Britons spend an average of three hours each day glued to their phones – swiping, scrolling and texting.
Now experts warn the habit may be fuelling a painful nerve condition that can leave sufferers struggling to grip objects, carry out basic daily tasks or even sleep.
More than 340,000 people in the UK are thought to have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which occurs when tissue inside the wrist swells and compresses a major nerve.
The condition can cause debilitating symptoms including pain, pins and needles, weakness, numbness and difficulty gripping.
Research suggests cases are rising, with some studies indicating rates may have climbed by as much as 25 per cent over the past two decades.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when tissue inside the wrist swells and compresses a major nerve, causing pain, pins and needles and numbness
And experts increasingly believe smartphones and tablets may be partly to blame.
Professor Adam Taylor, an anatomy expert at Lancaster University, says: ‘Carpal tunnel is incredibly common, and it used to be that someone’s occupation was the key trigger, but we know that mobile phones and devices may be a key trigger for many people.
‘This is because the way we hold our phones can put an unnatural strain on the tendons in our wrist. We believe that over four hours of phone use a day puts people at risk.’
Last week GP and Mail on Sunday columnist Dr Ellie Cannon said the condition was among the most common she sees in clinic, and questioned ‘whether our ever-increasing obsession with tapping away on our phones could be, in part, to blame’.
In response, dozens of readers got in touch suggesting their symptoms began after long periods using phones or tablets.
Christine Poles, 86, from Newport, said: ‘It started when I became addicted to a game on my iPad and phone. While playing I distinctly felt a snap and that was that. It was too painful to play any more and I have suffered ever since.’
Another woman blamed her ‘addiction’ to the puzzle game Candy Crush.
A recent review of studies published in March supported the theory. Researchers analysed data from 42 studies involving more than 67,000 people and found increased mobile phone use was linked to a greater likelihood of developing CTS. One study included in the review found people who regularly used their phones for texting were four times more likely to develop CTS, while using a phone with both hands was linked to a sevenfold increase in risk.
‘This does not mean developing carpal tunnel is inevitable with excessive phone use. Small changes, such as ensuring you hold the phone straight rather than bending the wrist, can relieve pressure,’ says Professor Taylor. But phone use is far from the only risk factor – others include obesity, diabetes and previous wrist injuries, as well as occupation.
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CTS symptoms typically develop between the ages of 40 and 65, with women three times more likely to be diagnosed than men.
‘Women have smaller carpal tunnel passages in the wrist, which means they are more prone to the syndrome. But also the connective tissue is prone to swelling during menstruation, which increases risk,’ adds Professor Taylor.
‘We know that a patient’s occupation is also an important factor, whether that is manual labour, which means the wrist is repeatedly put under pressure, or whether it is a desk job where typing with poor posture is common.’
Simple exercises done at home can ease symptoms. Research by the University of Oxford found that so-called ‘gliding’ exercises prevented surgery in one in five patients.
‘The sooner a patient starts these exercises after symptoms develop the better,’ says Professor Annina Schmid, a carpal tunnel and pain expert at the University of Oxford. ‘We have really strong evidence now that physiotherapy can reduce pain and prevent surgery in cases of mild to moderate carpal tunnel.’
Professor Schmid also recommends wearing a wrist splint.
She adds: ‘Research shows the best time to wear it is at night. There is no additional benefit from wearing it all the time – in fact we actually want people to be using their hand as normal.
‘It does not have to be expensive – one from a pharmacy will be fine – but make sure it covers the thumb and has metal support at the back.’
But experts warn people should seek medical help if symptoms persist despite exercises, disturb sleep, or interfere with daily life.
Left untreated, the condition can lead to permanent nerve damage and wasting of the muscles in the hand through lack of use. Patients with more severe CTS are often offered steroid injections to relieve inflammation and pain, while some may require surgery.
Professor Schmid says: ‘As well as being a more severe form of carpal tunnel, the typical symptoms such as tingling or loss of feeling can also be a sign of serious health conditions such as diabetic neuropathy or spinal issues. So if the pain is preventing day-to-day life or persists for six weeks, you should see a GP.’
