Understanding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & Tech-Related Conditions

“Technology is a constant presence in our daily lives,” said Christopher Larsen, MD, Catholic Health Orthopedic Surgeon. “Many of us spend several hours on our smartphones, laptops or video game consoles daily. However, spending too much time on your devices can cause conditions that affect your fingers, hands, wrists and elbows.”

What conditions are caused by the use of technology?

Three common conditions associated with the use of technology are:

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Cell phone elbow
Gamer’s thumb

“By recognizing the symptoms of these conditions, you can get the treatment and relief you need,” said Dr. Larsen.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the index finger, middle finger and thumb. It causes numbness, tingling or weakness in the hand and wrist. The median nerve travels through the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway in the wrist.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the passageway swells and puts pressure on the median nerve. Symptoms are often worse at night because bending or extending the wrist while sleeping decreases space in the carpal tunnel and because our extremities swell at night, putting further pressure on the nerve. If left untreated, it can worsen over time and cause permanent loss of sensation or weakness in the hand.

Carpal tunnel syndrome develops most commonly in women and as people age, but it can happen to anyone. The ergonomic positioning of the wrist when some people type and text increases risk.

How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?

“The first approach is usually nonsurgical treatment, as long as there are no signs of advanced nerve damage,” said Dr. Larsen.

Nonsurgical treatments include:

Braces and splints. Braces or splints keep the wrist straight while you sleep or perform repetitive activities, relieving pressure on the median nerve.
Corticosteroids. Steroid injections can help relieve pain in your hands and wrists. However, relief from steroid injections is usually temporary, and it is difficult to predict how long a steroid injection will be beneficial or provide relief.
Lifestyle modifications. Stretching and taking a break from your keyboard and cell phone throughout the day can help reduce symptoms. An ergonomic keyboard designed to keep the wrist in a neutral position while typing can be beneficial.

For more severe cases, an orthopedic surgeon can perform carpal tunnel release surgery to effectively relieve pressure on the median nerve effectively.

What is cell phone elbow?

Cell phone elbow, also known as cubital tunnel syndrome, affects the pinky and ring finger. It can feel like when you hit your “funny bone.” You may also feel numbness, tingling or a weak grip when holding something.

Cell phone elbow occurs when the ulnar nerve, one of the three main nerves in the arm, becomes inflamed, irritated or swollen. The nerve moves through the cubital tunnel, a passageway of bone, ligament and muscle inside the elbow.

Cell phone elbow is often exacerbated when you constantly bend or lean on your elbow for long periods of time. People who spend a lot of time texting or talking on their cell phones can develop cubital tunnel syndrome. Bending your elbow for long periods, like when holding a cell phone, can put pressure on the ulnar nerve. Similar to carpal tunnel, patients will often have worse symptoms at night if they sleep with their elbows bent, as this decreases the space in the cubital tunnel for the ulnar nerve.

How is cell phone elbow treated?

“Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, the first option is usually a trial of nonsurgical treatment,” said Dr. Larsen.

Nonsurgical treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome includes:

Braces or splints. Keeping the elbow straight at night can relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve. Ergonomic adjustments and learning to avoid holding the elbow in a flexed position can be very helpful.
Therapy. Nerve glide exercises with an occupational or physical therapist can be beneficial. These exercises aim to glide the nerve back and forth past the area of compression in the elbow, which can reduce inflammation and decrease symptoms.

Severe cases of cell phone elbow may require surgery to relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve. Cubital tunnel release surgery cuts the tissue covering the ulnar nerve to eliminate the area(s) of compression on the nerve. Some people will have some ulnar nerve instability that can show during surgery. If found, an orthopedic surgeon will also often perform an anterior transposition of the nerve, which reduces the risk of symptoms reoccurring following cubital tunnel release.

What is gamer’s thumb?

Gamer’s thumb, medically known as de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, causes pain at the base of the thumb or makes it hard to move the thumb or wrist. If left untreated, de Quervain’s tenosynovitis can cause pain that spreads into the forearm. Other symptoms include pain and swelling on the thumb side of the wrist, which is worse when the wrist deviates toward the pinky side.

Gamer’s thumb occurs when the thumb tendons become inflamed or irritated. It results from repetitive thumb movements, such as texting or using joysticks on a video game controller.

Mild cases of gamer’s thumb can last a couple of hours after gaming or typing. However, the condition can have lasting effects if not addressed quickly. You may develop inflammation around the tendons, reduced range of motion, and persistent pain.

People who play video games or use smartphones or tablets for extended periods are at risk for gamer’s thumb. Occupations that involve repetitive hand and wrist movements also put people at risk. New mothers or caregivers who frequently lift young children can also develop de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.

Treatment for gamer’s thumb includes:

Corticosteroid injections. Steroid injections can help relieve pain in the thumbs and wrists.
Braces or splints. A brace that includes the wrist and thumb can allow the thumb tendons to rest and can be helpful for symptom relief.
NSAIDs. Medication such as ibuprofen and naproxen can relieve pain and swelling.
Lifestyle modifications. Changing how you hold your hands while playing a game or taking more frequent breaks can help prevent irritation of the thumb tendons.

Severe cases of gamer’s thumb may require surgery. A surgical release opens the tendon sheath, relieving pressure and allowing the tendons to glide freely.

“We live in a world of technology, so these conditions are becoming more common,” said Dr. Larsen. “There are effective ways to treat them, especially if diagnosed early in the disease process. It is also important to remember that taking breaks from typing, texting, and gaming is important for physical and mental health.”

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