Smartphones have increased cases of carpal tunnel in adolescents
Everything in excess ends up being harmful. However much they help, new technologies have consequences in the long run if they are abused. An example is the increase in cases of carpal tunnel in adolescents as a result of the excessive use of smartphones at these ages. This is what the work carried out by Sol Villa Martínez reflects.
In it is collected how maintaining the same position on the wrist of adolescents ends up causing in them the symptoms of the carpal tunnel. An alert to take care of the health of young people who are the most common users of these technologies.
Carpal tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome is defined as a excessive pressure in the median nerve. This is the nerve in the wrist that allows sensitivity and movement to parts of the hand. An inflammation in the wrist causes this impingement, with which the person experiences a sensation of pain, especially when making movements.
The inflammation is caused by a genetic defect that makes this wrist space more narrow of the common, exerting a greater pressure on the nerve. It is also possible for people to experience this pain after repeating the same movement for long hours in the same position.
In the case of teenagers, this repetitive movement is the writing of the smartphone that forces the doll to hold the weight of the smartphone in the air for a long time. In fact, this study shows how if before it was from the 25 years When the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome began to be felt, an increase in cases in 18-year-olds has now been noticed.
Greater pain in the wrist
To determine the influence of the smartphone in the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome, the researchers conducted an analysis to 20 adults without any problem in the motor apparatus and were asked to use a smartphone for 30 minutes in comfortable positions and sitting in a chair where they were assured the position of their shoulders at an angle of about 90 degrees in the elbow.
At the conclusion of the study, it was observed that there were differences in the median nerve circumference, causing more pressure on it. That is, the use of these technologies for too long negatively affects the wrist, and abuse can lead to muscle fatigue.
To avoid the pain derived from this abuse of smartphones, the specialists give the following advice:
- Reduce the time in which the same posture on the wrist is maintained.
- Perform movement exercises on the wrists, favoring muscle relaxation.
- Apply heat in the painful area.
Damián Montero
