I was convinced I had a bike fit issue

[palinurus]

For some time now I've thought I've had a bike setup problem, I've been getting pain in my right hand at the base of the thumb. I've raised the bars with a more angled stem, started to think about replacing the forks so I can bring the bars up even further.

Except last week I switched to using my left hand for working the mouse and it's eased up quite a bit already, so maybe it was that.

I'm getting pretty handy with left hand mousing now.

 

[2Loose]

Early signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? I switched to using a trackball for similiar reasons, but I am too cack handed to use my left hand.

 

[martint235]

For some time now I've thought I've had a bike setup problem, I've been getting pain in my right hand at the base of the thumb. I've raised the bars with a more angled stem, started to think about replacing the forks so I can bring the bars up even further.

Except last week I switched to using my left hand for working the mouse and it's eased up quite a bit already, so maybe it was that.

I'm getting pretty handy with left hand mousing now.

Do you use drop bars and do you have your hands on the hoods most of the time? If yes, rather than raising the bars, try altering the angle of the levers to the bars. You may find that if they are lower than horizontal to the ground, you're putting too much pressure on the bit between thumb and forefinger.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

track balls are great for those issues - we have 2 (work & home) for my OH becuase he was starting to show signs of repetitive strain injuries in his right hand. the really decent ones are not cheap. this one is his favourite and it is excellent to use.

hope it continues to feel better.

 

[fossyant]

Things like this can be very anoying. I suffered a sore wrist for some time on the bike, and it didn't seem to be getting better. Realised it was the way I was sleeping with my hand being bent at an angle, so used a wrist support bandage for a few weeks, and it cleared up.

 

[palinurus]

Thanks for the tips. I'll see how it goes after a bit more left-handed mousing and if it clears up I'll look at modifying my mouse setup. Difficult to know what is causing it for sure- it could be the result of an interaction between bike and mouse setup for all I know.

Feels pretty good today, it was pretty sore middle of last week.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Thanks for the tips. I'll see how it goes after a bit more left-handed mousing and if it clears up I'll look at modifying my mouse setup. Difficult to know what is causing it for sure- it could be the result of an interaction between bike and mouse setup for all I know.

Feels pretty good today, it was pretty sore middle of last week.

just curious but do you cage your mice in the front or rear wheel of your bike for that extra speed?
usually problems lie between the chair and the keyboard....

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

I always use trackballs except on the laptop.

 

[briantrumpet]

but I am too cack handed to use my left hand.

Please, us lefties are cack-handed, sinister and gauche, all at the same time. Please don't go nicking our negative connotations.

 

[J.Primus]

If you're getting carpal tunnel from using a mouse try this
http://www.posturite.co.uk/mice-keyboard-devices/vertical-mice/penguin-mouse.html
My wife had terrible RSI and carpal tunnel but it hasn't come back since she changed to an upright mouse. It doesn't put any pressure on the top of your wrist as it's turned side on.

 

[boydj]

Thanks for the tips. I'll see how it goes after a bit more left-handed mousing and if it clears up I'll look at modifying my mouse setup. Difficult to know what is causing it for sure- it could be the result of an interaction between bike and mouse setup for all I know.

Feels pretty good today, it was pretty sore middle of last week.

Word of warning - early last year I switched to left-hand mousing for similar reasons. After a couple of months I started to get pains in my left elbow, which gradually got worse over a couple of weeks until I switched back to using the mouse in my right hand. I now use a wrist-rest with my right hand.

 

[PaulSB]

Some years ago I suffered a lot of discomfort in my right wrist and elbow, a constant dull but painful ache. It was caused by my resting my right forearm, almost exactly halfway between wrist and elbow, on the desk edge when using a mouse.

Prior to this I would have poo pooed work place ergonomics but not since.

 

[Shadow]

Word of warning - early last year I switched to left-hand mousing for similar reasons. After a couple of months I started to get pains in my left elbow, which gradually got worse over a couple of weeks until I switched back to using the mouse in my right hand. I now use a wrist-rest with my right hand.

This could be due to other postural reasons rather than just going left. I have used mice on left for 20 years with no adverse effect. Going right-handed with a mouse now just feels weird!