ELITE Shoulder

Hi Cmdr`s,

On Wednesday my right arm was in so much pain I could hardly move it and only today am I able to put my right arm above my head.

Over the last few days trying to figure out what caused it and apart from my age and that I do suffer from Arthritis I believe it was ELITE Shoulder, you see I have an old X45 and the stick is quite stiff and with constant use since beta 1 I think its taken it`s toll out of my arm :(

So maybe time to invest in a more flexible stick. How is the HOTAS X ?

All the best.
 
hi there, this is directly related to the way you are sitting and using your mouse (and possibly keyboard).

If your arm is even slightly outstretched when using your mouse you will put your shoulder muscle under a minute but intense strain...this eventually can permanently damage your shoulder muscle - my advice is to follow the exact sitting position shown here. Btw - I also suffered from this (another game though as I use j/stick for ED) and sitting as per the link fixed my shoulder.

See the graphic halfway down the page: Workplace Ergonomics – An Infographic

http://www.riyaz.net/tech/desktop-ergonomics/3126/
 
Sorry to hear about your arm, Riker. I'm currently taking a break from the game as well, due to a carpal tunnel issue in my left hand. Likely also because I had my HOTAS setup incorrectly, causing strain.

But to answer your question, the Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X has an adjustable tension on the joystick. So you can tighten or loosen it as much as you feel comfortable. A nice feature for such an inexpensive flight control system.

Hope you feel better soon. :)
 
What the...

My right shoulder/neck has been hurting since yesterday, I put it down to sleeping funny.

I bet it's ELITE SHOULDER!!!

shoulder-pain.jpg
 
Last edited:
OH THANK GOD IT'S NOT JUST ME :D

I've rearranged the positions of these sticks and the height of my chair about a bazillion times. I sleep on my right shoulder, too - can't fall asleep on the left - so that's not helping much either :D
 
Reminds me of 'Messerschmitt Neck' our BoB pilots had!

My Hotas X52 is on the same level as the workstation...it's too high and needs lowering....
I have to lean forward and reach up in Combat and can do about 90 mins before the back ache starts!
I can see 5 options if you would like to input some suggestions?

1. Raise computer chair on some beer crates...
2. Saw 18" off the bottom of computer desk...
3. Glue Hotas to either side of chair (or duct tape,nylon ties etc..)
4. Take PK's/Tempranillo before Combat....
5. Ticket the problem....
 
Last edited:
the first few days both of my shoulders were really aching. i had a new stick and it is a lot higher than my keyboard and mouse.

i have a regular dining table as my desk and an office chair to sit on. the design of the table kept the arms of my chair a lot lower than the level of the surface. while not ideal it was ok for my mouse and keyboard.

so i've cut away at my desk in a way that has allowed me to get my chair arms closer to the level of my desk. that stopped the aching straight away.

so, moral of the story, it might not just be the stiffness of the springs in your joystick, it could be anything todo with the ergonomics of your environment.
 
Hmm I wonder if that's why my elbow has been hurting something fierce lately.... I dont have the greatest positioning for my Hotas x52 Pro. I'm also in the 40+ category of gamers ;p.
 
Sorry to hear, reminds me of the days of "Nintendo Thumb" when the Gameboy first came out.
Don't tell the Daily Mail, they'll launch legal action lol
 
Yep, using the hotas which are about 6" higher than your desk can cause issues. Even worse with arthritis. I'm surprised you play games much with the arthritis, as it is my understanding that movement actually helps relieve the arthritis pain. I would think sitting in front of the computer pew pewing would be too sedentary to be comfortable for long.

But, if you are a gamer, then stock up on the bengay and advil! And don't sit for hours. Take a break every hour, get up, go smack the dog/wife/kid/chicken around for a bit, and then go back to gaming! :D
 
hi there, this is directly related to the way you are sitting and using your mouse (and possibly keyboard).

If your arm is even slightly outstretched when using your mouse you will put your shoulder muscle under a minute but intense strain...this eventually can permanently damage your shoulder muscle - my advice is to follow the exact sitting position shown here. Btw - I also suffered from this (another game though as I use j/stick for ED) and sitting as per the link fixed my shoulder.

See the graphic halfway down the page: Workplace Ergonomics – An Infographic

http://www.riyaz.net/tech/desktop-ergonomics/3126/


Gorodd, yep many thanks for advice most of that I know as I used to be a Network Support Manager and used to advice my people the same thing but I will go over my seating position again maybe I slipped up somewhere, or maybe im just to tense when fighting ships or running away from pirates ;)

All the best.

Riker13 :)

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

Sorry to hear about your arm, Riker. I'm currently taking a break from the game as well, due to a carpal tunnel issue in my left hand. Likely also because I had my HOTAS setup incorrectly, causing strain.

But to answer your question, the Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X has an adjustable tension on the joystick. So you can tighten or loosen it as much as you feel comfortable. A nice feature for such an inexpensive flight control system.

Hope you feel better soon. :)

Sakeel, thanks for the kind words, I have purchased the HOTAS X a few hours ago so it seems I made the right decision.

Take Care of your own Carpal tunnel issue my Friend.

All the best.

Riker 13 :)

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

Botstorm, lol. It will be in the Medical Journal next month for sure ;)
 
CaptainBiky, yes looks like I am going to have to make a few changes myself, no your not alone it seems "ELITE Shoulder" (TM) ;) is a future concern for us all.
 
Yep, using the hotas which are about 6" higher than your desk can cause issues. Even worse with arthritis. I'm surprised you play games much with the arthritis, as it is my understanding that movement actually helps relieve the arthritis pain. I would think sitting in front of the computer pew pewing would be too sedentary to be comfortable for long.

But, if you are a gamer, then stock up on the bengay and advil! And don't sit for hours. Take a break every hour, get up, go smack the dog/wife/kid/chicken around for a bit, and then go back to gaming! :D


My Arthritis is in the spine and the meds I am on are quite strong, my shoulder has been ok until now the pain even broke through my normal meds but yes I do get up every hour or so to see to the Cats and then get my Wife dinner when she comes in from Work.

Don't want to take too much of my medication while playing though as I will get pulled over for Flying under the influence ;)

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

It seems more people are having issues while playing this game and not game related this time, I expect as some posters have said its down to poor seating position or such like.

I will need to have a good look into how I am seating from now on to see if changes can be make but I hope the new joystick will help ;)

Thank you all for your replies they have cheered me up :)

Take Care.

Riker13
 
If you're extending your arms too far forward, you're stressing the crap out of the muscles and joint, which is why they hurt.

Ideally, you should be able to use the sticks/HOTAS with some support from the arms of your chair, rather than reaching and extending to use them.

I'm thinking of using the mounting technique that Grumbleweed mentioned. I saw that post back during Beta and thought it might be worth looking into.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom