Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse Recommendations?

I've been developing some hand, wrist, and forearm pain recently and so I'm looking for ways to mitigate that.

I've been using wrist braces and have tried stretching, icing, etc. I plan to go to a doctor soon to see what's recommended.

In the meantime, I've been wondering about my posture and/or if my keyboard and mouse are causing any strain.

Does anyone have any recommendations on great ergonomic keyboard and mice they've used that they love?

The main thing I care about is extremely low latency/response time. I don't want a laggy mouse or keyboard.

Thanks in advance!

I would wait and see what the doctor says. You could have RSI or arthritis, or something else.

Thing you need to know is if you are getting back and neck pain as well? Can you notice when the wrist ache becomes more sore - is it when using the keyboard or mouse? Or is it generally always quite sore ...

In terms of mouse and keyboard, I like heavy mouse and stiff mechanical keyboard, as I feel they exercises the muscles more. Nothing else.

I second the use of a mechanical keyboard. I have one with linear switches and they are a lot easier on my fingers than my old crappy keyboard. I also don't get as much wrist pain since I bought it. It's a Logitech G815 wired, so no latency or lag.

As for the mouse, perhaps one of the trackball "mice" might suit you better than a regular mouse. One of my co-workers has one and he says that he doesn't get neck and shoulder pain anymore since he has been using it. They do take a little getting used to though.

I hope you find something that works for you.

iko22 said:

I would wait and see what the doctor says. You could have RSI or arthritis, or something else.

Thing you need to know is if you are getting back and neck pain as well? Can you notice when the wrist ache becomes more sore - is it when using the keyboard or mouse? Or is it generally always quite sore ...

In terms of mouse and keyboard, I like heavy mouse and stiff mechanical keyboard, as I feel they exercises the muscles more. Nothing else.

Click to expand...

Good idea! Yeah I have neck and back pain too.

Catnip said:

I second the use of a mechanical keyboard. I have one with linear switches and they are a lot easier on my fingers than my old crappy keyboard. I also don't get as much wrist pain since I bought it. It's a Logitech G815 wired, so no latency or lag.

As for the mouse, perhaps one of the trackball "mice" might suit you better than a regular mouse. One of my co-workers has one and he says that he doesn't get neck and shoulder pain anymore since he has been using it. They do take a little getting used to though.

I hope you find something that works for you.

Click to expand...

Yes! I use a WASD V3 Custom Mechanical Keyboard with Cherry MX Brown Keyswitches and a Logitech M720 Triathlon Mouse currently, probably for the last two years or so.

davidvkimball said:

I've been developing some hand, wrist, and forearm pain recently

Click to expand...

It could be arthritis. I have basically the same symptoms on right arm. My problem started out as trigger thumb. When they did the X-rays, they found that I also had arthritis. Now I have mild pain in the lower part of my thumb to about 6' up my arm. (just on the thumb side). I also find myself dropping small objects a lot. When I overdo it and when using the mouse, it happens often, I use an over-the-counter pain medication. It's not a cure but it does help. I do recommend seeing a doctor to make sure what it is.

Has anyone tried the Logitech MX Vertical Advanced Ergonomic Mouse?

It's supposed to be good for overcoming and/or avoiding wrist pain due to the natural handshake position that your hand is in when using it, as opposed to regular mice where your hand is facing down.

The first thing you should do is to be sure your posture is correct. Sit up straight, butt to the back of the chair, back straight, and with eyes "looking" straight ahead at the monitor.

I use the Logitech Wave keyboard/mouse combo. When I'm typing, my elbows are tucked into my waist with hands turned slightly to the center of the keyboard. I also use a mouse pad with a raised area for my wrist to lay on.

It took some time for the carpal tunnel like symptoms to disappear, but they did. You might want to try the mouse @Stigg recommends, although the mouse that came with my Wave keyboard works well for me.

My doc put me into a wrist brace which worked OK, but slowed my typing down so much I couldn't meet production (worked for Texaco), although I did speed up after awhile.

Yes, you should see a doctor, but the problem with that is that doctors aren't all that familiar with problems working on a computer can cause.

Here's a site that may help you until you get to your doctor. Eight Ergonomic Tips for Keyboard and Mouse Setup - Your Body Posture

There is another good idea when you find that your mouse use is giving you problems with your hand, wrist and shoulder.

Switch over to the other hand. If you're normally a right handed mouse user, get yourself a good left handed mouse. Switch the buttons over so that the same fingers are used. For example. Set it up so the index finger is used for both the left and right handed mouse clicks. You'll be surprised just how quickly you can become efficient at using a mouse in the other hand.

Keep both the left and right handed mice connected, so you can easily switch between the two.
Install EitherMouse. It allows you to easily switch between the two mice. It can even swap buttons and inverse the cursor arrow for you, and much more.

EitherMouse
Instantly changes settings when any mouse is used:

• Swap buttons
• Mirror cursor
• Adjust speeds
• and more...
  
  
• Leave multiple mice on a pc and automatically swap buttons on each mouse.​
• Have a left-handed and a right-handed mouse always connected and ready to use.​
• Match speeds across different mice, ie touchpad and mouse with different speeds.​
• Accommodate left-handed and right handed users easily on multi-user or public workstations.​
• Helps prevent RSI/injury issues by allowing seamless switching between hands.​
• Quickly change mouse settings from system tray if only one mouse is used.​

Freeware! No ads, no nags, free software, suggestions appreciated!

Stigg said:

Has anyone tried the Logitech MX Vertical Advanced Ergonomic Mouse?

It's supposed to be good for overcoming and/or avoiding wrist pain due to the natural handshake position that your hand is in when using it, as opposed to regular mice where your hand is facing down.

Logitech MX Vertical Ergonomic Wireless Mouse

Shop MX Vertical. Features natural handshake position, vertical angle for improved wrist posture, textured surface, custom buttons, cursor speed switch, & more

www.logitech.com

Click to expand...

I have one, and it helped sort the epicondylitis I had developed through years of normal mouse use. However, it is nowhere near the quality of the MX master range and it is pretty lightweight with a normal scroll wheel (not hyper scroll). I reverted back to my MX master 3 as soon as my elbows had recovered.

z3r010 said:

I have one, and it helped sort the epicondylitis I had developed through years of normal mouse use. However, it is nowhere near the quality of the MX master range and it is pretty lightweight with a normal scroll wheel (not hyper scroll). I reverted back to my MX master 3 as soon as my elbows had recovered.

Click to expand...

There is another similar mouse called Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse.
It has both left and right handed versions.

But I really believe to get the best relief is to do what I said in my previous post #8.
It works wonders.

Yeah, you would need to check the reviews comparing them, I can't see the cheaper one being better than the original flagship version.

I've had three wrist surgeries and a shoulder surgery.
Don't underestimate the damage that continuous mouse use can cause when you're working on computers every day.

Stigg said:

There is another similar mouse called Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse.
It has both left and right handed versions.

Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse | Logitech

Shop Lift Vertical Mouse. Features soft textured grip, easy reach quiet buttons, natural handshake position, silent scroll, and made for small to medium hands

www.logitech.com

But I really believe to get the best relief is to do what I said in my previous post #8.
It works wonders.

Click to expand...

The MX Vertical is for medium to large hands. The Lift is for small hands. They have a size chart on the web page.

Winuser said:

The MX Vertical is for medium to large hands. The Lift is for small hands. They have a size chart on the web page.

Click to expand...

Good info.