Desk Job Proves to be Painful for Some

Dan Fendler, AT Specialist
Sussex County ATRC

Do you have arthritis? Has working with your computer become frustrating or painful? If you answered yes to either one or both questions, you should be aware that there may be tools or techniques available that can help.

First, Look at Your Work Area
Is your space ergonomically designed? Ergonomics, also known as human design, is intended to maximize productivity by minimizing operator fatigue and discomfort. For anyone with arthritis, minimizing discomfort is crucial.

Many of us with computers on our desks, either at work or at home, put the monitor and keyboard wherever there is room, with little thought given to our comfort. Placing a monitor and keyboard on an inadequate space can cause a lot of discomfort, even for someone without arthritis. If you sit in front of a computer for an hour or more a day, you may want to rethink its placement. The monitor should be placed so that you can sit comfortably in front of it, at eye level. The keyboard should sit where there is enough exposed desk top to provide some arm support.

One of the most common mistakes people make is setting their monitor too high. The monitor should be at eye level so that you don’t need to strain your neck to see it. The older CRT monitors (big, clunky, and TV-like) take up a lot of space, and have limited adjustability. If using your computer causes you discomfort, you may want to consider replacing the old monitor with a flat panel monitor. Flat panel monitors take up considerably less space on a desk and have a much greater range of height adjustment. They have also gotten much more affordable.

Another comfort area to consider is your office furniture. Make sure that the chair you use fits you. You should be able to sit with your feet flat on the floor and your body weight should be supported by the entire length of the back of your legs, not just the “sitz bone.” Your desk should also be at a comfortable height. There are many different ergonomically designed chairs and adjustable height desk options available. Use of one of these chairs and/or desks may help reduce discomfort.

Keyboards and Mice
There are many different keyboard and mouse options available as well. The keyboard that came with my last desktop computer carried this warning on the back: “Warning! Use of a keyboard or mouse may be linked to serious injuries or disorders!” The warning is relative to repetitive stress injuries (carpal tunnel syndrome and other musculoskeletal disorders).

But use of a keyboard and mouse can cause even more discomfort in people with arthritis. Consider using an ergonomically designed keyboard and mouse—devices that are designed to accommodate your hands, instead of your hands accommodating the devices. There are many different options available.

If your arms need some additional support, consider using arm supports. There are a number of different options available that may help you feel more comfortable.

If using a keyboard causes you pain, you may want to consider voice recognition software, like Dragon Naturally Speaking. This software program can be “trained” to understand your voice and convert it into text on your computer. The training only takes about 15 minutes or so, and the recognition rate (how well it recognizes your voice) can be quite high if the pitch of your voice doesn’t fluctuate too much.

If you have any questions related to the equipment discussed above, please call your local resource center.

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