đź’Ş Trackball Recovery Update: Week 2 Progress and New Setup Tweaks
It’s been a couple weeks since I switched to a finger-operated trackball to help with chronic wrist pain—and overall, I’m still optimistic. The first week brought significant relief: less end-of-day soreness, fewer flare-ups, and better posture.
But then came a setback. After carrying some heavy bags, I aggravated the pinky side of my wrist—likely some ulnar nerve irritation. The pain was new (opposite side from my usual symptoms) and frustrating, but it reminded me this is still very much a recovery phase, not a magic fix.
🛠️ Here’s what I’ve added to support recovery:
- Monitor arm – gets my screen to eye level, which reduces neck/shoulder tension and supports better arm alignment.
- Dual forearm rests – helps offload wrist pressure while working, so I’m not compressing nerves at the base of my palm.
- Wrist compression glove – surprisingly helpful for keeping inflammation down and reminding me to move more consciously.
✍️ What I’ve Learned
- The trackball still feels like the right move, but it requires some adaptation—especially for muscles and nerves that weren’t used to being engaged.
- Ergonomic gear helps, but so does rest, awareness, and not overloading healing tissue (e.g., carrying 40 lbs of groceries in one hand).
- This is a process. Progress isn’t linear, but even after a setback, I’m seeing signs of real improvement.
If you’re dealing with wrist pain and haven’t tried a trackball—or upgraded your desk setup—it might be worth a shot. Just know that even the right solution takes time to settle in.