Hi All,
I am finding it hard to continue using a regular keyboard as I am a constant computer user for different tasks including office work and typing reports and coding. I am considering buying an ergonomic keyboard. I'm thinking about the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 by Microsoft. microsoft.com/hardware/en-g...
I'm wondering if these things really work and if anyone has any experience of using ergonomic keyboards. Is this a good option?
Thanks,
Jerin
I have this keyboard at work and it's made a massive difference I get much less pain and now can't use normal ones at all . It's so much more natural once you get used to it and it didn't take long .. get ab ergonomic mouse too fir same reason . Keeps hand sideways and no pain aT all.
I couldn't recommend it enough xx
Sorry for mistypes I'm on my phone not the wonderful keyboard don't worry xx
I hadn't thought about the ergonomic mouse but thanks ill look into it.
I have an ergonomic mouse with a roller ball - it takes a bit of getting used to but it is soooo worth it - massively takes the strain off my hands.
I have an ergonomic mouse with a rollerball too... They're very odd to start with, but it significantly reduces the pain in my arm/wrist/hand.
Hi, I have used a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard in various forms for over 15 years and recommend them. I work full time for a software department and type up reports and built website etc with no issues on these keyboards. All the short cut keys work fine and its just plug and play. I currently use the one above.
If u are an employee before you purchase it don't forget the fact that your employer should provide "reasonably adjustments " which this is. Various groups such as" access to work " can advise and even pay for these adjustments. Of your employer is very large then they can provide evidence for a business case for you to submit.
Kyla
I'll definitely talk to my employer about buying the keyboard for me.
Ive been told that the wrist should be floating when typing, do the wrist pads serve any purpose in this case?
Not sure about floating wrists (which I would have thought would cause more strain - it definitely contributes to repetitive strain injuries to have your wrists poised above the keyboard), but the angle of your elbow is really critical - it needs to be just very slightly more than 90 degrees (i.e. so your forearm is either parallel with the desk or very very slightly pointing downwards)
Also recommend a Microsoft penguin mouse which is sideways rather than flat.
I have this at work too and it does help a lot. Took a bit of time to get used to but the benefits are worth it
I've also heard about the Dovrak layout, anyone had any experience with it?
I've known a couple of people who have used it. It is like learning to type all over again so if you've been typing for decades like I have, it could be extremely difficult to learn.
I'm a home based worker and my company arranged for my needs to be assessed at home. A Physio came to see me and I asked about the ergonomic keyboards but he recommended that I have a smaller keyboard rather than a larger ergonomic one. He said that keeping my wrists closer together would be better and this has worked well for me.
I also have a penguin mouse and they are a bit weird to get used to but it keeps your wrist in line and is less painful to use. They also gave me a rocking foot rest so that I can keep my ankles gently moving through the day to reduce stiffness and a radio headset so that I can get up and walk around when I'm on back to back calls. Does your company offer any accessibility type assessments or guidance and will they buy the keyboard for you? It might be worth seeing if anyone stocks the ergonomic and small keyboards near to you so you can try them first and ask for their advice.
Small changes can really make a big difference to the strain we put on our joints through the day and the amount of stiffness and pain we feel as a result. I hope you find a keyboard that works for you.
I have found research that says keeping the hands closer together is worse for your wrist as you are having to bend it at the wrist more.
Hi,
I have an ergonomic keyboard at work too and it helps enormously. I have this one transparent-uk.com/fujitsu-... (hope that works) and like that I have been able to vary the angles to suit me.
I also have a wireless tracker mouse which helps a lot too.
My employers have been brilliant with me - I have a flexible working arrangement and work from home from about 2:30 each day. I find getting up and moving around to go home refreshes me physically and mentally and I can avoid sitting in the usual home time traffic jams.
I feel really lucky, but at the same time they get the best from me too 
Good luck in finding a keyboard that is right for you.
I also work from home (it's our own IT business) and I have an Evoluent mouse, similar in many ways to the penguin but I find the shape easier to use. It's also slightly more expensive but I find it worth the extra.
I also have a forearm rest that fixes onto and sticks out from the edge of the desk. This supports and anatomically straightens my arm.
The final thing I got for myself is a bean-bag wrist rest, which I find much more comfortable than the gel ones. It sits between the arm-rest and the mouse very neatly. I found that pressure on my wrist was causing quite bad nerve pain after a short while, this little bag solved that almost completely.
