Developed wrist pain after wearing Apple Watch 24/7

steve626 wrote:

I am familiar with RSI and carpal tunnel but did not realize it was prevalent from people scrutinizing their watches so much. I understand better now what you and Idris are saying about this.

I wouldn't say "prevalent" or that it's just from checking the watch. For some people, it's the convex back pressing against a nerve that, because of normal variations in human anatomy, is in just the right location to be irritated. But it certainly happens.

steve626 wrote:

What you describe is unusual. I can't find similar experiences detailed online.

You must not have looked very hard...

It's called a Repetitive Stress Injury.

It's not all that uncommon especially with a smart watch where someone is constantly twisting their wrist to interact with it.

steve626 wrote:

I have worn traditional watches for many years, e.g. Timex watches and Casio ones. Switched to Apple Watch (Series 11) and it just feels like another watch band. Can't imagine why one type causes pain while another type does not.

I don't know that it's the watch band that's the issue. I think it's the watch itself. People spend an awful lot more time interacting with the screen of their Apple Watches than they do with your average Casio. That can mean that the wrist is held at an awkward angle. The convex back can also cause issues in sensitive people.

Also, Apple Watches, especially the Ultras, are heavy. While I'm sure some of the luxury-brand watches are also heavy, the last Casio I had was plastic. It floated.

Most people don't have a problem, but people who are predisposed to carpal tunnel syndrome or who already do a lot of repetitive movements with their hands and wrists may.

Do you have a technical question for the community?

You should really talk to your doctor about why that happened. What you're describing is symptomatic of an RSI.

Genie55 wrote:

I had a new Apple Watch in 2020, didn’t wear it at work or at night and it was great for exercise etc. when I retired in March 2023 I began wearing it 24/7 and enjoyed monitoring my sleep, fitness and the ability to pay with it. From August 2024 I began experiencing pain in the wrist I wore the watch on. It got so bad that I couldn’t lift anything with that hand or put any pressure on it at all. It ached permanently and woke me at night. In the December I removed it putting it in a drawer. After 2 weeks my pain had vanished - I sold the watch and haven’t looked back.

What you describe is unusual. I can't find similar experiences detailed online.

I have worn traditional watches for many years, e.g. Timex watches and Casio ones. Switched to Apple Watch (Series 11) and it just feels like another watch band. Can't imagine why one type causes pain while another type does not. Unless you had the Apple Watch band too tight, is that a possibility?

I wear my Apple Watch 24 hours a day except for a brief (20 minute) time when it is on the charger.

Since you no longer have the Apple Watch this is sort of moot but had I been in your situation, I would have tried a different band, maybe loosened it a bit.

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I am familiar with RSI and carpal tunnel but did not realize it was prevalent from people scrutinizing their watches so much. I understand better now what you and Idris are saying about this.