Fingerspelling- hand fatigue??

society's_child · 06-02-2008, 09:58 AM

I've been learning asl for almost 2 years now.. at times i experience some pain in the fingers of my right hand from fingerspelling..not old enough for joint pain, so that's a negative for arthiritis. My fingerspelling isn't all that good anyway so i try to avoid it unless it's required, lol. What's the problem here? Anyone else experience the same?

Reba · 06-02-2008, 05:13 PM

It's never too young to get arthritis. My daughter has had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since she was about 11 years old.

Even if you don't fingerspell often, that in conjunction with texting, keyboarding, or other "fingering" activities might be putting a total time of use above that which is comfortable for you.

***VamPyroX*** · 06-02-2008, 06:20 PM

Yeah.

Also, fingerspelling puts more strain on your hands/fingers than normal signing.

Anij · 06-02-2008, 07:13 PM

One other consideration is HOW you fingerspell...
My mom is very "tight", and stiff ... not at all fluid in how she makes her letters - as a result she gets hand fatigue very easily and quickly.

any chance you could make us a video ?

deafbajagal · 06-02-2008, 07:58 PM

If the pain stems from the wrists, then it could be carpal tunnel syndrome.

jenni-m · 06-02-2008, 08:38 PM

Sorry if I am about to reiterate some things already said.

But really, it depends on how much you fingerspell, how you do it, what other activities you do, and if you have any other existing conditions.

You also say you avoid it, this may be a factor in itself.

However, some fatigue is normal. Especially if you are not used to the activity. Fatigue is not necessarily a negative symptom... it depends on why you are getting it and how severe it is, and if it is actually causing pain.

I often feel fatigue and stiffness in my fingers and forearms (from typing, fingerspelling, etc). Some of this is normal (muscles tire with use).

Though RSI (e.g. carpal tunnel) is usually triggered by excessive use without rest or change, coupled with improper techniques which put a strain on muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Tendons and or ligaments can rub against each other, or be strained, they become inflamed and raw which makes them more prone to this rubbing irritation, and it continues on in a vicious cycle. Joints usually wont wear much from normal use, they are designed to slide pretty much forever, unless there is some kind of health problem, impacts or improper movement causing excessive wear.

So it could be normal stress, or it could be a problem. If you really have a concern, I recommend talking to a doctor and doing some research. It could be a number of things, including 'normal'.

society's_child · 06-03-2008, 09:29 AM

Thanks for the responses, everyone. Although i do type often, the pain isn't in my wrists and my fingers don't really bother me at all even after typing for a while. I have a wrist cushion for work so that alleviates the stress from constant typing. Perhaps it's just the method of my fingerspelling.. i like to think that it's pretty fluid, almost too much so to the point that the letters kinda meld into one another, lol. I could stand to be more clear.

I'm not experiencing alot of discomfort.. it's just more of an annoyance at times. I'm not going to worry about it too much. Thanks, you guys.

06-02-2008, 09:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
society's_child Angel with a dirty face Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 156	Fingerspelling- hand fatigue?? I've been learning asl for almost 2 years now.. at times i experience some pain in the fingers of my right hand from fingerspelling..not old enough for joint pain, so that's a negative for arthiritis. My fingerspelling isn't all that good anyway so i try to avoid it unless it's required, lol. What's the problem here? Anyone else experience the same?

06-02-2008, 06:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hell Posts: 26,612	Yeah. Also, fingerspelling puts more strain on your hands/fingers than normal signing. __________________ Check out my city... CLICK HERE! (If you already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

06-02-2008, 07:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
deafbajagal Jasmine's Tiger "Lilly" Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,820	If the pain stems from the wrists, then it could be carpal tunnel syndrome. __________________ "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." ~Quote by William Arthur Ward

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06-02-2008, 05:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
Reba Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 16,109	It's never too young to get arthritis. My daughter has had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since she was about 11 years old. Even if you don't fingerspell often, that in conjunction with texting, keyboarding, or other "fingering" activities might be putting a total time of use above that which is comfortable for you.

06-02-2008, 07:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Anij Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 338	One other consideration is HOW you fingerspell... My mom is very "tight", and stiff ... not at all fluid in how she makes her letters - as a result she gets hand fatigue very easily and quickly. any chance you could make us a video ?

06-02-2008, 08:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
jenni-m Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 598	Sorry if I am about to reiterate some things already said. But really, it depends on how much you fingerspell, how you do it, what other activities you do, and if you have any other existing conditions. You also say you avoid it, this may be a factor in itself. However, some fatigue is normal. Especially if you are not used to the activity. Fatigue is not necessarily a negative symptom... it depends on why you are getting it and how severe it is, and if it is actually causing pain. I often feel fatigue and stiffness in my fingers and forearms (from typing, fingerspelling, etc). Some of this is normal (muscles tire with use). Though RSI (e.g. carpal tunnel) is usually triggered by excessive use without rest or change, coupled with improper techniques which put a strain on muscles, ligaments and tendons. Tendons and or ligaments can rub against each other, or be strained, they become inflamed and raw which makes them more prone to this rubbing irritation, and it continues on in a vicious cycle. Joints usually wont wear much from normal use, they are designed to slide pretty much forever, unless there is some kind of health problem, impacts or improper movement causing excessive wear. So it could be normal stress, or it could be a problem. If you really have a concern, I recommend talking to a doctor and doing some research. It could be a number of things, including 'normal'.

06-03-2008, 09:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
society's_child Angel with a dirty face Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 156	Thanks for the responses, everyone. Although i do type often, the pain isn't in my wrists and my fingers don't really bother me at all even after typing for a while. I have a wrist cushion for work so that alleviates the stress from constant typing. Perhaps it's just the method of my fingerspelling.. i like to think that it's pretty fluid, almost too much so to the point that the letters kinda meld into one another, lol. I could stand to be more clear. I'm not experiencing alot of discomfort.. it's just more of an annoyance at times. I'm not going to worry about it too much. Thanks, you guys.