3 surprising side effects caused by using technology

Every day, just about all of us depend on using some sort of “smart” technology.  From texting, emailing, or web surfing on your smartphones or computers, technology is here to stay.  All of us would agree these devices have provided us with numerous innovations, conveniences and entertainment, changing forever the way we live our lives. However, these same modern-day gadgets have also caused a few unexpected side effects - injuries. 

More and more orthopedic surgeons are seeing patients who have developed injuries from using smart technology.  Here are 3 types of injuries you may experience if you find yourself glued to these apparatuses several hours a day:

1.  Hand pain

Frequent texting and typing could possibly lead to generalized hand pain from underlying osteoarthritis which is a wearing away of the cartilage in the joints.  It’s not because the gadgets themselves cause osteoarthritis but rather if you are already prone to developing it, they certainly don’t help. 

One type of symptom is pain over the thumb side of the wrist.  This pain can appear gradually or suddenly as it moves up your forearm.  This is due to overuse of your thumb from texting too much causing strain or an overuse injury of the tendons running down the wrist to the thumb. 

Another possible injury is pushing buttons too hard with your fingers on your devices.  This can lead to inflammation around the tendons allowing your finger to bend which can cause trigger finger or stenosing tenosynovitia.  Symptoms of trigger finger include pain, popping, and a feeling that the digit is locking when you bend or straighten it.

2.  Hand numbness and tingling

Carpal tunnel syndrome – a condition in which the median nerve is compressed as it passes through a small area at the wrist known as carpal tunnel – may rear its head due to excess typing on a laptop or desktop keyboard.  The act of typing does not actually cause carpal tunnel syndrome but rather brings out the symptoms which include pain, tingling, and numbness in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and inner half of the ring finger. 

Pay attention to not leaning too much on your elbows when typing.  This could lead to pain, numbness, or tingling in the ring or little finger due to cubital tunnel syndrome.  Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition that involves pressure or stretching of the ulnar nerve (also known as the “funny bone” nerve), which can aforementioned symptoms.

3.  Neck and back pain

How many of us find ourselves bending our neck looking down for long periods as we check our emails, text, or view social media on our smartphones or other devices?  Holding our head and neck in this position for extended lengths of time is not natural or normal and many of us are paying the price.  Spending long periods of time looking down stretches the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in our neck and upper back creating poor posture.

Even though the pain in our neck can be temporary and is usually not permanent, it is still uncomfortable and is irritating to the occipital nerve where the spine connects to the base of the skull which could lead to headaches. 

How to avoid hand and wrist injuries

Since very few if any of us are willing to give up our smart technology anytime soon, there are several things you can do to avoid the inconvenience of aches and pains you may experience:

·      Spend less time on your devices. Take a break.  Do other activities that do not involve using technology.

·      Use short-term over-the-counter painkillers to relieve pain.

·      Do exercises to stretch the tendons.

·      Give your thumbs a break by using your other fingers to text or use a stylus. 

·      Use voice commands giving your hands and fingers a break.

·      To ease carpal tunnel pain, set up your workstation so your forearms are parallel to the floor, your wrists are straight and in line with your forearms, and your elbows are relaxed and bent at a 90-degree angle at your wrist.

Avoiding back and neck injuries

·      Keep your gaze parallel to the floor as opposed to looking downward. It helps to raise the computer monitor so it’s level with your eyes.

·      Do the same with handheld devices by propping them up on a few pillows to look at them without looking down.

·      Take frequent breaks from smart devices and pay attention to discomfort.  If you neck is feeling stiff, change positions.

·      Prevent pain by exercising and strengthening your core muscles, which support the spine.  If you’re physically fit, you will be less likely to develop neck or back pain.