If you’re a gamer, you’ve probably set the control down after a mammoth, hours-long session and felt a tingling sensation in your hands or thumbs. Bad news: That’s the first symptom of Repetitive Stress Injury, better known as carpal tunnel syndrome, which can eventually lead to debilitating pain. To combat carpal tunnel syndrome Los Angeles gamers now have the Promotion, an ergonomic controller designed by Smartfish which–get this–is also a robot, guiding you towards better hand positioning.
 

The grips of the control move on two axes: First, in an arc revolving around it’s center, and also up and down. That’s where the robotics kick in. The controller senses exactly how long you’ve been playing in a given position, and then periodically changes the controller’s shape, to prevent repetitive stress. In all, it cycles through seven stages. When a person’s hand remains in a fixed position for long periods of time, this irritates the nerves in the hand, a condition which can be very painful and possibly require hand surgery Los Angeles hand surgeons tell us.
 

Smartfish created the device–in addition to a wireless mouse and a robotic, wireless keyboard–in consultation with the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, one of the world’s leading orthopedic surgery facilities for treating carpal tunnel syndrome Los Angeles experts say. The mouse and the keyboard will ship in August, for $60 and $150. The controller will be available some time after that. The only catch: It’s only available for PC’s and Macs. For more information on treatments for hand injuries and carpal tunnel surgery Los Angeles residents are encouraged to contact their local hand treatment specialists.