orthopedic mouse

RockoMLife

Well, this is another 'quitting' thread, but not for the usual reasons. It seems I have some kind of arthritis problem or something similar that makes playability very difficult for me. I think the problem is the overuse of the left mouse button (heavy and light attacks) which makes my finger swollen and literally feel like it's on fire.

I have similar problems in other MMOs and games, but in ESO its worst and way more painfull. Last time it happen it was so painful that I decided I needed to find a solution before returning to the game.

So, my first step is to seek medical help, which I am doing in the following month.

My second step, though, is to try to change my mouse to an ergonomic one. With that in mind, I would like to ask if anyone here has gone through a similar situation and if changing the mouse helped in any way, shape, or form. And if so, what kind of mouse are we talking about?

tks in advance!

Caligamy_ESO

RockoMLife wrote: »

Well, this is another 'quitting' thread, but not for the usual reasons. It seems I have some kind of arthritis problem or something similar that makes playability very difficult for me. I think the problem is the overuse of the left mouse button (heavy and light attacks) which makes my finger swollen and literally feel like it's on fire.

I have similar problems in other MMOs and games, but in ESO its worst and way more painfull. Last time it happen it was so painful that I decided I needed to find a solution before returning to the game.

So, my first step is to seek medical help, which I am doing in the following month.

My second step, though, is to try to change my mouse to an ergonomic one. With that in mind, I would like to ask if anyone here has gone through a similar situation and if changing the mouse helped in any way, shape, or form. And if so, what kind of mouse are we talking about?

tks in advance!

I have pretty bad carpal tunnel from working with computers my whole life (and my rampant gaming) Ultimately I had to get rid of the standard mouse and mousepad setup and use trackballs so that my wrist really doesn't need to move, just my thumb and fingers.

There is one mouse I have been using for years, probably a good 15-20 years actually. It's definitely not everyone's cup of tea for sure when it comes to mouse peripherals but I use the ergo m575 from Logitech. The battery is just you regular standard AA, keeps a charge for well over a month even with heavy use like I do and it doesn't require you to use a mousepad so you can place it literally anywhere to that's comfortable for you.

JustLovely

While I have never used a vertical mouse, I think this is what you are looking for. Not sure it will help with your finger much, but this orientation allows better blood flow through the wrist and less pressure on the nerves through the carpel tunnel. The hand surgeon that did my carpel tunnel surgeries uses a mouse like this.

https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/mice/mx-vertical-ergonomic-mouse.910-005447.html?srsltid=AfmBOopex3MHPUz7DkJsvku8RlJYOUr6OqW5cQ-mIIlY9GQ26EJimKZg

Again, can't guarantee this mouse will solve your problem all together, but they do seem to be gaining popularity around offices very quickly.

redlink1979

Have you tried using a gamepad?
https://akwborden.wixsite.com/videogamecontroller/post/top-5-video-game-controllers-arthritic-hands

Regarding mouses: at my job, where I spend a lot of hours on a computer, I'm using a vertical mouse. It's more ergonomic, I think. Maybe you should try one of those.

OsUfi

This might sound silly, but have you thought about buying a foot pedal and assign it as left mouse button. Would let you run heavy attack builds on any class by left clicking your foot?

I kmow that's restrictive, but may help?

Taril

I've had issues with RSI several times over the years (Especially with ARPG's where you have to click to move, click to pick up items, click to attack... So much clicking...)

For me, I've been able to somewhat adapt by using things like a larger mouse to put less strain on the tendon in my thumb.

However, if it's clicking that is causing the issue, then all mice will have a similar result (As even the most ergonomic mice still require a click function with the same fingers). With maybe some trackball mice having a slight benefit (Some will have the ball in the middle so left click is done with the thumb and the index finger manipulates the trackball - Such as this example) though it's hard to say if manipulating a trackball would enflame your condition the same as clicking.

The best solution would be to rebind attack to a key instead that way instead of clicking the left mouse button, you can use a different finger to press a key (You can even try swapping LMB and RMB so you use RMB to attack).

Alternatively, using a gamepad will achieve a similar thing, by making you use a different way of pressing an attack button.

Hopefully you get promising results with medical treatment, since they will be able to help find the cause of the issue and let you know how to mitigate it, which can help you figure out what kind of peripherals would best suit your condition.

