The use of consumer electronics has caused a 30-percent rise in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) cases among youths over the past decade. Alpha Specialist Centre consultant hand and microsurgeon Dr Terence Tay has said that the ubiquity of smartphone use – especially for social media and instant messaging – contributed to the alarming increase in repetitive stress injuries.
“This is especially when they use their thumbs on the touch screens and send over 200 messages daily,” Dr Tay said.
“The repetitive action and the awkward positioning increase the pressure at the base of the thumb, making them more prone to CTS.”
CTS is a common condition where the sufferer experiences a tingling sensation, numbness or pain in the hands or fingers. It is caused by the compression of the nerves in the wrist which holds the tendons that move a person’s hands. This usually happens due to repetitive motion, and is common with both office workers and those who perform manual labour.
Constant texting and the use of smartphones also contributes to developing CTS. A situation that has seen it become more common among those aged between 20 and 35 years old. It is also more prevalent among women than men due to the size differences in the hands.
Those who send long hours working with computers are similarly more prone to developing CTS. The extended time spent typing contributes to the condition, but it is by no means exclusive to office workers.
[Source: The Malay Mail Online]