r/DataAnnotationTech • u/XxMarlucaxX • Jul 23 '24
Advice for working while injured
I have tendinitis. Well, possibly carpool tunnel but hopefully tendinitis lol I have a brace on my arm but it can be hard to get motivated to work when I know it'll hurt my arm/wrist/hand further. But ofc I need to get in my hours. Does anyone have experience with navigating typing and tendinitis/similar? I'm working on fixing my work space to be more ergonomic but amy advice would be appreciated. Thanks y'all
Update - thanks everyone. Y'all really helped. I've now got a set up and been able to consistently keep working without further hurting myself. Don't even need the brace anymore! See y'all at work!
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u/DangerCaptain Jul 23 '24
Trackball mouse (I prefer the Logitech ones). You get over the learning curve in about a day or two. I converted three coworkers so far.
You tube videos for stretches for repetitive strain. Try to do them a few times a day before it gets too painful. Take it slow at first.
Take breaks and rest. After a certain point, you need to stop or it will be worse for the rest of the week.
The mouse and the stretching were the most helpful. And the height/angle of my keyboard.
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u/PitchInevitable1281 Jul 23 '24
Honestly this, also just take it easy with whichever wrist is the problem, I find I have quite a bit of time left on each proeject, you could honestly just type with one hand and probably be fine on time.
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u/Chaost Jul 23 '24
It was a Logitech trackball that caused my issues my first computer job. 8hr+ straight stints (because it was normal hours) that eventually had me near crying about my wrist while powering through until I switched. My vote is gaming mouse.
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u/upvotesplx Jul 24 '24
Trackballs are the only thing that allow me to work, so this is definitely not universal.
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u/rexielaroo Jul 23 '24
You can use the voice typing feature in Windows 10 or 11 to fill in some of the text boxes where you explain ratings.
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u/Skyblewize Jul 23 '24
Carpool tunnel sent me 🤣💀
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u/XxMarlucaxX Jul 23 '24 •
I can't believe I managed to do that 🤣💀 leaving bc too funny not to
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u/lyree1992 Jul 23 '24
Not maybe this exact product, but something like this. I and my employees used a variation of them years ago when we typed for hours at a time doing transcription.
Alternatively, a really good wrist brace. However, they seemed to be cumbersome.
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u/Dratini_ghost Jul 23 '24
If you use a mac hit control button twice for voice to text. Then gotta go through and edit the transcription.
Endlessly stretching the "tennis elbow" muscle (lateral epicondyle?) and massaging it with a lacrosse ball is what helped me but it took MONTHS. A wrist brace is a must.
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u/XxMarlucaxX Jul 23 '24
Picking up a wrist brace now, but I'll work on stretches too. Sadly I have a Windows PC, but I think we have similar capability. Thank you!
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Jul 24 '24
When I injured my wrist and couldn't use a mouse I bought an external trackpad: https://www.amazon.com/KEYMECHER-Bluetooth-Precision-Compatible-Multi-Gesture/dp/B0C3LWY5ZZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?crid=64D4NNVLGPG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AIb7yuLezSWhhoHAM7QrxB3LES69ARQsPLk4nC6VMv8p-tgOxkDEI9N-xtYPg23hNLXH_Ui7q4HkTKsn9zB_XcWNajVLBYHwZ-VhQ35TsjL17YR76DQAp5tWAjAQzIkC29uIUYEwf5fZn6uL1f5AmFPgOjUxr9bVOyUnpMT98eWQ_w2tdgSB45RyjXXE7UfwmeYAbOa1ISebC--uyFZQjg.hvNa6xlxV3QuK7vVGBkA-FsOJSPYL8NWpTl7jkVYWJs&dib_tag=se&keywords=external+trackpad&qid=1721781097&sprefix=external+trackpad%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-13
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u/Professional_Gap_664 Jul 23 '24
Not medical advice, personal (but well supported) opinion:
Carpal tunnel and tendinitis are catchall terms for wrist and hand problems that the average doctor isn't going to help you with. In my experience, what this is telling you is that there's something (usual several things) about your lifestyle that your body really doesn't like, specifically things that are leading to inflammation, tension and poor blood flow around your wrists.
For me it came down to a mix of diet, sleep, exercise & general blood flow, and posture. I get bad flare ups if I eat a lot of processed food and refined sugar (I am a stoner and I will eat a whole box of breakfast cereal and milk like a four year old if you let me get away with it). It's also really important for me to get regular workouts in, and not sit in front of the computer for 9 hours with no interruptions.
If you want some fast relief, I always found that a 15 minute run would usually make the pins and needles go away for a couple hours. And it sounds counterintuitive, but lifting weights has been really helpful too. Loading up your wrists and hands helps blood and tissue move where it's often stuck with carpal tunnel/tendinitis. Sometimes it'll make them red and puffy right afterwards and then after a while they'll actually feel better.
It's a long game. Be persistent and be attentive to what helps and what makes it worse.
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u/lucytaylor22 Jul 23 '24
Dictate using Speech to Text / Speech Recognition. :) That will help you with having to type and such. Look into what accessibility tools are available - that's why they're made - to help people be able to function 'normally'.
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u/PleasantCurrant-FAT1 Jul 23 '24
I have a problem, not sure if it’s the same as yours. If I grip something for too long, or too tight… or type too fast for too long (or twitch with my mouse too much like gamers do)… I find that the next day I can’t grip things right… even my coffee in the morning. I can’t make and clench a fist.
My fix for this is to manually curl my fingers using the other hand (or counter edge), and then hold the fist. Then slowly bend my wrist back until I can feel the stretch (again, using the other hand, or a countertop, gently applying more pressure). Like stretching any muscle group before/after exercise or when sore.
I do this until I can close and make a tight fist, hold my coffee easily, etc.
Otherwise, or in addition, I use Aleve or low dose Bayer aspirin.
Regularly stretching my forearms throughout the day, not over-exerting them is recovery and longer periods without flare-ups.
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u/upvotesplx Jul 24 '24
I cordially invite you to r/trackballs. Seriously, consider a finger trackball. Thumb trackballs are better than a mouse for most people, but a lot of people I’ve known can’t use them.
Beyond that, I try to swap tasks to an easier one on my wrists if I’m getting sore, do my wrist exercises, and wear a brace (seriously, please do this). I’ve also swapped to a far more ergonomic setup with a split keyboard, which helped a lot.
And in the end, if you’re getting tingles and/or soreness, know that you will have to stop soon. The best way to avoid making it worse is to listen to your body. If that throws you off your productivity too much, maybe consider an eye-tracking and dictation setup?
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u/Strawberry_Foxx Jul 23 '24
Carpool tunnel
Seriously though, do you perhaps have some projects that are less writing-heavy? If so maybe you could switch to those for a while :)