Hello fellow GOGlodytes,

So I've been playing some ARPGs (Grim Dawn, Diablo2, TL2, PoE) lately during the pandemic, and I've just noticed some mild right wrist ache after just an hour of point and clicking. I typically spend about 2-4 hours daily playing PC games. I've never had this issue before. Right now I'm icing my wrist just in case it get worse.

I've a typical computer chair and table setup, with the table height about 15 cm (6 inches) above my elbow. My mouse is a cheap ELECOM brand and it's supported on a millimetre-thick mousepad.

Any advice for a suffering PC gamer? Do I have to switch to console gaming and start using a controller? Or downgrade to mobile gaming? Should I stop chucking the chicken/spanking the monkey/flogging the dolphin too? Jokes and funny pics/memes are appreciated to take my mind off the aching

Never felt the need for one personally, but they make wrist cushions precisely for issues like this, don't they?

id ensure your "playing field" is level with your elbow for a start.

get something under your wrist to support it (as mentioned above).

also get some tubigrip bandage for if / when you get a bit sore.

take breaks. even just pausing for a few minutes will help.

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see a doctor if it continues. long term rsi injuries are bad enough, but arthritis is worse by a long way.

Best advice: move your mouse with your fingers and/or arm, not wrist.

edit: we get courses in ergonomics (for desk work) every couple of years at work --- but don't just take my advice, read up on it online.

It might take a while practising this new way of using your mouse... (I guess, I've always controlled my mouse with fingers only)

Can't you adjust the height of your chair? Your elbow should be in line with the table.
edit: investing in a good (refurbished) office chair is a good idea!

Sounds like you developed a repetitive strain injury (RSI):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repetitive_strain_injury

That should not be taken lightly.

Breaks are always a good idea... on top of good ergonomics, not replacing it.

In my experience, RSI is usually temporary. Years ago I wore a wrist brace until I started doing hand and wrist exercises/stretches which alleviated the problem.

You might also consider switching your mouse out for an ergonomic mouse or trackball.

A trackball would help, because you only operate that with your fingers. An ergonomic mouse? Like a vertical one? They rotate your hand, but don't stop you from making wrist movements. It's better, but not as good as finger/arm control.

They can backfire. As teceem says, you should move the mouse with your arm (low sensitivity) or fingers (high sensitivity and fine adjustment at low sensitivity), not with wrist. The problem with cushions is that people tend to plant their wrist in them, which eliminates the entire arm as a source of motion, and leaves you with the wrist and fingers only. If fingers alone aren't sufficient for your needs (medium-low sensitivity), then you end up straining the wrist more than before.. not only that, but now with the wrist lying at a fixed location where the cushion is, you can further exacerbate the problems caused by suboptimal desk & chair setup.

And yes, as teceem said, elbow in line with the table is the correct starting point.

I'm an eccentric non-conformist who refuse to use the office setup for gaming, so I use a comfy chair with head and neck support, and have the mouse on the arm rest (and a book for a hard surface) and the keyboard in my lap.
Never get a wrist ache.

I don't know why those things even exist. Maybe someone saw a profitable market of people looking for a "quick fix"? I can imagine that relearning to use a mouse with fingers/arm after always having been a "wrist mover" isn't easy at all. (or maybe it isn't that bad? It would be interesting if somebody here could share that experience)

I have had these types of things for years, started back in SNES days with strain after playing mario kart. Simply put mix it up. I try to intersperse heavy M&B games with controller ones. When working I mouse with left hand, whilst gaming use right. Have a sit stand desk and alter your posture for a while. And as others have said, right posture, take breaks, excercise, I have a finger strengthener similar to:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/prohands-Gripmaster-Medium-Tension-Exerciser/dp/B0006GC5D8/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?dchild=1&keywords=finger+strengthener+pro+clinical&qid=1593369744&sr=8-2-fkmr2

That helps. Also, age is a factor, arthritis, old breaks in bones, obesity can all impact.

I wouldn’t go with cooling or heating, it may help in the short term, but better to fix it rather than covering it.

You might never get RSI/back pains/etc., but if or when you do... let's talk again, see how much of an "eccentric non-conformist" you are.

Vertical mice are one type. Others can range from something as basic as just having more comfortable shapes to pen mice, ring mice, foot controlled mice or a RollerMouse. It all depends on what is most comfortable to the individual. In any case it's not a complete solution but something that can certainly help mitigate problems when used in combination with changes in habit, such as regular hand exercises.

Personally, I use trackballs on my work computers and a fairly standard mouse on my game PC.

Isn't a trackball harder when alternating between big and small movements?