Anybody have cell phone elbow? Thumb?

[Dzone]

TweetHad to stop typing so much with my thumbs. Was working off a crackberry for 5-8 hours a day. Ignored the pain and numbness and figured it would go away. My left hand was gettin numb. it isnt worth it. feels better now but I could have fuked myself up. check out the part about claw hand. Just think if in 10 years we're all walking around with claw hand from using cell phones? OMG

Doctors Identify ‘Cell Phone Elbow’ Syndrome
Posted on: Tuesday, 2 June 2009, 13:20 CDT

Researchers have reported a new modern-day illness that may affect people who habitually talk on their cell phones for long periods of time.

Commonly known as “cell phone elbow”, cubital tunnel syndrome is characterized by numbness, tingling and pain in the forearm and hand. The symptoms come from bending the elbow for an extended period of time while holding a cell phone.

This can result in pressure on the ulnar nerve, which runs underneath the bump on the inside of the elbow.

The prolonged bending of the elbow while holding a cell phone shuts down blood flow to the nerve, which causes uncomfortable symptoms that are similar to hitting the “funny bone,” said Dr. Peter J. Evans, director of the Cleveland Clinic's Hand and Upper Extremity Center.

"Repetitive, sustained stretching of the nerve is like stepping on a garden hose," said Evans.

"With the hose, you're blocking the flow of water. With the elbow, you're blocking the blood flow to the nerve, which causes it to misfire and short circuit."

Symptoms begin with numbness and tingling in the hand, but can develop into a loss of muscle strength, coordination and mobility. In extreme cases, the pinky and ring fingers can become clawed, Evans and his colleagues reported in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine.

Scientists are unable to estimate how many people suffer from cell phone elbow, but it is less common than carpal tunnel syndrome, which involves the wrist.

"Cubital tunnel is the second most common compression syndrome we see," said Heather Turkopp, an occupational therapist and certified hand specialist at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich.

Evans and colleagues found that women are more prone to the effects of cubital tunnel syndrome because they may have hormonal changes that make them more susceptible.

There are other causes for the disorder than talking on the cell phone, including sleeping with the elbows bent and tucked up into the chest, sitting at a desk with the elbows flexed at an angle greater than 90 degrees and driving with your elbow propped on the window for extended periods, said Evans.

---

On the Net:

University Of Virginia Health System - Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine

[horsepwr]

TweetI get pumps where I can't hold my phone to my ear, and have to keep switching arms.

[horsepwr]

Tweet...can I sue for that,lol...jk, of course.

[horsepwr]

TweetI just read the article. I actually do have that exact thing. I think it happens in my right elbow, and runs down my arm. It feels like a nerve is rolling over, or in the elbow joint, and getting pinched while the elbow is bent.

[daved150]

Tweetmy hands start to tingle after a bit. i just keep switching.

[skinnyman]

Tweeti can not stand talking on the phone anyway. my conversations are short and to the point.

[FUZO]

TweetI dont even know how to text on a phone

[Dzone]

TweetYa, I have the exact same thing as in that article myself. My freakin elbows on the inside hurt and left hand goes numb. I have almost stop using the blackberry Im using my laptop, I dont really need the crackberry except for textin.
The laptop kicks its ass and is a bit easier on the elbows I probaBLY text 20 times a day. Not too much.

Thats funny Fuzo. I rmember when I didnt know anything about texting. Sometimes I wish Ida kept it that way. Oh well. Once you go there , theres no t urning back..lol

[dixiechick]

TweetI don't text. I hate trying to write out a message. I can leave a VM much easier. I did get one of those stupid ear bugs (bluetooth thingy). It just easier than having to hold on to the phone.