DigiAngel

I've been using one of these:

https://store.azeron.eu/azeron-keypads#keypad=cyborg

Pretty sure you could just use this thing to play the entire game, assigning keyboard clicks as left and mouse buttons.

Varana

I've been using a vertical mouse for over a decade now, and it has really helped tremendously. Including for playing ESO.
Not sure about your specific condition, but it's definitely worth a try.

I'm using a Zelotes C-18 Vertical Gaming Mouse at the moment but had others before, like the Logitech one that JustLovely linked.

fizl101

Vertical mice help my wrist issues alot, mine is a logitech (I'm limited as I am also left handed, make sure you check you are buying left or right handed when you choose one)

Franchise408

I simply can't play ESO on keyboard and mouse. Using a controller has been huge. It might be worth a shot

Orbital78

If you can adapt to controller UI, it was a game changer for me. I used standard Xbox wireless controllers for years but I wanted/needed more buttons and keyboard shortcut support. I found Flydigi Vader 3 Pro and I have found it amazing. It isn't the cheapest but it really does have pretty much everything I wanted. I think my version was discontinued for a newer version the 4 Pro now.

For pc an addon like bugcatcher is kind of needed though, those UI errors are horrible without it.

CalamityCat

I got RSI at my first job, and ultimately the best and fastest fix is to identify and stop the bad habits that got you the RSI in the first place. Or rather replace them with better ones that keep your hands and body healthy. Changing hardware can help, but without changing your habits, you'll get pain with the new hardware too. Or your neck and shoulders join the party.

I actually screwed up and gave myself a sore mouse finger that got a tiny bit of swelling, also through playing ESO. Just because I was playing a lot with my guild and doing a lot of combat each night. Playing with friends and having a laugh, I just wasn't thinking to take the breaks/switch activities like I usually do. I'm so used to my hands being normal nowadays, ESO combat is the only thing I'd had pain from in easily 10 years+ of gaming.

I'd suggest a total break from using the mouse with your mouse hand. I'm not sure how long you've been playing with bits of pain here and there, but the quickest fix is a full and total rest rather than trying quick breaks every 30 mins and new hardware. I mean those help, but I just find full rest works the best. You don't want to rest for a week then it seems pain free and you start gaming again and get pain. That's what I did, albeit it was at my job.

If you can't get a Doctor's appointment first, I'd suggest full hand rest for at least a week, better still a month if you can manage it. Then only do very gentle gaming for very short sessions. Like 10 mins max, then go and do something else. Consider some of the gentler heavy attack or arcanist builds so you can still do stuff like dungeons, without the key mashing to weave light attacks etc. After you resume doing stuff, after something like a dungeon it's good to have a quick log off, stretch and go get a drink/snack/do something else for a bit. If you have a quick session just before a meal or activity, it's sometimes easier than setting timers. Try and start a habit of breaking up your time with different activities and posture. Do a dungeon just before a meal for example, then you're taking a break and less inclined to go do another dungeon or whatever.

Another thing - think about what you've been doing that's caused it. If it's long hours just doing general stuff or you've had intensive sessions with fast key mashing. For the former you can set timers and take breaks doing something else. Intensive stuff is quite hard on your hands and also shoulders/neck/back. So just being aware you've done something intensive and now you need a break, makes a big difference. If I've had an active guild night, I'll often have a minimal slow session if I play the next day. So I might make that a day when just do endeavours and zone story quests on my newer characters. Anything that isn't DPS mashing. Use a heavy attack/arcanist build that's gentler on those days too.

The main thing going forward is to always pay attention if any bit of your body hurts during a gaming session. The sooner you stop hurting yourself, the faster it'll heal up. I hope your hand feels better soon!

Desiato

As someone who has worked with computers and played games as a hobby for decades, I've experienced a wide array of RSIs including severe tendinitis, symptoms of severe nerve damage and carpal tunnel syndrome which I've corrected completely through changing my habits.

There have been periods of months where I couldn't operate a PC because the pain and tremors were so severe.

IMO, there is no such thing as a universally ergonomic mouse. Mice marketed as such would be useless for me. After experimenting with quite a few styles of mice over the years, I found I was best with a small lightweight mouse (viper mini) and a hybrid fingertip/wrist/claw grip which breaks all the rules of ergonomics.

