Did you know the natural resting position of the wrist and forearm is the ‘thumbs-up’ position? This is a contrast to the position the standard flat mouse puts your arm in, rotating the forearm to get the hand in a palm down position (pronation).
One of the benefits of a vertical mouse is it can prevent pronation. Pronation of the hand and wrist tightens the joint space of the two forearm bones. Another problem with this pronated position is that some users may be tempted to move the mouse only using their wrist. This radial (towards the thumb) and/or ulnar (towards the baby finger) bending can increase the pressure in the carpal tunnel.
Increased wrist pressure is highly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. For workers who can not limit their time using a mouse, a vertical mouse may reduce strain and prevent this injury.
Why Use a Vertical Mouse?
- The forearm is positioned in an anatomical rest position that requires decreased muscle use
- The wrist relaxes on the ‘bony’ baby finger side and there is no compression of the soft tissue of the wrist
- The wrist remains in a comfortable neutral position and the mouse is moved using the larger muscles of the arm and not the wrist
Using a Vertical Mouse
- Relax the thumb on the thumb support. Holding the thumb in the air will increase the work done by the two thumb tendons.
- Move the mouse with a pivot motion from the elbow, and not by bending the wrist
Do you use a vertical mouse?