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    Can Too Much Texting Cause Injury?

    Teenage girl texting

    Every now and then a new technology leads to a new repetitive and physically stressful movement, and that can lead to a new trend in injuries that involve our muscles, tendons and bones.

    (Think computers and carpal tunnel syndrome.)

    Texting is a popular activity that may contribute to overuse injuries.

    The risk of injury when ‘texting’

    It’s not so much texting itself but the use of the tiny keyboards on mobile phones that carries the potential risk.

    The most common technique of text messaging involves grabbing the phone with both hands and using the thumbs to strike the keys of the keypad. In that position, the thumb is at risk of injury from overuse.

    The more frequent the use, the higher the risk of injury.

    Research and Studies

    As of Jan. 2010, no studies on the frequency of injuries related to text messaging have been published, but the repetitive stresses from text messaging may put the user at risk of certain injuries.

    With the popularity of texting-intensive services like Twitter on the rise, overuse injuries may become more common.

    Injuries and symptoms

    Flexor tendonitis

    The Flexor tendons, which bend our fingers, can become inflamed from overuse.

    Symptom(s)

    • a deep ache along the palm and surface of the thumb

    Overuse of the thumb muscles

    Regular overuse of the thumb muscles could lead to painful muscle fatigue.

    Symptom(s)

    • a deep ache in the palm at the base of thumb

    Carpal tunnel syndrome

    Several tendons and a nerve run through a small opening in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. If one or more tendons swell from overuse, the pressure against the nerve can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

    Symptom(s)

    • numbness or tingling in the hand
    • pain in the wrist that spreads up or down the arm

    Treatment and prevention

    Moderate and occasional text messaging are unlikely to cause significant injury, but if pain or discomfort does occur:

    1. Take a break from the cell phone. If the pain persists, talk to your physician.
    2. Save long text messages for typing an e-mail on a standard keyboard, or use the phone to talk instead of text.

    Benjamin Busfield M.D. is a board certified Orthopedic Surgeon and sports medicine specialist.

    Photo attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/_lovenothing/ / CC BY 2.0

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    Tags » #texting #injury #hospital
    • 6 September 2010
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  • About sutter delta medical center

    The Care you Need Close to Home! First Rate Physicians, cutting-edge technology, ...CARE with a personal touch.

    Sutter Delta Medical Center offers an array of inpatient and outpatient services to meet the needs of our East Contra Costa Community.

    • 24-Hour Level II Emergency Care
    • Medical/Surgical Services including Post-Anesthesia Care
    • ICU/CCU/OPCU
    • State-of-the-art Family Birthing and Women’s Health Center
    Specialty Care Services include:
    • Pain Management Lab
    • Nuclear Medicine
    • Rehabilitation Medicine (PT,OT, ST)
    • Ambulatory Care Unit - Operative/Minimally Invasive procedures
    • Cardiac Cath and GI/Endoscopy Lab
    • Urology
    • Pediatrics
    • Oncology
    • Neurology
    • Orthopedics –Sports Medicine
    • Obstetrical/Gynecology Services

    Advanced Imaging Services:
    • CT Scanning
    • MRI
    • Digital Mammography
    • Diagnostic Imagining
    • Stereotactic

    Sutter Delta Medical Center
    3901 Lone Tree Way, Antioch CA 94509
    (925) 779-7200

    http://www.sutterdelta.org
    http://yourhealth.sutterdelta.net/

    Serving the East Contra Costa communities of Antioch, Brentwood,Oakley, Discovery Bay, Pittsburg and Knightsen.

    Driving Directions to Sutter Delta Medical Center click here:http://sutterdelta.com/about/maps/sdmc.pdf

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