With smartphones now a staple in our daily lives, many spend hours texting and scrolling, often unaware of the strain it puts on our hands and wrists. If you’ve ever felt numbness or tingling in your fingers after prolonged phone use, you might wonder if it’s causing long-term harm. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), linked to repetitive hand movements, is a growing concern in our tech-heavy world. To find out if smartphone use contributes to CTS, we spoke to Dr Chalasani Vamsi, Chalasani Vamsi, Consultant – Neurologist, Manipal Hospital, Vijayawada, who explained the connection.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

“Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common condition where the median nerve in the wrist gets compressed, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand,” said Dr Vamsi. The condition is often caused by repetitive hand movements, poor wrist posture, or conditions that cause swelling in the wrist, such as arthritis or diabetes. It’s important to seek treatment and diagnosis for CTS early on so that it does not lead to decreased hand function or muscle weakness.

According to StatPearls, CTS is the most common type of focal mononeuropathy, accounting for 90% of all neuropathy cases. It arises when the median nerve is compressed while passing through the carpal tunnel, resulting in entrapment neuropathy.

Can Phone Use Cause CTS Directly?

The rise in smartphone usage has raised concerns about its link to CTS. Many people hold their phones in awkward positions for extended periods, such as typing with their thumbs or holding the phone in a tight grip, which can place stress on the tendons and nerves in the hand and wrist.

“Phone use alone is unlikely to be the sole cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, excessive and improper phone usage, especially combined with other risk factors, may exacerbate or mimic CTS symptoms,” said Dr Vamsi.

According to a 2021 study, CTS negatively affects patients’ daily activities and work. This study demonstrated a link between increased smartphone usage hours and the development of CTS.

Frequent smartphone use, involving repetitive hand movements, reduces the space around the median nerve, leading to increased pressure in the carpal tunnel. This results in a notable decrease in sensory nerve conduction velocity, an early sign of CTS, indicating that excessive smartphone use impacts the median nerve, as stated in a 2022 study.

Also Read: Weak Hands May Mean Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Here’s What To Look Out For

Symptoms Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The thumb, index, and middle fingers may experience pain, along with tingling and numbness in those regions. In more severe cases, this condition can lead to muscle weakness.

• Repeated movements, such as holding a phone for long periods or excessive texting, can strain the tendons in the wrist.
• Holding a phone in awkward positions, such as keeping the wrist bent, can increase pressure on the median nerve.
• Frequent texting and scrolling use the thumb extensively. Thumb overuse can strain the tendons, leading to pain in the hand and wrist, a condition sometimes called ‘texting thumb.’
• This overuse may not directly cause carpal tunnel syndrome but can contribute to similar symptoms and repetitive stress injuries.

Risk Factors for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Genetics: People with smaller carpal tunnels are more prone to developing CTS.
• Repetitive Motions: Constant wrist movements, such as typing, knitting, or using phones, can increase the risk.
• Other Factors: Obesity, pregnancy, diabetes, and arthritis are also associated with an increased risk of CTS.

Also Read: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: How Manual Exercises Can Help Manage The Pain

Prevention Tips

Here are some preventative measures to avoid your phone causing CTS, as listed by Dr Vamsi:

• Take Frequent Breaks: Limit continuous phone use and take breaks to relax your hands and wrists.
• Maintain Neutral Wrist Posture: Hold the phone at eye level and avoid bending your wrists for prolonged periods.
• Use Voice Commands: Reducing typing by using voice assistants can minimise thumb strain.
• Strengthening Exercises: Stretching and strengthening wrist and hand muscles can help reduce strain.

Bottomline

Dr Vamsi concluded, “While using your phone alone may not directly cause carpal tunnel syndrome, improper and excessive use can lead to wrist strain and related symptoms. Proper posture and mindful phone use can help prevent discomfort and reduce the risk of developing repetitive stress injuries.”

[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your own professional if you are dealing with any health issues to avoid complications.]