Although I do some typing, most of my work uses the mouse, so I have a straight keyboard. But I did invest in a backlit one, which I find helps me to find the correct keys when my eyes are strained.
I have used ergonomic ones though, and found them quite good one you get used to the difference in positioning.
HTH
Mo
The mouse looks really good, do you have experience using the penguin mouse? It would be good if someone can recommend one over the other.
I used the penguin mouse briefly, I can't comment about extended usage but I preferred the wrist position and the "feel" of the Evoluent mouse straight away. My RD problem is mainly my wrists, hands and feet also affected but wrists are most painful.
Thanks Mo you have given me a lot of ideas to think about
Like Mo
I would recommend the evolent mouse I have used one for years they are a must if you have problems with hands, I didn't get on with keyboard but use wrist rest for mouse and keyboard.
keyboard Riser is also worth considering.
Jan
I don't have any of the ergonomic kit mentioned above, but might well look into it. Access to Work did provide me with a super duper ergonomic chair.
I use my iPad a lot. On days when my hands are bad, I find the flat on-screen keyboard so much easier than the independent one and wireless mouse on my iMac. Jora
My keyboard is GoldTouch. If you have arthritis it is brilliant as my hands are changing positions and so I open up the two halves and it is easier to type. Just a couple of keys on the left side normally on the right. So what...easy to get used to.
also worth saying that my workplace purchased dragon voice recognition software for me to help me through the really tough days (thanks to access to work, before they disappeared!). It took a bit of effort to train it and get used to it but it is an absolute life saver for me given that I write quite a lot of reports. If you are struggling with typing on a regular basis, I would highly reccomend it
I had one of those but found the key travel and resistance too high. moved to Microsoft Sculpt which was much better. found the Sculpt mouse good too.
I have this exact keyboard and it is awesome. I went from a straight keyboard to this and the difference it made was really good!
The more straight your wrist joint is the better so any type of split keyboard is fab. This one is raised which suits me perfectly as wrist pain is helped by this. I think I shopped around and got it for £27 which was quite good at the time.
I learned the shortcuts with keys like ctrl n to open new documents in word rather than having to use a mouse as much. I do also have an ergonomic mouse which is Logitech m325, I think there are better out there but this one does me really well.
My rheumy team have an OT who you can refer to. She gave me some putty and hand exercises which strengthen hands and this helped with working on a computer for sure.
A community OT also checked my work space. I think posturite website has help sheets on how to deisign your work space.
oooh those pen adopters are good if yo have pain in your pinch (thumb joints). I got some from Amazon called crossover pencil grips and the pencil grips pack of three. So cheap but I keep one on a pen in my handbag all the time so I don't get caught out in banks etc with some fiddly small pen ✒️✒️✏️📝
This isn't related but if anyone has trouble eating with regular knives and forks I got some caring cutlery. Best £15 I've ever spent, dinner in comfort yessssss!
I have this keyboard as well & I LOVE IT!!! Hard to get use to at first but pain & stiffness has improved so much over the last 3 months it is worth getting use to.
Have you contacted Access to Work? This is the kind of thing that they can help you get. Also, if you want to try out different keyboards and mice, I found that my local college student support unit had a number of different ones I could try that helped me make a decision what would work best. I was also offered voice recognition software by Access to Work to cut down my typing. Unfortunately my accent doesn't really work with standard voice recognition software so I gave up on that. I did get a small digital recorder to use instead of taking notes at meetings though, which has proved very useful.
As far as keyboards go, I never got an adapted one - I just made sure my seating was perfect ergonomically (so my arms were in the best position possible) and got a gel wrist rest - for both the keyboard and on a mouse pad (and got a vertical cordless mouse).
Hi I use Dragon software,, it is good when you get used to it and definitely helps the hands. I also contacted Access to work who will assess you at work and discuss keyboards. Hope this helps
Not heard about the floating wrists before. Checked with my DSE assessor and they say they should be in a natural postition (I laughed at the thought of RA hands having a natural position!) The pads on the front of this keyboard are matt and soft to touch and don't cause me any issues. If your employer is large maybe they have access to a couple types of keyboards you could try out (if someone else has one, maybe when they are on leave)? Just a thought.
Do you use mobility aids e.g. walking sticks?
Odd keyboard behaviour
Advice on desk chairs for work please 
Confused and don't know what to do.