What helped me the most is just staying in shape and making sure to keep up with resistance exercises. Rebuilding my arms and shoulders provided the most relief. Of course, a healthy back, hips and core are also required for long periods of sitting, so make sure to at least walk a lot for exercise.

I also stretch constantly and exercise my fingers which I learned how to do from googling and would suggest others do the same. I stretch my fingers every day -- and throughout the day, it has become a habit.

Aside from that, I make sure I'm always square to my desk.

Also, it seems a lot of what has been regarded as a correct sitting position isn't exactly true. Our body will naturally want to change our position to give certain muscles a break. By trying to force a "healthy" seating position all the time, we can actually strain our muscles. This was confirmed in a study I saw referenced recently, but I can't cite anything atm.

Tandor

Desiato wrote: »

Also, it seems a lot of what has been regarded as a correct sitting position isn't exactly true. Our body will naturally want to change our position to give certain muscles a break. By trying to force a "healthy" seating position all the time, we can actually strain our muscles. This was confirmed in a study I saw referenced recently, but I can't cite anything atm.

My former doctor gave me great advice years ago, after I reported pain in my arm which he diagnosed as muscular pain emanating from my neck. He advised me to alter the height of the monitor very slightly, and to do so again from time to time. It's of no particular relevance to the OP but it resolved my problem very well and I mention it here in case it helps anyone else.

Sakiri

JustLovely wrote: »

While I have never used a vertical mouse, I think this is what you are looking for. Not sure it will help with your finger much, but this orientation allows better blood flow through the wrist and less pressure on the nerves through the carpel tunnel. The hand surgeon that did my carpel tunnel surgeries uses a mouse like this.

https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/mice/mx-vertical-ergonomic-mouse.910-005447.html?srsltid=AfmBOopex3MHPUz7DkJsvku8RlJYOUr6OqW5cQ-mIIlY9GQ26EJimKZg

Again, can't guarantee this mouse will solve your problem all together, but they do seem to be gaining popularity around offices very quickly.

I've used this mouse, but currently I'm using one from Evoluent.

I need an ergo mouse, I have ulnar and carpal tunnel issues. they take a little getting used to, but it helps a ton, even if you aren't playing the game.

Desiato

Tandor wrote: »

Desiato wrote: »

Also, it seems a lot of what has been regarded as a correct sitting position isn't exactly true. Our body will naturally want to change our position to give certain muscles a break. By trying to force a "healthy" seating position all the time, we can actually strain our muscles. This was confirmed in a study I saw referenced recently, but I can't cite anything atm.

My former doctor gave me great advice years ago, after I reported pain in my arm which he diagnosed as muscular pain emanating from my neck. He advised me to alter the height of the monitor very slightly, and to do so again from time to time. It's of no particular relevance to the OP but it resolved my problem very well and I mention it here in case it helps anyone else.

I usually adjust the height of my display multiple times through a play session to match my posture. When I shop for a new display, the quality of the stand is a key consideration.

lDaede

So sorry to hear you are having this issue, sadly a familiar one to me as one of my friends did end up eventually having to give up gaming due to a tendon problem with their index finger.

They tried a bunch of stuff most of which didn't work though worth mentioning is they had some success using an adjustable incline desk in combination with a reclining chair. This completely changed their gaming posture so that their mouse arm extended out and away from their side at the shoulder and let their forearm rest out and away from their upper arm at the elbow. According to them this more natural not quite straight but significantly less bent and far more relaxed arm position made a huge difference to the strain.

Unfortunately their condition was degenerative and it eventually got to the point where playing just became more frustration than fun for them due to their increasing limitation. They did try switching to a heavy attack build which extended the amount of time they could play for by a little but the pain would always catch up.

As things got worse I did end up writing a very simple autohotkey script for them (I did not know that using it was a TOS violation at the time); It just sent a left mouse click signal a fraction of a second before each of their skill keys so they only had to click the mouse for very occasional heavy attacks. That was revolutionary for them, they were immediately able to game at the same competence they had prior to the degeneration with drastically reduced pain. It broke my heart when I found out and had to explain they couldn't keep on using it as it was against the TOS.

I begged them to contact ZOS in the hopes of getting the rules changed to accommodate those with disabilities but ultimately the whole roller coaster of losing their capabilities to then get a real and functional work around to then find out they could be banned if they kept on playing that way ended up being a straw that broke the camels back situation and they quit the game.

I hope you can find a way to stick around.