Have you heard of such ailments as "smartphone finger", "selfie wrist", "computer neck syndrome" or "computer hump"? The obsession with various kinds of gadgets even before the pandemic had negative consequences for many, and even more so today. On the prevention and treatment of diseases of our time - in the article.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, our lives were already full of examples of excessive use of technological innovations. We've seen it everywhere: when traveling on public transport, at stops and stations, in shopping malls, at the workplace, in restaurants and cafes, at holiday dinners with relatives and even at home, we all the time use smartphones and wear headphones.
In the current conditions of self-isolation, excessive use of gadgets has become even more obvious: waking up, children and adults start the day with smartphones in their hands, and they fall asleep with them.
Today, the number of smartphone users reaches over 3 billion people, and the obsession with these devices has a catastrophic effect on our bodies.
In this article, we want to talk about the most serious health problems that arise with prolonged use of gadgets, as well as methods for their prevention and treatment.
TEXTER THUMB
The scientific name of the disease is de Quervain's tendonitis. This is a type of inflammation that affects the tendons and their ligaments responsible for movement of the thumb (extensors of the thumb). Often it occurs as a result of a heavy load on the thumb, for example, when typing in gadgets or during electronic games. For this reason, the disease is sometimes referred to as the "gamer thumb".
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Symptoms begin with pain when you move your thumb. It can spread to the wrist and forearm and can vary in severity, swelling at the base of the thumb, and sometimes a burning sensation in the hand.
This inflammation affects the hand's ability to hold objects. In addition, the classic manifestation of thumb disease is that it takes on a hammer-like shape.
Treatment
In mild cases, treatment is simple and does not require surgery. It is only necessary to limit the period during which the hand maintains an unnatural position. In addition, you can use a dedicated strap and do a number of home exercises. Finally, analgesics can be used, but sometimes the pain becomes chronic and requires surgery.
Smartphone Finger (SMARTPHONE THUMB)
This term is used to refer to thumb disease due to prolonged use of a smartphone while texting and watching social media feeds.
Previously, workers in factories and factories were susceptible to this disease, but today, excessive use of smartphones affects the tendons responsible for movement of the thumb, causes inflammation and manifests itself in the form of pain in the arm or loss of the ability to hold objects.
Treatment
- Use voice messages instead of text messages
- Try to use both hands when typing messages; hold the device with one hand and type with the other without relying solely on your thumb
- Let your hands rest
- Limit the time spent playing electronic games
- Use ice packs if you feel pain and swelling of your finger
Click finger syndrome (TRIGGER THUMB)
Click finger syndrome is a painful pathology characterized by difficulty in flexing the phalanges of the thumb or any other finger. With this disease, the finger gets stuck in a bent position and unbends with a characteristic click, as when pressing the trigger of a pistol. Incidentally, this clicking sound gave the name to the aforementioned disease.
The scientific name of the syndrome is stenosing ligamentitis. The cause of this disease is considered to be improper use of one of the fingers. For example, the index finger when operating a computer mouse or typing on a computer keyboard. This leads to inflammation of the connective tissues and ligaments holding the flexor tendons. When you try to straighten your finger, pain and a characteristic clicking sound appear. In addition, there is a "blocking" of the finger in the extended state. Complications of stenosing ligamentitis can be accompanied by the appearance of a dense, painful lump at the base of the finger. If the condition worsens, the finger gets stuck in the flexed position.
Treatment of the disease:
- Give your hand a rest for a while;
- Use a special fixation bandage;
- Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Do regular finger stretching exercises;
- Get a course of topical corticosteroid injections;
- Resort to surgery as a last resort.
Carpal (carpal) tunnel syndrome (CARPAL TUNNEL)
Numerous studies show that using smartphones has a negative effect on a person's hands, especially on the median nerve. Recall that it is responsible for the sensitivity and functioning of the palm and fingers, with the exception of the little finger, and also innervates the muscles of the thumb. Disruption of the median nerve leads to carpal (carpal) tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs due to increased pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel where it travels. The main manifestations of the disease are tingling, numbness and pain in the fingers, palms and forearms. By the way, the aforementioned symptoms negatively affect the duration and quality of sleep.
Taking measures to prevent carpal (carpal) tunnel syndrome will certainly be the best solution, since it will eliminate the need for surgery and prevent the disease from becoming chronic.
Most often, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome develop gradually, so when you notice the first signs, you should try to reduce the pressure on the median nerve. If your job requires typing on a computer keyboard, then you need to reduce the pressure on the keys. It is also highly recommended to take breaks during work.
Unfortunately, the condition of the hand often worsens, requiring medical intervention that includes non-surgical and surgical treatments.
Non-surgical treatment methods:
- Change the working habits that cause illness. Change your mobile phone to a smartphone with a large screen, change the way you print on your computer or how you hold the mouse;
- Wear a special fixation bandage, especially at night, which will prevent the wrist from bending during sleep;
- Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve pain and inflammation at the same time;
- Take a course of corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling and inflammation. They will remove pain and eliminate pressure on the median nerve.
