Hand Surgeon at Albert Einstein Medical Center Gives
Health Tips for Heavy Users of Lightweight Electronics
Philadelphia, PA, March 10, 2006– Picking up your cell phone or holding your Palm Pilot doesn’t exactly require heavy lifting. So why should users of portable,
hand-held electronics be concerned about avoiding hand and arm injuries?
“People who spend hours a day almost every day on their cell phones or BlackBerries may find themselves using prolonged grips,
awkward wrist and elbow positions and repetitive motions,” says James S. Raphael, MD, Director, Hand Surgery, Department of
Orthopaedic Surgery, Albert Einstein Medical Center. “These positions and motions can aggravate or contribute to hand, wrist
and arm conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome and tendonitis,” says Dr. Raphael.
A regionally recognized specialist in the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other hand, wrist and arm conditions, Dr.
Raphael has seen an increase in patients with injuries exacerbated by the heavy use of tiny keyboards found on cell phones,
BlackBerries, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other hand-held electronics. With 180 million Americans using cell phones,
PDAs and other hand-held devices, more of us could suffer hand and arm ailments unless we learn how to take some simple preventive
measures:
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Use a neutral grip, keeping the wrist straight, not bent, when holding the device.
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Take a break every hour – stretch your arms, hands and fingers (to stretch your fingers, simply spread them open, then close
them). Or, switch to another activity or change hands.
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Place pillows in your lap and rest your arms on them to support your arms, keep your head more upright and decrease neck strain.
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Use a headset for your cell phone.
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Watch for signs of overuse – discomfort, throbbing, numbness or stiffness in the arms, hands or fingers – and change your
routine if these occur.
“Over time, injuries such as nerve damage and weakness can become permanent,” says Dr. Raphael. “Following these simple guidelines
will help you stay comfortable and healthy while using hand-held electronics.”
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, a member of the Jefferson Health System, provides healthcare services through Albert Einstein
Medical Center, Germantown Community Health Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), Einstein at Elkins Park, MossRehab,
Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), Belmont Behavioral Health and a number of outpatient and satellite locations. Einstein
also operates a primary care network, Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare. For more information, visit
www.einstein.edu or call
1-800-EINSTEIN.
CONTACT: Priscilla Koutsouradis
Communications Manager
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
215-456-3922
koutsoup@einstein.edu
Publish date: March 10, 2006
