Rodin's "The Thinker" probably had Guyon Canal Syndrome

I felt a tingling in my hand last week. That week saw me spending obscene amounts of time in front of either my computer at work or at home; my hand usually clicking away with my mouse, in one position for the most part. So I looked it up, what is this tingle? Turns out it was a type of Ulnar Nerve Impingement called Guyon Canal Syndrome... Like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome but affects a different nerve in the arm and hand.

"Guyon's canal syndrome has several causes. Overuse of the wrist from heavy gripping, twisting, and repeated wrist and hand motions can cause symptoms. Working with the hand bent down and outward can squeeze the nerve inside Guyon's canal.

Constant pressure on the palm of the hand can produce symptoms. This is common in cyclists and weight lifters from the pressure of gripping. It can also happen after running a jackhammer or when using crutches.

Pessure or irritation of the ulnar nerve can cause symptoms of Guyon's canal syndrome. A traumatic wrist injury may cause swelling and extra pressure on the ulnar nerve within the canal. Arthritis in the wrist bones and joints may eventually irritate and compress the ulnar nerve. In rare cases, the ulnar artery that travels right beside the nerve may be damaged and form a blood clot. The symptoms caused by the clot mimic Guyon's canal syndrome. The lack of blood supply to the ulnar nerve is believed to cause the symptoms."

- http://www.handuniversity.com/

It got me thinking, randomly, about

Rodin's "The Thinker", the stoic man hunched over in contemplation, chin firmly resting on his bent wrist. Little did he know that while in this position he was placing undue pressure on his ulnar nerve that travels through the Guyon canal. It's a shame he's stuck in that position, cast in bronze, I found shaking out and massaging my hand really did the trick!