How to choose
the right mouse
It’s important to get the right mouse for your work
Using an unsuitable mouse set up may lead to :
Muscle discomfort or pain
Pressure or strain to joints, ligaments or nerves
Acute or chronic arm, wrist or hand injuries
Treatment and rehabilitation costs
Reduced productivity
Get the right mouse to fit you and the way you work
1
Consider which mouse style might provide the greatest comfort
Ambidextrous
Vertical
Trackball
Roller bar
Touchpad
Do any movements cause discomfort when mousing?
Then these designs may be worth trying
Fingers / hand
Wrist
Forearm
Shoulder
Grasping or holding
Clicking or scrolling
Wrist movement
Shoulder reaching
Vertical
Trackball
Roller bar
Touchpad
2
Consider some design pros and cons for your situation
Vertical
Maintains forearm in a neutral, less strained posture
Trackball
Cursor moved with hand movements only – fingers or thumb control designs
May reduce strain to wrist and muscles used to click and scroll
Sizes available may encourage a more relaxed grip
Limited left handed
or ambidextrous
options
Non traditional design requires adjustment
May reduce repetitive outward shoulder movements
May encourage more relaxed grip or no grip
May be fatiguing to fingers / thumb and forearm muscles
Non traditional design requires adjustment
Roller bar
Cursor moved with hand & wrist movements – centrally aligned position
Touchpad
Cursor moved with hand movements only – centrally aligned position
No outward
shoulder reaching
required
Alternative click and scroll control design with no grasp required
May be slower
and affect
productivity
Non traditional design requires adjustment
May be positioned
in front or to side of keyboard
No grasp required
May be fatiguing to fingers / thumb and forearm muscles
May be slower and affect productivity
3
Other solutions can also increase comfort when mousing
No number pad
Shortens the keyboard width and reduces shoulder overreach to the mouse which may reduce discomfort. Detachable number pads are available.
Click software
Software that clicks for you. Reducing repetitive click force may reduce forearm, wrist or hand strain and discomfort.
Mouse settings
Increase scroll speed to reduce repetitive finger movements. Increase cursor speed to reduce repetitive overreaching.
Alternate hands
Switch mouse use between both hands to reduce repetitive movements and forces and risk of musculoskeletal strain
Keyboard shortcuts
Keystroke commands can be used to perform some mouse functions, reducing mouse use. Search online for suggested options or program your own.
Micro breaks
Take frequent short breaks between keying and mousing every 5-10 minutes to relax muscles and improve frequent recovery.
Invest in the right equipment to maintain productivity and promote long term comfort and health
