Sign language hurts?

Your Mom

Your Mom

New Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2006
Messages
519
Reaction score
0
My wrist has started hurting almost every day, and the only thing I can really link it to is my signing every day. It gets much worse on days that i sign more. Does anyone have any advice on any sort of over the counter medications for this? Or am I the only one that experiences this? I have tried heating pads, Tylenol and tigers balm.
 
It could be repetative motion injury (sometimes also know as carpal tunnel syndrome). It's a common job related problem for interpreters.

I don't know of any OTC medicine that will heal it. The Tylenol and similar products might take the "edge" off the pain but it won't really heal the problem. If it is from signing, the usual prescription is to cut back on signing, switch hands, modifying signing style, or sometimes even surgery. I know that's not the answer you want to hear. :(

Also, you might need to cut back on other repetative motions that aggravate the pain, such as keyboarding.

Sorry.
 
Tylenol doesn't have any anti-inflammatory effect, it's just a painkiller. Ibuprofen is your best bet for inflammation but too much can be rough on your stomach. If it's not inflammation, heat is fine, but if it is, then ice instead.

Otherwise, what Reba says is true, unfortunately. You may want to see a sports medicine specialist to get a definitive diagnosis since if it is carpal tunnel syndrome, those somewhat drastic measures might be called for.

I know some people who interpret wearing a hand brace but I've heard deaf clients mention that it makes them feel guilty. Hmm.
 
Interpretrator said:
...I know some people who interpret wearing a hand brace but I've heard deaf clients mention that it makes them feel guilty. Hmm.
Click to expand...
I remember during ITP class our instructor said that if terps use a brace they should only wear it when not interpreting. He said wearing a brace while interpreting was a no-no. It seemed like a harsh rule but he said that's the way it must be.
 
Well I had been thinking it was carpel tunnel for quiet sometime now because prior to my picking up sign language I did work web designing and spent most of my hours on the computer either typing or repetitively moving the mouse.

So my initial reaction was to assume it was carpel tunnel but i was unsure. It is only my primary signing hand that has really started acting up. And I recently got hired for a houseparent position at the deaf school here so my signing will only increase.

I was not expecting someone to be able to tell me some magical miracle that would cure it. But I do appreciate your suggestions about the ibuprofen. I knew that the last resort for carpel tunnel was surgery to release the tight nerves.

I appreciate the help though. I suppose now I will have to be deciding if a wrist brace will provide much relief. The tigers balm has been my main source of relief.
 
my mother-in-law decorate cakes and sew for a living, and ended up with carpel tunnel because of that. She had a surgery on it and felt better since.
 
Hey, I got friends and associations in "terp" world. Some of them unforunately got CTS, and is not funny thing. I have seen some having braces on their wrist, and even worse reduce the working hours.

Suggest to see doctor who knows about CTS, I am sure there is plenty of terps got info on who is doctors that is good @ it!

Believe it or not, some deafies do get CTS. I don't know about myself, I type alot and hope my wrist don't mess up.
 
I have noticed that myself since learning ASL. I have a ganglion cyst which is on the top of the wrist. It affects the movement of the fingers and sends pain through the entire arm to the shoulder. Several years ago i had surgery on it because it got very big and extremely painful, (i couldn't bend my fingures). Mine though was primarily caused from typing and playing 2 musical instruments. It returned about a year ago and has progressivly gotten worse. This type of cyst has only a 30% chance of never coming back after surgery. I notice when practicing certain signs it hurt pretty badly. Something that has really helped me since i work in an office is i got a DR's note for an ergonomical key board. It is split in the middle tilted in the middle an slants out in the shape of a V. this causes the wrists to be in a more natural possition and REALLY relieves the stress on the problem wrist. My pain now is almost nonexistant. If you type a lot for long periods as i do this is something you should really invest in, if not get your job to get you one. It has been a very big help for me. It takes some getting used to but is well worth it!! I hope your pain goes away soon!!
 
I had CTS surgery 6 times.. due to typing...signing.... i am deaf...CTS is very common in terps and deafies...
 
SxyPorkie said:
I had CTS surgery 6 times.. due to typing...signing.... i am deaf...CTS is very common in terps and deafies...
Click to expand...

Ouch that must really hurt. I remember one terp who had that bad and I really wish there was a way to keep this from happening so often.

I don't have carpal tunnel syndrome myself but I do have cubital tunnel syndrome in my left hand. I really should not lean on my elbow when I type as it makes it worse.
 
Back
Top