Page 31 - Waterfall Issue 9 2021

sLouCH PoTATo

We look at bad computer posture related to

upper limb syndromes and give tips for an

ergonomic workstation at home
o ur work lives have changed ball to avoid long typing hours with

the wrist in a flexed position.
dramatically during the
pandemic, leading to
large numbers of people CuBiTAL TunnEL
working from home. This often syndRoME
means working hunched on your Compression of the ulna nerve at the
bed or leaning over your dining elbow can occur when keeping your
room table, as opposed to your well elbows in a flexed (bent) position
put together office workstation. for long periods. A chair with a rigid By Dr Ashley Naidoo, Specialist
This can lead to a myriad of painful armrest upon which the flexed elbow Hand, Shoulder and Upper Limb
hand, wrist, and elbow problems. is positioned for an extended time Surgeon at Waterfall City Hospital
POLOFIELDS_WaterfallMag_NewHalfPageAd_Sept2021_FINAL_cropmarks&bleed.pdf 1 2021/08/23 08:26:20
can also cause this. and Co-Founder of Gauteng
Symptoms usually consist Orthopaedic Associates
of pain on the inside
of the elbow with pins
and needles radiating compression and symptoms. Taking
down the forearm and appropriate breaks and doing
a clawed posture of the stretching exercises in extension
little and ring fingers. can also assist with relief. A choice
Therapy with nerve glide of an ergonomic chair with a well-
exercises and sometimes padded elbow rest is best.
splinting the hand can
improve symptoms, A simple tip to improve your
IMAGE CREDIT: WWW.BODYINBALANCE.COM
with surgical release posture is to follow the 90/90/90
CARPAL TunnEL performed for refractory cases. rule. Keeping your screen at eye
C level reduces neck pain, whilst
syndRoME
M A simple set-up of maintaining a having the correct elbow and wrist
A long-standing association exists
between personal computer usage and
Y maximum of 90 degrees of elbow reach with a well-padded armrest
the compression of the median nerve flexion, when seated and typing chair will reduce wrist and elbow
CM
at the wrist. Patients usually complain for long periods, can reduce nerve pain and nerve compressions.
MY
of dull wrist pain with numbness or
CY
pins and needles radiating to the
CMY
thumb and index finger. Although Good sitting
K
more common on the dominant hand, Ergonomics:
it can occur in both wrists. Treatment
usually involves hand therapy for nerve Hips, knees
glide exercises and strengthening, with and elbows
surgical releases for refractory cases. ideally at a
90 degree
This can be circumvented by using a
wrist support in front of your keyboard angle
and occasionally squeezing a stress IMAGE CREDIT: WWW.BODYINBALANCE.COM

Waterfall Issue 9 2021 29