Which trackball is better to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome?

Question

I am starting to see signs of carpal tunnel syndrome on my right hand whenever I use a regular computer mouse.

After some research, the trackball seems most appropriate to alleviate the wrist pains. The problem is that there are 2 main versions:

The Marble:

The Wheel:

Which is better for avoiding wrist pains? The "Marble" versions seems like it still uses some wrist action to move the index and middle fingers over the trackball whereas by the "Wheel" the wrist remains completely stationary and only the thumb moves around.

Answer 1

I've used the top trackball for years with no problem. I had tendon problems using mice, and this trackball fixed it.

I think a finger-operated ball is healthier than thumb, but just an opinion.

An advantage of this trackball is it's symmetrical and you can switch between left and right hands to rest them.

That said, I'm looking for a trackball with a heavier ball and scroll wheel. I'm thinking about this one.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I've used the lower one in the wireless version for a couple of years as my main mouse / pointer device. I haven't got any experience with the upper one.

IMHO, the lower one is great! Especially because you can efficiently use it as a mouse with your right main (for me: right) hand when your hand is

• On your shoulder after a hard days / 15 minutes of work
• Many places on your desk, where a mouse just wouldn't be practical
• Anywhere else; you could use it (both) as a wireless PowwerPoint/Keynote/LaTeX+beamer device

But anyways, the lower of the above is not better than a mouse (and I assume this goes for both). I bought one because of shoulder/upper arm strain, and after a couple of months they were back. Go for different working positions, ie combine it with a trackpad and/or mouse and learns as many keyboard shortcuts as psossible. In combination with other options it's probably a good choice, but it's not (none of them are) a holy grail.

Cheers!

Answer 3

While I don't have any wrist problems, I use the 'wheel' version and I find it very comfortable. No movement required other than thumb movement.

As a side benefit, it's quite amusing when a colleague sits at my desk and try to use the trackball, pushing it round the desk like a mouse :-)

Answer 4

I switched to the lower mouse ("the wheel") years ago and absolutely love it. You still have to move and stretch and be nice to your body, but ball mice do help with symptoms.