[Histonet] Ergonomics

[Gagnon, Eric]

Hi Karen,

Here's a response to your question, as I haven't seen any others (?)  While I haven't used the Newcomer handgrip device, I developed have DeQuervain's Tenosynovitis , a repetitive strain injury from turnin' the ol' microtome wheel for 28 or so years now.  I would definitely recommend the foot pedal, since you have a microtome equipped with one.  Yes, there is some loss of 'feeling' and it's a change from two hands on, but there is still the option of taking the microtome 'off line' and turning the wheel manually for difficult blocks.

I can only speak for myself, but the more I used the foot pedal, the more confident and at ease I became.  Start off slowly, working up towards more challenging blocks as soon as you can.  Not that one can ever let one's guard down with anything with a motor...car, microtome, what have you.

But in terms of ergonomics and saving your joints, I would try anything and everything you have at your disposal.  It's never too late to change for the better.

Hope this helps,

Eric Gagnon MLT
Histology Laboratory
Kingston General Hospital,
Kingston, Ontario, Canada