mouse arm

Mouse arm: description

The mouse arm is still a relatively unknown disease in Germany. Affected are primarily the hand and arm, but also shoulder and neck. In the English-speaking world, the mouse arm is also referred to as “RSI syndrome” and is recognized, for example, in the US as an occupational disease. RSI stands for Repetitive Strain Injury, in English: “a repetitive strain injury”. The cause of the syndrome is thus a chronic over- and underload. The term “syndrome” already indicates that several symptoms can occur simultaneously. Typical of a mouse arm are discomfort, muscle weakness and especially pain.

A mouse arm can affect people of all ages. About 60 percent of people who spend more than three hours a day on the computer complain about complaints. Colloquially, the RSI syndrome is therefore also referred to as “secretary’s disease”. Often people with other problems such as metabolic disorders are affected earlier and after less stress than otherwise healthy people.

It is not known how many people in Germany are affected by a mouse arm. Doctors believe, however, that it is a very common disease. Technological developments such as the introduction of computers, mobile phones and other small electronic devices (Playstation, Gameboy, etc.) have dramatically increased the monotonous burden on the arms and hands of large parts of the population.

Mouse arm: symptoms

A mouse arm (RSI syndrome) is characterized by a number of different complaints in the upper half of the body. Especially affected are the neck, shoulders, arms and hands. Contrary to the name, a mouse arm thus does not only occur in the area of ​​the arm.

In the early stages of the disease, those affected notice symptoms such as tingling and discomfort in the affected area of ​​the body. This can lead to a loss of strength in the affected muscles. At a very early stage, symptoms of a mouse arm appear only at longer exposures. In addition, the symptoms in this stage of the disease usually disappear quickly as soon as the person concerned is spared.

If the causative burden remains, coordination difficulties in the arms, hands and fingers also occur over time. The joints of the hand, elbow, shoulder and neck can stiffen. At a later stage, pain occurs again and again on the affected area of ​​the body. Low loads are often enough to trigger the symptoms. In the late stages, the symptoms may even persist despite physical protection.

Mouse Arm: Causes and Risk Factors

A mouse arm is the result of a strong chronic over- and underload of the arm muscles. The RSI syndrome occurs mainly in people who work a lot with their hands. Technological progress has led to a significant increase in the incidence of RSI syndrome as more and more people spend many hours a day working on their computers. In particular, text processors and graphic designers are often affected by a mouse arm. Repeated movements such as tapping or mouse clicks can cause an RSI syndrome.

Individual risk factors

Certain individual factors have a significant influence on the development of a mouse arm: These include primarily chronic stress and a high workload. An unhealthy body posture (curved back, strained neck area, static holding work) also promotes the development of RSI syndrome. A non-ergonomic workplace is the main cause of poor posture and thus of the mouse arm in many people.

Physicians also assume that the development of a mouse arm is enhanced by a reduced perception of the signals of the own body. If pain is hidden intentionally or unconsciously suppresses the perception of pain, this leads to a greater load on the arms. Since the natural protection of the body from excessive stress is eliminated, a faster chronic irritation.

Changes in the brain maintain pain

Obviously, not only the chronic physical overload but also complex processing mechanisms in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) contribute to a mouse arm. First, the chronic stress leads to irritation of muscles, ligaments and surrounding tissue. This chronic pain stimulus in the spinal cord, where the signals are processed, leads to a change in pain perception. Even if the pain-causing stress no longer exists, the pain can continue to be felt.

In addition, another effect may play a role: Scientists believe that the constant repetition of certain movements subconsciously linked to specific stimuli such as a mouse click or the viewing of the screen. If movement and stimulus have been associated with pain often enough, pain is reported in the brain every time muscles, ligaments, and joints are not overstressed.

Mouse arm: examinations and diagnosis

If you regularly suffer from pain or discomfort in the arms, then the family doctor or an orthopedist is the right person to contact. However, the mouse arm in Germany is far from being understood by all doctors. If necessary, you should consult a doctor who has demonstrably studied the subject, for example, by writing publications.

