Rian Jackson wrote:Rob, any tips I can pass along to my bro about continuing in the computer world with CTS?
Yes. The obvious things are the ergonomic keyboard. Adjusting your chair/bench height to optimal, get a keyboard and mouse pad for the wrists. But these are the obvious ones.
Here's the unobvious ones that actually made 5 times the difference that the above.
Avoid all vibrating things that you hold onto. If he has a motorcycle, don't ride it or make sure to use heavy, padded riding gloves if he has no choice. Don't grip anything that vibrates like sanders or jigsaws.
Wear wrist braces at night. This is probably the one that helped the most. When you sleep, you oftentimes have you hands at odd angles. This compunds the issue since your hand is at an odd angle for hours. If your wrist is straightened during sleep, it gives your body a chance to recuperate.
Get a squeezy ball. You need to gently work your wrist every once in a while. DO NOT get something tough, like the metal wrist strengtheners at a weightlifting shop. They make cheap little gel filled balls covered in fabric, a little smaller than a tennis ball. It feels like squeezing some tough Jello. Keep it by the desk and roll it around in your hands, squeezing it gently for a few minutes every hour or so.
Celebrex. While there is no real data to show that anti-inflamitories help in treatment of CTS, I have found that a daily regiment of Celebrex helped out immensly when my CTS flairs up.
Mainly, find ways to keep it away for about a month. It will come back, but if you can get it down for a period- it usually stays away for a while.
