Fitting an even-sized body in an odd sized office desk

I'm 63 inches tall and use the same size desk as my tall male coworkers, who are right around the height of the person in question. Are you completely and totally 100% sure that this is an unusually sized desk? Because my height is not significant enough to affect the size of desk I use, and it seems kind of unthinkable to me that my company would offer to buy me a specially sized desk, as 63 inches is a very average height. If you've measured, and it's absolutely true that the desk in question is unusually small, could desks be switched out so that one of the significantly shorter people in the office (for instance the 55 inch person) has the shorty desk? Once you've done that, adjusting the chair height and monitor height should be enough to make it workable.

Has he checked craigslist? There always seems to be a lot of desks on there, at least in my area. Alternatively, Ikea sells http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/workspaces/18960/ that are quite inexpensive and let the user customize the desk height. My boyfriend is 6'6 and is sensitive to desk height, and he uses a http://www.officedepot.com/a/browse/monitor-risers-and-stands/N=5+509675/ as well, so that his screen is at eye level and he doesn't have to hunch over as he programs. Perhaps this person could try one of those as well?

Plantar fasciitis is a separate issue from the desk issue, but seems to indicate tall person should not switch to a standing desk. (This and back issues may be helped by a bit of weight loss though.) Tall person should consider doing the physical therapy if insurance will pay. Tall person needs an ergonomic chair, with height adjustment, and a desk that does not make tall person scrunch to sit at it. Desk does not actually have to be a desk, but could be one of the Ikea tables/customizations suggested. Tall person should actually go to an Ikea store, if possible, and test some of this stuff out to find a comfortable setup. Mr. gudrun is 6'3". His office has systems furniture, so they actually had to (and did without complaining), raise the height of his desk surface so he could sit properly. He has an adjustable chair, and a monitor riser (and a couple of extra books to raise the monitor more), to work comfortably. Mr. gudrun interjects, while reading this over my shoulder, that tall person should not be so long suffering, and tall person being "frugal" may wind up costing him money in the long run if he creates or exacerbates physical problems that then require medical intervention.

I would suggest they check out the http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/workspaces/18960/. Very customizable, adjustable height legs, various risers and whatnot for monitors (though for moving monitors around, my suggestion would be http://www.ergotron.com).

Other people in the office (where the office desk is) range from 55 inches to 63 inches, and the supposition is that the desks were accumulated over the years to accommodate them. 74 inherited one of those desks. This is not really likely because, as Sara C. points out, desks (and dining tables for that matter) are pretty much sold at a standard height (about 30"). That's not to say that this is the universally correct height, but unless all those desks at Tall Person's office were custom-built it's not likely that they were able to find mass-produced desks to match each individual's particular height. It would be more likely that they would have adult desks and maybe a few child/student desks. If Tall Person was given a student-sized desk this would be immediately obvious. I would send Tall Person into the office with a tape measure to measure the height of the desktop from the floor. If it's much less than 30", then yeah this is not a standard adult desk. You mentioned frugality. If Tall Person is in an area where Craigslist is active there are always tons and tons and tons of tables and desks for very cheap. If indeed the desk is smaller than standard height, Tall Person could buy a standard-height desk or table from Craigslist and see if that helps. If it doesn't help or it's ugly or whatever, it can go right back up on Craigslist and Tall Person isn't out much if any money.

I feel like you just need a chair of adjustable height. Then anyone could sit at the desk. The chair would be the problem, not the desk, unless they needed the chair so high they can't plant their feet firmly on the ground.

Between write and rewrite things got confusing, sorry. Planar fascitis seems to flare up when Tall person "has been sitting wrong" in their own words or "going back to cheap shoes" (dressy work shoes and weekend tenny runners). I'm thinking that some of the cramming themselves into the small desk area is part of the problem. Phys Therapy had been Rx'd and weight loss has been suggested, but not pursued. No pencil drawer in the desk. Modesty panel kicked out. Will advise: - remeasuring desk / person to OSHA standards. I think the work desk was unfit enough that Tall person couldn't comfortably cross legs/ move around under there without a lot of bumpinng. Home desk doesn't have that issue, but moving it further from the corner it's in might give more room. - verifying work chair; home chair seems to be appropriately sized - will gently suggest again to go back to the doctor or a new one and do the physical therapy this time. The involved parties are generally considered adults so there's only so much I can do to persuade them to get out of this loop. - will strongly suggest that if they insist their shoes are the problem, toss out the cheap crap ones and stick to the "good" expensive ones suggested by doc #2 (or was it #3? I am hard pressed to keep up with all of it). - Tara-dactyl - yeah, Tall person had a bad experience with one of those and won't be persuaded into reconsidering. Thanks, all.

Having been in similar situation, I agree with gudrun and Elly Vortex. For a person over 70", you'll probably need to adjust both desk and chair. Just like in that OSHA link, Theoretically, the person at the desk should be able to sit and work with: - thighs roughly parallel to the ground, - feet able to rest nearly flat on the ground, - forearms roughly parallel to the ground. Of course a person needs to adjust to their own position of comfort, and they shouldn't hold that parallel-thighs pose if it's not comfortable. But if the desk/chair doesn't allow that nearly-neutral position, the person will probably suffer in the long run. As suggested, try removing pencil drawer from area just above knees to prevent sitter from having to perch on chair with knees splayed outward and feet tucked inwards. Just be careful about any metal fittings still hanging in the area; they can wear through clothing (and thigh skin) fairly quickly. If possible, raise the whole desk. Bricks, cinder blocks, or 2x4s can be used, but you may want to put something under them to protect carpet/flooring. If you have access to elder-care/medical supply you may find something called "http://www.elderstore.com/elephant-feet-chair-bed-risers.aspx" that can be placed under the feet of a chair/bed (or desk) to raise them up. As for the chair, once the desk is higher, the user ought to be able to get the chair into a better position for them without pressing their thighs into the desk. If it's a home office and the tall person needs to move more, they could try sitting on a large sized exercise ball. I've used one in the past. They're inexpensive, and if it's inflated enough to be firm, it should be big enough to get those longer legs up high enough, and it'll force the sitter to shift positions and balance during the day. Of course, your mileage may vary.

an even-sized person who was a foot taller than the odd sized person I don't get what this means either. It seems like you are saying the tall person is not an odd size, but also that they are tall enough that odd sizes of furniture are needed. If you want to try a different desk height cheaply, go to a hardware store or garden store and buy "pavers" Stack under each leg of the desk until it's at the height wanted. Pavers can also be used at the office, but might not present as professional appearance as desired. Depending on the office, this can be a good way to get them to buy a different desk. Raising the monitor might also be helpful as well.