this post was submitted on 27 Sep 2023
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ErgoMechKeyboards

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Ergonomic, split and other weird keyboards

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This is just more of me expressing some thoughts that some people might have feedback on.

I used a Kinesis Advantage for over a decade and it made me feel at one with the computer until one day I started to get right hand pain.

I gave it a break for a few years, then got a new Advantage 360 and a Glove80 to see what would work for me. Neither do, both make my right hand feel more cramped than it should. But I'm pretty happy on something like a Sofle or a Kyria, or even a basic TKL - tho still get pain after a time.

I do have cubital tunnel like symptoms but was recently tested and don't have any real nerve damage that can be fixed, so based on the advice of my neural muscular doctor and physiotherapist, I'm still in the prevention stage.

Anyone experience anything similar?

Thanks!!

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[–] g0g0gadget@artemis.camp 3 points 1 year ago

For me it’s all about major tenting—like nearly 90 degrees—to keep my wrists in a neutral “handshake” position. Having my wrists rotated to be use a keyboard that’s facing straight up gives me carpal tunnel. You could try tenting your Sofle or Kyria to see if that helps.

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have the Kinesis Advantage2 keyboard and have used it for about 7 years now. I can't imagine ever switching to anything else. Why are you switching from something that works for you? Just like the Kinesis, any change to keyboard layout is going to take some time to get used to. It took about 3 weeks before I felt at home with the Kinesis.

[–] ish@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I’m switching cause it now causes me great discomfort.

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Oh sorry, I misunderstood. Keywell keyboards fixed my wrist pain, so idk about it causing you pain. Ask an orthopedic doctor if saline injections could help alleviate your pain. They help me and it only needs to be done every 6-12 months.

[–] Gumshoe@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

right hand pain.

Any sense for what is different between your hands? You sure this isn't a mouse issue?

What kind of motions cause the pain?

There are 3 basic types of wrist motions rotating along each axis. Potentially you're either doing a lot of motion in one of these categories or your normal resting position isn't neutral in one of these categories. Maybe try to figure out which of these motions/positions is causing you issues and come up with ways to try to cut back on that motion or position the keyboard more neutrally in that axis.

Also, you should look into doing exercises to help with your issue.

[–] luckybipedal@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Disclaimer: I haven't used a keywell keyboard.

Does the keywell cause the use of different muscles and finger joints to press keys? On a flat keyboard, key strokes seem to move the whole finger from the knuckle. If a keywell results in a curling or stretching motion of the fingers to actuate the keys, that would use different muscles and move different joints.

Another thing would be whether you're using wrist rests differently.