8x+@andrew.cmu.edu
Functional Disclaimer: Please give all credit for the
above statements to me. Don't bother anyone legally
empowered to cause me grief.
Never forget what people have done,
Never forget where people come from,
Never forget what people can do,
And remember, this message is written for you.
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<forwards deleted>
01-Mar-91 18:06 Christopher.Colby Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome
From: Christopher.Colby@F.GP.CS.CMU.EDU
A friend from M.I.T. just sent me a copy of a memo that has been
going
around there. Those of you who know nothing of Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome should
definitely read this. Those of you who have heard of it might want
to read
it anyway, as it includes some helpful hints for prevention.
(Background
information: 6.170 is an undergraduate software engineering lab at
M.I.T.)
-chris
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This message has very little to do with 6.170, but since you will all
be
doing intense ammounts of typing this term and probably in the
future, you
should know about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I apologize to all those
who
already know about this.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an advanced form of Forearm Overuse
Syndrome and
tendonitis in the wrists. Basically, the bones in your wrist form a
3-sided tunnel (called the Carpal Tunnel). Your tendons, blood
vessels and
nerves pass through this tunnel. If your tendons swell up too much,
it
can pinch your blood vessels and nerves, causing numbness in the
fingers.
If it is ignored, permanent damage can occur. Even if it doesn't
advance
to the numbness stage, it is extremely painful and can render your
hands
pretty useless.
In the past, mostly factory workers were the victims of this type of
injury, which is caused by repetitive motion (aka Reptitive Motion
Syndrome.) However, most cases now are related to computer use. I
developed this infliction last year when i was taking 6.170. I
developed
pain in my wrists, that sometimes ran from my fingers all the way to
my
elbow. I was stupid and ignored it, thinking it would go away as
soon as
the class was over and i got to take a rest from typing. I rested
it 3
weeks and it seemed fine until i started typing again at my job.
The pain
got worse and worse until i could barely write, or even tie my
shoes.
Then one day i woke up and i couldn't feel the tips of my fingers. I
ran
to the med center.
I had both my hands in casts, and then splints for the remainder of
the
summer. Even though I've taken almost 6 mos. of rest from typing, i
still
experience severe pain whenever i type. (Not good news for a 6-3).
Almost
a year later, I am taking strong anti-inflamatory medication and
pain
killers (equal to 7 Advil) everyday. I am in physical therapy 3
times a
week getting ultrasound treatment, and i ice my wrists all the time.
My
orthropedic doctor has diagnosed it as chronic, although we are
trying
everything to correct it, possibly even surgery. Basically, I'm
trying to
say that this is VERY SERIOUS. It can really interfere with your
career...
And it CAN HAPPEN TO YOU!!! My doctor says he currently has 15 cases
of
students with chronic variations of Forearm Overuse Syndrome.
I probably got this because I typed wrong. Do the following to avoid
developing CTS/Tendonitis:
1) Keep your wrists UP while typing. DO NOT PUT YOUR WRISTS ON THE
TABLE!!!
It might seem uncomfortable at first, but you'll get used to it.
KEEP YOUR WRISTS UP! KEEP YOUR WRISTS UP! This is VERY
important.
2) If you feel your wrists might need support in the "up" position,
put a
pillow under them or something.
3) Make sure you are using the Shift Keys properly. Do not hit the
shift
key with the same hand you hit the other key.
4) Try switching your mouse to the left side now and then if you are
a
righty, and viceversa for lefties. There are lefty configured
workstations
in 38-344.
5) Make sure that the key board is low enough. It should not be too
high,
so that you would have the temptation to rest your forearm on the
table.
If the keyboard is too high (as it often is in Athena clusters) put
the key
board in your lap. Good posture while typing can make an amazing
difference.
6) If you experience any pain, ice it and Go to the Med Center.
7) If it hurts too much to type, for God's sake, give your hands a
rest.
I worked through it last year, and I got a good grade in 6.170, but
i'm not
sure if that good grade was worth screwing up my hands for possibly
the rest
of my life (not very optimistic, i know.) I'm currently looking into
Law
School since I don't know what else I'd be able to do if I can't get
rid of
this... :)
Party On and Keep your Wrists Up,
[name withheld]
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