CEDAR NOTCH, Colorado (CNM) -- First came carpal tunnel syndrome. Then "pager thumb." Now physical therapists say they are treating a growing number of patients with pain in the outer elbow caused by long hours of mouse use.
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| Physical therapists recommend frequent breaks from the mouse |
"These patients are clicking 5,000, 10,000 times a day," said physical therapist Sandra Kowalski. "Day traders are the worst. Then online shoppers. Then people who play solitaire at work, who will not admit it."
Experts recommend keeping the mouse close to the keyboard, taking breaks every 30 minutes and alternating hands. Some suggest trackballs or keyboard shortcuts.
Ergonomic-product makers are seizing the opportunity. One company is selling a $79 mouse shaped like a joystick. Another offers a wrist pad filled with what it calls "therapeutic gel" and what one reviewer called "pudding."
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