RSI - will a Wacom tablet fix it?

[Baxter Bradford]

I have been developing pains in the tendons in the back of my hands over the last few weeks. I am fairly sure that this is the onset of RSI........ After a week long seasonal break from the computer (but using the camera!) they are back today after little typing/ mousework.

Will a graphics tablet help me prevent this situation worsening?

If so which size of the Intuos 3 ones to go for? I have a 20 inch Formac 2010 LCD monitor and do quite a few pen paths and dust removal at 100% zoom of my scans. I would prefer the smaller A5 since it is cheaper and woudn't be such a tight fit on the desk.

Seeking practical and impartial advice, not available from the Wacom website!

Many thanks

 

[Sean]

I haven't tried a tablet but I get rsi and after wearing a wrist brace for several days it goes away for a few months.

This special mouse by 3M is another alternative device:

Dead Link Removed

 

[TPPhotog]

I use to have a wacom instead of a mouse but found I got something similar to writer cramp which I suspect would fall under RSI these days as I got it every time I used it.

 

[mark]

I have a trackball at home. It has eliminated any wrist pains there and I have serious problems with my right wrist. I found the tablet to be cunbersome unless I was actually using it for what it was intended. For Photoshop work it was great.

 

[Nige]

I have experienced the same from many years of mousing. I've changed hands and mouse left handed at work, right handed at home. I also have wrist support mouse mat (theres a bump of some thing spongy that forces you to keep your wrist fairly straight instead of resting on the table top and your hand and fingers arching up over the mouse. I have a similer thing along the front of my keyboard to do the same thing when typing), it seems to assist.

Forgot to add, I don't have any trouble getting confused changing mousing hands... however it's funny watching others try to drive my left handed mouse right handed... the pop-up context menu gets a workout!

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Variety definitely helps. I have a trackball in the office and a touchpad on my laptop.

 

[127]

I also have wrist support mouse mat (theres a bump of some thing spongy that forces you to keep your wrist fairly straight instead of resting on the table top and your hand and fingers arching up over the mouse. I have a similer thing along the front of my keyboard to do the same thing when typing), it seems to assist.

These things are REALLY dubious... They activly encourage you rest your arms lower than your hands, and twist your wrists back - a sure way to damage your wrists. They also force you to make more movement with yourr wrist rather than moving your whole hand. They're better than resting your arms on the desk, but thats REALLY REALLY bad. Your hands should be a line with your arms, and the best way to to that is to keep your arms nice and high.

re - tablets: Don't know how much they'll help with RSI, though just the change will probalbly do you good. However you DON'T need to go for the huge one. In fact many people buy a huge one, and then "upgrade" to something smaller. The smaller tablets have sufficient accuracy, and reduce the distances you need to move your arm - too large a tablet and you get tired.

Ian

 

[WarEaglemtn]

What is RSI?

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Repetitive stress injury (including carpal tunnel syndrome and such like).

 

[Flotsam]

I find that holding the stylus for extended periods of time can be fatigueing and eventually, painful.

 

[Baxter Bradford]

Thanks for the responses. I have done some reading on the issues, reorganised my desk paying attention to advice given above about arm placement and decided to go for the A4 tablet which I understand will give 1:1 mapping. Currently it all feels very strange!
Having a pen adds another implement which ought to reduce some of the repetition. Also being left handed, but have become accustomed to mousing with my Right, it will enable me to spread the load still further.
If it didn't hurt so, my fingers would be crossed!