Gamers thumb / Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

[José]

So i probally have gamers thumb (Quervain’s Tenosynovitis) because of using my steam deck. I haven't even been playing for many hours a day max 2 hours a day and some days i haven't been playing at all.

I'm a woman with small hands and I think i just have to sell the steam deck, i can't even play for 30 minutes without pain. I'm also pregnant and Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is really common in pregnant woman.

I feel a bit sad because i have had my steam deck for about 1,5 months now but I can't even enjoy it :(.

Would like to hear some tips from other people with small hands, did you sell the SD or did something else work?

[Canadian Gamer]

Use the Trackpads instead of the analog sticks. Just use Steam Input to set them to be the left and right analog sticks, and make small adjustments to suit your needs.

[Haruspex]

Take more breaks, and don't use Google for medical diagnosis.

Google - "Thumb hurts"
Answer - "You have terminal stage 4 cancer"

[Belaptir]

Originally posted by 8bitbeard:

Take more breaks, and don't use Google for medical diagnosis.

Google - "Thumb hurts"
Answer - "You have terminal stage 4 cancer"

Don't go misleading people like that! It's not always that bad with google!

Sometimes it gives you stage 3 cancer...

On a serious note OP, talk to a doctor first, and switch to thumbnails instead of joysticks. If it's a pregnancy related issue, after it you should be fine to enjoy the deck again!

[xep]

I would be very sad too. Playing Diablo 3 gave me RSI, but that went away once I stopped. Maybe you could play a game that doesn't put as much stress on your thumbs?

[macxtc]

This sounds like A Trollish trick to start a stupid conversation...

[José]

Originally posted by macxtc:

This sounds like A Trollish trick to start a stupid conversation...

Why?

[José]

Originally posted by Canadian Gamer:

Use the Trackpads instead of the analog sticks. Just use Steam Input to set them to be the left and right analog sticks, and make small adjustments to suit your needs.

Thanks, will try!

[José]

Originally posted by xep:

I would be very sad too. Playing Diablo 3 gave me RSI, but that went away once I stopped. Maybe you could play a game that doesn't put as much stress on your thumbs?

I think it's because i put a lot of pressure on my thumbs, especially when a game is getting stresfull. Maybe i should try some relaxing games then

[Mosho Games]

I have been using the Steam Deck for a couple of months, and I have developed De Quervian's syndrome. It doesn't take a genius to recognize it, and the test doctors have you do to check for it is to wrap your thumb in your fingers and pull down - if it tugs or is painful, it is most likely de quervian's.
I get the "Don't google blah blah blah", but it's dumb to suggest that in this case when it's such a simple recognition of what it is. De quervian's is very common in gamers - thus why it has a modern day term of "gamer's thumb"

I have a thumb and wrist spica splint coming through the mail, which is one thing doctors recommend. I will wear it in my down time to keep the hand/wrist stable to heal. I also have a doctor's appointment next week, for further instruction, and will verify for all of the "Google says you'll have stage whatever cancer" people that it is a simple recognition and they're being ridiculous over this.

I'm not getting rid of the SD. I love it. And part of the reason I developed de quervians is because I use it a lot for extended periods of time. I will use the brace, ibuprofen, and take more breaks when playing to mitigate the symptoms.

I also recommend you see a doctor for verification of what it is (though I see this post is like 2 years old).

[[?]legit]

Well, the steam deck definitely has one of the worst stick layouts, because you have to stretch your thumbs a lot to reach them. They're constantly under tension. This is very uncomfortable and apart from potentially developing medical conditions, it's difficult to aim precicesly like that. If you're a trackpad gamer, the layout is perfect though. For the thumbsticks it's pretty terrible.

Ideally a steam deck 2 has detachable sides, and Valve creates two joycons for the right side, where the thumbstick and trackpad positions are switched with one.