In the case of a mouse arm, the diagnosis is made mainly on the basis of the medical history (anamnesis). The anamnesis interview is therefore particularly important. You should tell the doctor all the changes you have noticed. Above all, it is important to report when and in which intensity the pain occurs. Subsequently, the doctor asks various questions such as:

• Where, when and how often do the complaints occur?
• How long have the complaints been?
• What do you do professionally and how many hours do you work on average per day?
• Do you have similar sensations elsewhere in the body?

At the conclusion of the anamnesis a physical examination takes place. The doctor scans the painful area and checks whether it can trigger or increase the pain by pressure. He also tests the mobility of the adjacent joints and the strength of the muscles.

Various functional tests can give additional indications of the type of disease: especially in an advanced stage, a measurement of the nerve conduction velocity (NLG) is often performed. Thus, the RSI syndrome can be distinguished from the carpal tunnel syndrome, which typically has a decreased nerve conduction velocity of a particular nerve in the forearm and hand.

Imaging procedures give no indication of a mouse arm, as in a mouse arm no anatomical changes are detectable. However, such recordings are made, for example, if affected persons suffered in the past from other injuries of the same body region. Then there is the possibility that the healing of this injury has not been completed or has not been completed correctly and that the present symptoms are due to earlier damage.

Mouse arm: treatment

Depending on the strength and duration of the pain, different treatment methods may be considered for the treatment of the mouse arm. The most important therapy of a mouse arm is a change in working conditions. Physicians speak of an exposure prophylaxis. In addition, methods of physical medicine and medications can help alleviate the symptoms of mouse-arm. In particular, people with chronic mouse arms can also benefit from psychotherapeutic treatment.

Prevent mouse arm

It is important in predominantly sedentary activities that you sit straight and comfortable. The neck, shoulders and arms should be as relaxed as possible. Also avoid drafts and cold hands during prolonged computer work. The best way to exercise new patterns of movement in the workplace. These should be permanently maintained in the future in order to avoid a relapse. In addition, the workplace should be set up according to ergonomic principles. At an office workstation, emphasis should be placed on an ergonomically optimized seat as well as on an ergonomically designed keyboard and mouse.

During regular breaks, a mouse arm should perform exercises to relax the muscles and joints. A simple exercise, for example, is to clench a fist and open it slowly with your fingers first bent and only at the end. Equally effective are exercises in which you press your hands against each other or against the wall and bend your wrists. In addition, you should regularly stretch the head and neck area to release tension. Tilt your head in different directions and hold each position for a few seconds. Also, the shaking of the arms as well as regular turning and stretching of the upper body help with a mouse arm. Exercises like these can be flexibly integrated into your daily work routine. There is no set order. Each exercise can be repeated as often as you like.

Physical therapy measures

In addition to exposure prophylaxis, physical therapies are used to treat a mouse arm. These include heat and cold treatments with compresses, as well as gymnastics and massages. In many cases also exercise baths do well. You move the affected joints in warm water with certain medical additives. These help the muscles to relax and reduce the pain. A similar effect is the regular use of heat lamps (infrared lamps).

Drug measures

If sufferers are severely impaired by the pain, a mouse arm treatment can also be medicated. Painkillers (analgesics) can be taken for the pain. Also, the anti-inflammatory cortisone is occasionally used. Generally, however, pain medication should not be considered a permanent remedy for a mouse arm, as it is a purely symptomatic treatment that does not address the underlying causes.

psychotherapy

Especially for chronic RSI syndrome psychotherapy is also recommended. For example, it explains the connection between the triggering factors, the processes in the brain and the pain that occurs in the affected pain patients. In the individual therapy sessions then possibilities are shown to deal with the pain and practiced changed behaviors. These include, for example, special relaxation methods and the learning of new thinking strategies.

Mouse arm: Disease course and prognosis

The prognosis for a mouse arm depends primarily on the person concerned. Basically, a mouse arm is an avoidable disease that can be positively influenced by proper behavior. If those affected take the symptoms seriously at an early stage of the disease, for example, by trying to correct responsible causes in the workplace and to protect the affected part of the body, the prognosis is usually good. In many cases, however, affected persons seek medical attention only at a chronic stage. At this time, the treatment is more difficult and the prospect of healing significantly worse. In the worst case one affects mouse arm the affected person so much that a further exercise of the learned profession is no longer possible.