Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs) and Computer Work Station Problems

It is often useful in performing a workstation analysis to start with the symptoms experienced by the operator. Symptoms can give clues about the type of workstation problems to look for. However, symptoms are often caused by a combination of workstation problems, and multiple symptoms are common. Therefore, complete workstation assessments are useful. It is also useful to get a clinical evaluation from an expert in upper extremity disorders who emphasizes conservative (non-surgical) treatment (such as at the ErgoCenter clinic) The combination of early clinical intervention and ergonomic intervention has been shown to be very effective at preventing chronic conditions.

To use these factsheets, find the symptoms that are present, find the possible cause(s), and then look up the solutions for that cause in the next factsheet.

Finger pain/numbness in the thumb & first 2 fingers

Can be from multiple sources (wrist to neck) caused by compression of the median nerve: see wrist, elbow, and shoulder.

Finger pain/numbness in the 4th and 5th fingers

This can also be from multiple sources that affect the ulnar nerve. Elbows on hard arm rests or desk surface.

Wrist pain in dominant hand only

• Mouse position not close enough (mouse won't fit)
• Wrist bent in mouse use
• Wrist resting on sharp/hard edges
• Left handed mouse in right hand, or vice versa
• Keeping fingers tensed on mouse/ forceful hand grip
• Fatigue (Not enough micro breaks)
• Non-typing tasks requiring repeated/forceful grip, especially pinch grip
• Poor typing technique

Wrist pain in both hands

• Wrists not neutral (bent up, down, left or right)
• Fatigue (Not enough micro breaks)
• Wrists resting on sharp/hard edges
• Palms planted on desk or wrist rest while typing
• Poor typing technique

Elbow pain

• Wrist or fingers pulled back
• Non-typing tasks requiring repetitive/forceful grip (pulling files, etc.)

Shoulder/Upper Back pain

• Mouse too far/high (if pain is on mousing side)
• No elbow supports
• Elbow supports too far apart or at wrong height
• Desk or keyboard tray too high
• Inadequate chair
• Leaning forward towards monitor
• Cradling phone between ear and shoulder
• Stress
• Poor typing technique

Neck pain

• Cradling phone between ear and shoulder
• Monitor wrong height
• Wearing bifocals (tipping head back to see monitor)
• Leaning head forward (fatigue or monitor too hard to see)
• Monitor to left or right of keyboard (twisted neck posture)
• Typing from copy that is at angle to monitor (such as no copyholder)
• Stress
• Poor typing technique

Lower Back pain

• Non-adjustable lumbar support
• No lumbar support
• Chair too high (dangling feet pull back away from lumbar support)
• Chair seat too long (seat front pressing behind knees pulls back away from lumbar support)
• Leaning forward in chair, away from lumbar support

Leg falling asleep/ discomfort

• Chair too high and no footrest to elevate legs
• Pan depth of chair too long (presses into back of knee)
• Sharp front edge of chair (inadequate padding)
• Chair seat tips back too easily (front presses into back of legs)
• Sitting with crossed legs
• Wallet in back pocket

Eye strain/ headaches

• Improper eye glasses
• Flicker or poor monitor
• Font size or window size too small
• Glare
• Eyes too close or too far from monitor
• Fatigue (Not enough micro breaks)
• Environmental conditions (dryness, dust, etc.)
• Stress

This factsheet was developed by Timothy F. Morse, PhD and Nicholas Warren, MS, MAT, ScD, of the ErgoCenter at UConn Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030-6210. Additional thoughts are welcome, and can be sent by e-mail to: tmorse@nso.uchc.edu

PDF Document

CTDs and Computer Workstation Problems / Common Problems in Office Ergonomics
(PDF File, 78 KB by Timothy F. Morse, Nicholas Warren, and Charles Dillon: NEW window)

See also:

Common Problems in Office Ergonomics