- Get physical therapy, regular exercises to relieve pressure on the median nerve, and exercises to strengthen the muscles of the wrist.
Surgical treatment methods:
- Endoscopic surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, which relieves pressure on the median nerve.
Selfie wrist (SELFIE WRIST)
The unbridled desire to take selfies negatively affects the ability of the hand to hold things, and also causes a neurological condition - carpal tunnel syndrome.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome occur in 18-35 year-olds as a result of compression of the median nerve where it passes through the carpal tunnel. This is due to the fact that during selfies you have to unnaturally twist your wrist in order to catch the right angle for shooting.
Treatment of the disease:
- Do not press hard on the phone screen when using it;
- Do not use only one hand to operate the mobile phone, alternate between them.
- Give your hands a rest from time to time;
- Exercise regularly to stretch your fingers and wrist muscles.
SELFIE ELBOW
Selfie elbow is a condition similar to tennis elbow syndrome or lateral epicondylitis. Inflammation of the elbow joint occurs due to the constant tension of the tendons of the elbow during selfies, when a person holds a mobile phone at arm's length. Symptoms associated with Selfie Elbow Syndrome include soreness where the tendon meets the bone. What's more, arm pain can spread from the elbow to the hand.
Unfortunately, the symptoms of Selfie Elbow Syndrome are not limited to soreness in the elbow area. It also affects the hand's ability to grip objects and perform some difficult actions, such as shaking hands, holding a cup of coffee, or turning the doorknob. In addition, it makes it difficult to extend the arm forward.
Treatment of the disease:
The recovery period can take anywhere from six months to a year, but there are several methods that can help reduce pain and speed up recovery:
- Use ice packs to relieve pain;
- Use a special fixation bandage;
- Take pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Do regular exercises to develop joint mobility and flexibility;
- Get a course of topical corticosteroid injections;
- Go for surgery if the pain becomes chronic.
Cell phone elbow (CELLPHONE ELBOW)
Symptoms associated with cell phone elbow syndrome include numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in the little and ring fingers due to pressure on the ulnar nerve, which travels through the cubital canal just behind the inner side of the elbow. The scientific name of the disease is cubital tunnel syndrome. It occurs when a person rests on their elbow for a long time while using a mobile phone or computer.
Treatment of the disease:
Taking preventive measures is the best initial treatment to not only reduce pressure on the ulnar nerve, but also avoid surgery.
Computer Neck Syndrome (TEXT NECK)
Computer Neck Syndrome is not a medical term, but it has become widespread recently. He is credited with all the painful sensations in the neck and shoulders caused by excessive use of mobile phones.
The average adult head weighs about 4.5 kilograms. We don't feel it because the neck was specially designed to support the weight of the head. But what happens when you bow your head over your cell phone? The center of gravity shifts forward, which increases the load on the cervical spine. If earlier the load on the cervical vertebrae was 4.5 kilograms, then when tilting the head weight increases to 22 kilograms.
Can you imagine how many hours you spend buried in your cell phone? Your neck is in an unnatural position for a long time, which leads to catastrophic consequences: from pain to displacement of the cervical vertebrae.
Symptoms associated with computer neck syndrome include persistent pain in the neck, shoulders and upper back, as well as seizures and limited movement of the cervical spine.
Treatment of the disease:
- Change your position when using computers and mobile phones. Rest from time to time and sit with your back straight;
- Do regular stretching and exercises to strengthen your neck muscles.
COMPUTER HUNCH
Normally, the spine has a bulging region in the upper back, but sitting in front of a computer or mobile phone for long periods of time increases the hump, which ultimately leads to curvature of the spine or postural kyphosis.
The degree of curvature ranges from mild to severe, resulting in severe deformity of the back. Symptoms associated with postural kyphosis include pain or burning in the upper neck, headache, and decreased blood flow to the brain and upper extremities.
Treatment of the disease:
- Try to sit up straight;
- Place a comfortable table at the workplace;
- Take breaks while working;
- Do regular back and shoulder exercises. For example, rowing.
Mouse Syndrome (MOUSE WRIST)
Wrist pain that occurs when using a computer mouse is often caused by holding or fitting the mouse incorrectly. It can be too large, too small or too heavy, which requires more control, and this, in turn, is very harmful to the hand.
How to prevent the development of the disease:
- Choose the type of computer mouse that suits your hand. The most popular types include the palm grip, the claw grip, and the fingertip grip.
- Adjust the office chair for better control;
- Try not to put your wrist on the edge of the table when using the mouse;
- Use a mouse pad with a dedicated wrist pad.
After we have considered all the problems of the musculoskeletal system arising from the misuse of our organs, it is necessary to take serious measures to maintain the health and normal functioning of the body.
Zeinab al-Mulyah