RSI Medical Advice Needed

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Minor tingling and pain for a few months, but in the last 3-4 weeks it has become much worse. The pain is interfering with sleep, work and everyday life. He’s been trying to limit computer use, but he’s a CS major and working in a lab programming. </p>

<p>What type of physician or medical professional would you recommend? He’ll start at the medical center on campus, but has insurance in case he needs a specialist. We’ve done numerous internet searches but there doesn’t seem to be a concensus on type of doctor. I’m hoping some of you have experience (either professional or personal). Thanks.</p>

2

<p>That should be consensus.</p>

3

<p>Has he gone to the Disabilities office of his university? RSI is very common among students (especially grad students working on their disserations) so his university should have someone who could give advice as well as referral to the university’s health services.</p>

4

<p>I take it the problem is in his wrist/hands? The university probably has an ergonomics expert who could assess his situation and suggest improvements (wrist rests, etc.). There’s probably also a lot of advice online on how to set up a workstation.</p>

5

<p>He hasn’t done any of the above yet, but he’s doing it this week. Yes, his college does have services, but 2 people in his lab have not been satisfied with the medical treatment received on campus, and we were looking for an off-campus specialist if necessary. </p>

<p>Thanks for the replies.</p>

6

<p>In the interim, buy him a gel wrist pad to put up against his keyboard or laptop. An ergonomic keyboard with a desktop or laptop would also help if he can find one that suits.</p>

7

<p>sounds like fairly classic carpal tunnel syndrome sx., based on what you present thus far. See: <a href=“http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm#68973049[/url]”>http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm#68973049&lt;/a&gt; You might try a neurologist first, who can direct treatment to eather a physical therapist, hand surgeon or both.</p>

8

<p>Use of a compression glove and ice packs will give him some relief.</p>

9

<p>This Harvard website looks helpful: <a href=“http://www.rsi.deas.harvard.edu/resources.html[/url]”>http://www.rsi.deas.harvard.edu/resources.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;