Re: "Tennis Elbow" in Librarians

[Frank Miele <Frank_Miele@NPS.GOV>]

>        Folks:
>
>        My wife has been a school librarian/media specialist
>        for 19 years and, as a result, has developed what she
>        is convinced is a job related repetitive stress
>        injury--a bad case of "tennis elbow," or
>        epicondylitis, in both arms.  Her affliction is so
>        bad that she has had surgery on both elbows.
>
>        Have any of you encountered similar problems or know
>        of any other libraians who have?  How do you--or
>        they--deal with the problem?  Has anyone seen any
>        literature/research correlating epicondylitis, or
>        "tennis slbow," with librarianship?
>
>       Frank,
        I was interested in your note, because just last week I found out
that I have "tennis elbow", and believe me it isn't from playing tennis! My
doctor suggested it was from prolonged computer use with inappropriate
comfort features. He suggested using a wrist pad on the mouse pad, making
sure the keyboard is at an appropriate height, etc.  So far some asprin
keeps mine under control most of the time. He also suggested an arm
brace--I tried it and it does help, but it is irrating so I don't wear it
very often. I have been a librarian for 17 years, but I have only been
using computers for 6 or 7. I'm convinced that is the problem, not lifting
books or any other task. I have never seen any literature or research on
this being a bi-product of being a librarian.

Linda

Linda Hill       lhill@fgi.net
Librarian Meridian High School  728 S. Wall Box 380 Macon, IL 62544
Home address: R.R. #4 Box 260 Decatur, IL 62521