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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Disclaimer: This article is intended as general information about carpal tunnel syndrome and ergonomic considerations. It is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnose or treat carpal tunnel syndrome. If you are experiencing persistent, severe or worsening symptoms, speak to a healthcare professional.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that affects the hand and wrist. It occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed or irritated. The median nerve runs through a narrow passageway in the wrist called the Carpal Tunnel. This nerve provides sensation to parts of the hand and controls some of the muscles involved in thumb movement.

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can develop for a number of reasons, and in some cases, there is no single identifiable cause. Factors that can increase the risk include:

Wrist injuries
Arthritis
Diabetes
Pregnancy
Certain repetitive hand and wrist activities
Prolonged awkward/non-natural wrist positions

Workstation setup and the way we use a mouse or keyboard can therefore be worth considering when managing wrist and hand comfort.

What Are The Symptoms?

Symptoms can vary from person to person, but common symptoms may include numbness, tingling or burning sensation in the hand, wrist and fingers. Some individuals may experience symptoms that are worse at night or first thing in the morning. As the conditions progresses, it can sometimes cause weakness, reduced grip strength or difficulty with tasks requiring fine hand movements.

How Can Your Workstation Affect Symptoms?

Your workstation setup can affect how comfortable your hands and wrists feel during prolonged mouse and keyboard use. Keeping your wrists in a comfortable, relatively neutral position and avoiding excessive bending may help reduce strain and prevent existing symptoms from being aggravated.

Ergonomic products are not a treatment or cure for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but they can form part of a wider approach to creating a more comfortable workstation and managing potential triggers. If you regularly experience symptoms such as pain, numbness or tingling, speak to a healthcare professional for appropriate advice and treatment.

Choosing a vertical mouse combined with a compact keyboard or split keyboard can provide alternative hand, wrist and forearm positions that may reduce discomfort and lessen the intensity of symptoms for some people.

Choosing A Vertical Mouse

A vertical mouse can offer an alternative to the traditional mouse position by encouraging a more natural, upright forearm and hand position, often referred to as the “handshake position”. This can reduce the amount of forearm rotation required when using a mouse and may help improve comfort for people experiencing wrist or hand discomfort, including those affected by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. While a vertical mouse is not a treatment or cure for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, choosing a design that supports a more comfortable working position may help mitigate symptoms for some users.

We offer a wide range of vertical mice to suit both left-hand and right-handed users. Our first choice would be the EasyGrip Vertical Mouse, which combines an ergonomic design, comfortable grip, precise tracking and is also at an accessible price point. Another popular choice would be the Contour Unimouse due to its adjustable design and dedicated thumb rest.

Choosing An Ergonomic Keyboard

A compact keyboard or split ergonomic keyboard can provide an alternative to a traditional straight keyboard layout, helping users maintain a more natural hand, wrist and forearm position. Compact keyboards remove the built-in number pad from the right-hand side, keeping the mouse closer to the user and reducing unnecessary reaching or stretching. This can encourage a more natural posture and help minimise strain during prolonged computer use. Our recommended compact keyboard is Ultra Slim Mini Keyboard V2 due to its low-profile design, silent keys and smooth typing experience. Other popular models include Ergostars Saturnus S-Board 840 Mini Keyboard and UltraBoard 950 Keyboard V2.

Split keyboards separate the keys into two sections, allowing users to position their hands more comfortably and reduce awkward wrist positioning. Our recommended split keyboard is BC Split Ergonomic Keyboard V2, which combines a split design with a built-in wrist rest and palm support. This provides additional support while typing and makes it easier to maintain a comfortable position throughout the working day. Other popular models include Kinesis Freestyle 2 Keyboard and Goldtouch Elite Keyboard.