If you often find yourself on your cellphone, you may find that you are suffering from adverse health effects such as Cellphone elbow as a result. You might feel like there is nothing you can do about this because you are forced to continue to use your cellphone for work or to keep in touch with friends and family members. However, it is important to have your condition treated because the symptoms of cellphone elbow can worsen.
The Symptoms
Holding a cellphone in place for a long period of time can lead to cubital tunnel syndrome, which is also referred to as cellphone elbow. This condition can lead to the following sensations for the forearm and hand:
- Numbness
- Burning
- Aching
- Tingling
If the condition worsens, there may eventually be weakness and fatigue of the hands. This can make it difficult to open jars and bottles. There might also be a clawing of the ring and small fingers. Patients may be unable to grasp objects.
Cellphone elbow is caused by the compression of the ulnar nerve. This can cause the nerve to elongate. All of this pressure can lead to a reduction of blood flow to the nerve.
Home Treatments
A simple solution is to switch your cellphone from one hand to the other in order to allow each elbow to have a break. If you experience these symptoms after waking up in the morning, the problem might be the result of how you are sleeping. Wearing an elbow pad or wrapping a towel around your elbow can prevent flexion while you are sleeping.
Receiving Professional Help
If you are experiencing the symptoms of cellphone elbow and you start using your cellphone less often or you switch your cellphone from one hand to another, but the symptoms persist, there may be another cause. Contact Dr. Shane Silver to schedule an appointment. There may be chiropractic treatments available or you may need to have the condition treated through surgery.
