Personal digital assistant devices create joint strain

AORN Journal, Oct, 2006

The American PhysicaL Therapy Association (APTA) has identified a new malady created by extensive use of personal digital assistants (PDAs), according to an Aug 29, 2006, news release from the APTA. This repetitive-stress injury can result from extensive use of the thumbs to type on the small keyboards that accompany some of these devices. Symptoms include pain or numbness in the thumbs and joints of the hands and may be caused by the aggravation of an underlying arthritic condition.

Patients who suffer from this type of injury are encouraged to apply ice to the affected area, perform hand stretches, use a properly fitted thumb splint, and seek professional treatment, which may include a cortisone injection or surgery. To avoid or minimize these types of injuries, physical therapists have recommended that PDA users should

* take frequent breaks from typing on the PDA;

* write fewer and shorter messages;

* use other fingers to type; and

* when possible, use lap support so that the wrists are in a more upright position.

Additional physical exercises can be performed to alleviate this type of injury, including

* tapping each finger with thumbs of the same hand, repeating five times;

* alternating the tapping of the palm and back of each hand against the thigh as quickly as possible, repeating 20 times;

* spreading the fingers of each hand as far apart as possible, holding for 10 seconds, repeating eight times;

* folding the hands together, turning the palms away from the body, extending the arms forward, holding for 10 seconds, repeating eight times; and

* folding the hands together, turning the palms away from the body, extending the arms overhead, holding for 10 seconds, repeating eight times.

"Blackberry Thumb" Causing Digital Distress In and Out of the Workplace (news release, Alexandria, Va: American Physical Therapy Association, Aug 29, 2006) http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Template= /CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=33163 (accessed 11 Sept 2006).