What could be done to manage arm that burn while typing?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a writer, so I use my computer a lot. Pretty sure I have a repetitive stress injury. My father has Carpal tunnel, so it would not be a surprise at all if I have something similar. The pain is triggered when I type, and more so when I use my trackball. More than anything, my arm burns, and the skin is hot, red, and rashy. I can feel the same thing in my left arm, but it is milder and takes more strain to hurt. I know I should back off and rest, but I feel like I cannot do that without giving up on writing. I wrap it and ice it. I take a couple of Aspirin every day to deal with inflammation, nothing seems to be helping. If I go to a doctor, I am afraid they will just tell me to do what I am already doing. Is there any point in seeing a doctor, or is there something more I should be doing at home? I am willing to see a doctor, but I am quite short on money, and if I am just going to be advised to ice it and rest, I would rather save my money.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Sorry to see that you have persistent symptoms. It is not clear from your description that you have any hand symptoms with crampy pain on typing with the index thumb and middle fingers most affected as that would fit into a carpal tunnel-like picture. If it is your arms that are bothering you with burning pain, then it seems more like a neck problem with cervical spondylosis most likely a possibility especially if you have morning neck stiffness or pain and stiffness after a period of rest. The treatment of which is going to be strengthening your neck along with neck exercises, posture correction, using the laptop or desktop for shorter durations, analgesia, Pregabalin tablets 75 mg twice a day, and moist heat to the neck rather than the arms.

You also can take Diclofenac tablets 75 mg two times a day after meals if you have no asthma, hypertension, or no known allergy to this tablet.

I hope this helps.