Wrist tendonitis (or Tenosynovitis) literally means inflammation of tendon at wrist joint. When functioning under normal circumstances, the tendon glides easily and smoothly when muscle contracts. However, when tendon is overuse, it needs to be accustomed to the new demand and if not able to make, it will inflame. Age could also be another reason which may be due to the blood vessel that supply nutrient to the tendon is being deprived.

A significant percentage of wrist tendonitis is due to anatomical reason, whereby the tendon does not have a smooth path to glide. This is common among people whose work is desk bound and heavily dependence on PC. Over time, the wrist becomes stiff and painful to move. It may be swollen as well without proper care.

Hey buddy...if you are reading this article, I may have less to worry. Even if you do not fall under bench work category, then consider reading for your loved ones. I hope it will be entertaining of looking at it from another perspective!

Why am I saying so? If you observe the equation below, you will agree no less with what I am trying to derive.
Working = Typing + Mous-ing + Thinking
t _w = t_type + t_mouse + t_think
t _w = a t_w + b t_w + c t_w ------- Equation 1

where
t_w = duration spent to perform ‘work’ (here, ‘work’ is referring to PC-bound activity)
t_type = duration spent for typing or key board activity
t_mouse = duration spent on ‘mousing’ whereby it includes holding and (or) maneuvering mouse activity
a = ratio for duration spent on typing activity (each ratio depends on the type of job)
b = ratio for duration spent on mousing activity (each ratio depends on the type of job)
c= ratio when brain is performing the thinking activity and your hands are away from keyboard or mouse
a + b + c =1

In a simple algebra:
t_mouse = bt_w ----------- Equation 2
t_mouse = t_w – at_w – ct_w ----------- Equation 3

From Equation 2, if b = high (large ‘work’ activity is using mouse) then t_mouse = high
However, if b is low, t_mouse= low

Lesson 1: Spend less time on ‘mousing’ activity

At the same time, let’s explore Equation 3:
t_mouse = t_w [1-(a+c)] ----------- Equation 4

If t_w = low, t_mouse = low

Lesson 2: Spend less time at ‘work’

Despite the above fact, we still have to clear our ‘work’ (otherwise how could we justify for the year end performance review!). Hence, we need to create the opportunities for lower t_w. How? Let me introduce an activity called ‘drink-ing’ which is a precursor for other activities.

This is a very simple and manageable methodology to reduce ‘work’ and creating healthier ergonomics. Firstly, prepare an approximately 1.5 L water container. Before starting ‘work’, fill it with drinking water about 90-95% full. Then, place next to your PC. In order to make it works, theory says, you have to consume every 100 ml every half an hour. This will help Equation 1 by introducing a new activity called ‘drinking’. As time flies, the bladder will ring a nature call every 1.5 hr (this is only an estimate as it is highly dependence on the individual metabolic rate and also the water consumption rate). Believe it or not, if you are consuming the water in a huge volume at 200 ml/min, the nature call may ring twice in every hour. Comparing if water is consumed at 20 ml/min perhaps, the nature ring is once in every two hours. Well, it seems there is a correlation between the volumes of water consumed versus the frequency of loo visit (still pending the study on the curves!). While walking to loo, you may also concurrently perform hand-stretching activity.

Referencing to new methodology, our new equation will be as below:
t_w = t_type + t_mouse + t _think + t _drink + t _clear
t_w = at_w + bt_w + c t_w + dt_k + et_r -------- Equation 5
and t_mouse = t_w [1-(a+c)] – dt_k – et_r -------- Equation 6

where
d = ‘drinking’ frequency
e = ‘clearing’ frequency
t_k= duration spent for ‘drinking’ activity
t_r = duration spent for bladder clearance activity

If we were to place Equation 4 and Equation 6 side by side, it will be:
t _mouse = t_w [1-(a+c)] – d t_k – e t_r < < t_w [1-(a+c)]

Lesson 3: Introduce new activities e.g. drinking water + clearing bladder + (walking)x(stretching) at ‘work’

If it happens that the algebras confuse you, please focus on the Lessons learnt. They shall be well kept under ‘frequently use’ folder in B: drive (B =brain compartment).

Let us take great care of our body part as they will do much more greater job for us.
Prevention >>>> (infinite times) better than cure. Stay healthy!

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