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Published: Sep 16, 2005 01:40 PM
Mon - February 21, 2005
Light At The End of the Carpal Tunnel
I figured that I must be
doing something right. I figured that I had the problem licked. I figured
wrong.
Many
thanks to those of you who wrote me emails of concern during my unexpected
absence. Rest assured that I am back for good and will shortly return to
blogging on a regular schedule.
My disappearance warrants comment, primarily because it arose from a circumstance that I hope to spare all of you: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. As you might imagine, being a lawyer, blogger, and editor, I do a lot of typing. I rarely go through a day without writing pages and pages of text. My livelihood and many of my hobbies depend upon my ability to spew thoughts through a keyboard.
All of which made me a perfect candidate for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which occurs when the Median Nerve, passing through a narrow tunnel in the wrist to reach the hand, becomes pinched by swelling from a repetitive stress injury. Think of it as the wrist-centered equivalent of Tennis Elbow—triggered not by wielding a racket in sport but by repetitive motions of the wrist while at work, such as typing with fingers in an hunched position.
I'd heard about Carpal Tunnel, of course, but I didn't know much about it. I never felt soreness or tension in my wrists or my hands so I didn't worry. I'd been typing the same way for decades without incident. I figured that I must be doing something right. I figured that I had the problem licked.
I figured wrong.
One morning, after a week of typing no more frequently than usual, I awoke in severe pain. I could scarcely move my wrists. I couldn't hold a coffee cup. I couldn't open a jar. Twisting the keys to start my car required use of both hands. Pulling a chair from my desk caused me to wince. Lifting my computer bag onto my shoulder required oh-so-careful maneuvering to avoid placing debilitating stress on my arms. In short, I was a mess. Yet, incredibly, I had experienced no symptoms at all before this happened.
My wife is out of work. My job is our sole source of income. So it quickly became crystal clear to me and to my doctor that things had to change to prevent permanent injury. I began wearing a wrist brace. I installed a keyboard tray at home and at work. I adjusted my chairs. I attached my PowerBook to an external keyboard. I found a more ergonomic mouse. I gave up all unnecessary typing, including this blog, and stopped commenting on other blogs while I waited for the swelling to subside.
Which took a long time. A long, long time.
Despite some frightening months when I wondered if I had inadvertently disabled myself for good, my countermeasures worked. I can type again. I feel normal again. It feels safe to blog again. More carefully, this time.
I return with a warning: Take Carpal Tunnel seriously. Check into the ergonomics of your office. Assume that you could be a victim. Spend whatever you have to spend so that your personal computer setup is wrist friendly and mother approved. The cost will be much cheaper than months of silent fury and pain and frustration.
Believe me. I know.
My disappearance warrants comment, primarily because it arose from a circumstance that I hope to spare all of you: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. As you might imagine, being a lawyer, blogger, and editor, I do a lot of typing. I rarely go through a day without writing pages and pages of text. My livelihood and many of my hobbies depend upon my ability to spew thoughts through a keyboard.
All of which made me a perfect candidate for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which occurs when the Median Nerve, passing through a narrow tunnel in the wrist to reach the hand, becomes pinched by swelling from a repetitive stress injury. Think of it as the wrist-centered equivalent of Tennis Elbow—triggered not by wielding a racket in sport but by repetitive motions of the wrist while at work, such as typing with fingers in an hunched position.
I'd heard about Carpal Tunnel, of course, but I didn't know much about it. I never felt soreness or tension in my wrists or my hands so I didn't worry. I'd been typing the same way for decades without incident. I figured that I must be doing something right. I figured that I had the problem licked.
I figured wrong.
One morning, after a week of typing no more frequently than usual, I awoke in severe pain. I could scarcely move my wrists. I couldn't hold a coffee cup. I couldn't open a jar. Twisting the keys to start my car required use of both hands. Pulling a chair from my desk caused me to wince. Lifting my computer bag onto my shoulder required oh-so-careful maneuvering to avoid placing debilitating stress on my arms. In short, I was a mess. Yet, incredibly, I had experienced no symptoms at all before this happened.
My wife is out of work. My job is our sole source of income. So it quickly became crystal clear to me and to my doctor that things had to change to prevent permanent injury. I began wearing a wrist brace. I installed a keyboard tray at home and at work. I adjusted my chairs. I attached my PowerBook to an external keyboard. I found a more ergonomic mouse. I gave up all unnecessary typing, including this blog, and stopped commenting on other blogs while I waited for the swelling to subside.
Which took a long time. A long, long time.
Despite some frightening months when I wondered if I had inadvertently disabled myself for good, my countermeasures worked. I can type again. I feel normal again. It feels safe to blog again. More carefully, this time.
I return with a warning: Take Carpal Tunnel seriously. Check into the ergonomics of your office. Assume that you could be a victim. Spend whatever you have to spend so that your personal computer setup is wrist friendly and mother approved. The cost will be much cheaper than months of silent fury and pain and frustration.
Believe me. I know.