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Jan 17, 2006 11:57 pm US/Eastern
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Health: Cell Phone Elbow
by Stephanie Stahl
NEW YORK (CBS 3) ―
First there was tennis elbow, now there is something called "cell phone elbow" or pain from spending too much time on the phone.
Medical Reporter Stephanie Stahl reports some people are starting to pay a price for staying so connected.
Real estate executive Marni Bagnola used her cell phone several hours each day. She ignored the ache in her forearm until the pain was unbearable.
"My left arm started getting horrible pains, my hands started going almost numb, these fingers started throbbing," said Bagnola.
She had what doctor's have dubbed "cell phone elbow." Doctors said constant bending of her arm pinched a nerve in the elbow.
"I'm seeing an increased incidence of people who are coming into the office with this problem, especially younger people," said orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Fernandez of Rush University Medical Center.
For some, the nerve damage and weakness can be permanent over time.
"They'll have difficulty writing, and even doing simple tasks such as buttoning a shirt or tying a shoe," said Dr. Fernandez.
Less common, but just as troublesome is the so-called "blackberry thumb." It is a repetitive stress injury from typing on those tiny keyboards.
"You'll see complain at the wrist or also at the base of the thumb," said Margaret Tull.
Tull is a physical therapist and hand specialist with Moss Rehab. in Philadelphia. She said sending messages on cell phones and blackberries can aggravate conditions like arthritis.
"This increased use is now going to increase or exacerbate their pain," said Tull.
The solution for blackberry thumb? Stretching your hands and taking breaks
Rest is considered the best treatment for cell phone overuse.
Elbow pads can be used to ease pressure and sleeping splints will help to keep the arm straight at night. Other solutions to ease the pain are to use a headset or simply switch arms.
"Something as simple as that can really make a huge difference in this condition," said Dr. Fernandez.
Experts said it is important to pay attention to any signs of cell phone elbow. Symptoms include pain running down the arm or tingling and numbness in the ring finger and pinky.
Nerve damage can be severe enough to require surgery.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)