Musculoskeletal Disorders Due to Hand-Held Devices: A Major Problem at Hand

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors and clinical features of upper extremity MSDs in hand-held device users. A retrospective report analysis was conducted on 59 subjects (47 males and 12 females) between the age of 5 to 56 (Median – 34) years, who were diagnosed to have a MSD affecting the upper extremities. Medical records of the subjects from a tertiary level rehabilitation centre in India from 2005-2012 were analyzed. All the subjects reported pain in their upper extremities following extensive usage of hand held devices and were examined and diagnosed to have MSD by an experienced Orthopaedic Physician. After the assessment and diagnosis, all the patients underwent rehabilitation using a sequenced protocol. All the subjects reported pain in the thumb and forearm with associated burning, numbness and tingling around the thenar aspect of the hand, and stiffness of wrist and hand. 34 subjects had symptoms on the right side, 12 on left side and 13 had bilateral symptoms. Correlation was found between hand dominance and the occurrence of upper extremity MSDs. All the subjects were diagnosed to have tendinosis of Extensor Pollicis Longus and Myofascial Pain Syndrome affecting the 1st interossei, thenar group of muscles and Extensor Digitorum Communis. Co-morbidities were Myofascial Pain Syndrome of the neck and upper back and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. 23 of the subjects were senior executives. All the subjects recovered completely following the rehabilitation. Hand-held devices, that promotes the predominant usage of thumb while texting are associated with a higher prevalence of MSDs and thereby the users are advised to select phones that are designed to permit typing with all the fingers. Treatment using a sequenced protocol showed significant level of improvement in this condition