Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

2,179 Members
16,355 Posts
0 Online
Muscles & Bones
/ Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Computer Keyboards

nopainplease
nopainplease
I looked and never found anything on the subject.
I am wanting to buy a keyboard and they are all so different, so I'm asking you guys with RA what kind do you use with painful hands?
coaltrain
coaltrain
I've had an ergonomic keyboard for years for no other reason that I like them. Now with the RA I am even more happy with mine - just can't stand a regular keyboard.

This is the only one left that is being made I think -

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Natural-Ergonomic-Keyboard-4000/dp/B000A6PPOK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418562087&sr=8-1&keywords=microsoft+keyboard
trishcorsi
trishcorsi
I had Dragon Speak on my old computer, this new laptop doesn't have a thingy to read the disc so I will have to but another one, which irritates me. Up until this laptop I have always opted for a wireless keyboard & mouse, its less inhibiting. Hope you are well. Trish
poodlemom
poodlemom
I use the Microsoft ergonomic split keyboard. Did not take me long at all to get use to it, and would not go back. I also use a roller ball mouse so that I can switch hands if needed. Also has helped significantly. At work I had the health and safety specialist do an ergonomic assessment for me and that really helped. She suggested the keyboard, the mouse and a new chair. All easy accommodations and they really helped.
nancyfoco
nancyfoco
Years ago (15+ yrs.) I had tried a wide variety or ergonomic keyboards. I found that what works best for me is a smaller keyboard. There is far less stretching of the hands.

I used the TypeMatrix keyboard (http://typematrix.com/) for years. Now that I use a Mac I use the Apple wireless keyboard which is also small. I remember that my hands improved greatly when I had used the TypeMatrix keyboard for a week or two.