PSA: Thumbs can get overuse injuries
An awesome feature of split keyboards like the Kinesis Advantage, Ergodox, and Corne are their thumb keys. They’re often advocated based on that thumbs are the strongest fingers, and thumb keys offload work from the pinkies: “thumbs good, pinkies bad.”
Unfortunately, it is not all roses. Thumbs are strong, but not invincible. People can and do get thumb injuries from typing. Furthermore, thumbs are built and move in ways that are biomechanically distinct from the other fingers, so their susceptibility to injury are not entirely comparable.
Don’t get me wrong, multiple thumb keys are a fantastic tool. I wish more keyboards had them. The point is to take it in measure and not overdo it.
Dear reader, if you are interested in this topic, I assume you might have concerns about your thumbs. Please be careful that RSI can escalate quickly and irreversibly. If you have pain, it is important to see a doctor promptly.
Here are some stories of thumb pain related to typing. I am grateful to the folks who shared these so that we may learn from their experience.
