What to know about cell phone elbow

If your fingers tingle after long phone calls or your elbow aches from scrolling, you might have cell phone elbow, or cubital tunnel syndrome.

What is cell phone elbow?

It’s a common overuse condition, like selfie elbow, that happens when you bend your elbow for too long and irritate the ulnar nerve inside.

“Your ulnar nerve travels through a tight space on the inside, referred to as medial, portion of your elbow,” explains Dr. Hui Zhang, an orthopedic surgeon at Aurora Health Care. “When your elbow stays bent, that space gets even smaller. The nerve can become compressed, which leads to tingling, numbness or weakness that radiates down to your ring and pinky fingers.”

You may also notice:

• A weak grip or difficulty holding objects
• Aching along your elbow or forearm
• Symptoms that come and go, especially after long phone use

How to treat cell phone elbow

Dr. Zhang notes that early symptoms often improve with simple changes, such as taking a break from your phone. “Many people feel better once they give their elbow a rest. Other options include using hands-free devices for phone calls, such as earphones or headsets, especially if you spend a lot of time on the phone for work.”

Other ways to reduce discomfort include:

• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers
• Applying ice
• Switching hands during calls
• Stretching your arms during longer tasks
• Avoiding leaning on your elbow

When to seek help for cell phone elbow

If these steps don’t help or your symptoms last, it’s a good idea to connect with a health care provider.

“A hand and elbow orthopedic specialist can help rule out other causes and offer simple stretching exercises to help your elbow recover,” Dr. Zhang adds. “If nonsurgical treatment options do not alleviate symptoms, surgical treatment may be a consideration.”

Find an orthopedic specialist near you: Illinois | Wisconsin