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iPads and phones

Posted , 5 users are following.

kerri77889
kerri77889

Back when I first got my shoulder problem, like when it was just twingy and started getting progressively worse, the only thing I could put it down to was I spent a lot of time on my iPad. I would hold it in my left hand and use my right hand to type, also because it's in my lap that means my head was always tilted forward. The question I ask has any one else associated or considered the use of iPad or iPhone and your body posture and the fact that those muscles are permanently switched on when using and holding these items for long periods of time. Just wondering if anyone else had noticed this. When I mentioned to the person that did my ultra sound that I had wondered if holding my iPad sometimes for several hours had anything to do with my problem......her answer......well, that would certainly explain the huge increase in this condition. So by her comment I can only presume this is raring it's head far more than it used to??

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

  • linda37283
    linda37283 kerri77889

    Posted

    Hi Kerri - yes I have heard this aswell sad

    OMG!!!!! Your surgery is like in 3 sleeps time smile I'm so wishing you every luck in the world smile speedy speedy recovery my friend smile please let us all know on here how you get on smile stay in touch smile Hugs xx

    • kerri77889
      kerri77889 linda37283

      Posted

      Thanks heaps Linda......I've just been explaining to my husband how great it is having found this forum and knowing there are people out there even though you are all on the other side of the world to me that know exactly what my pain is like and the everyday difficulties we have with the simplest things we used to just do without thinking.  My op is on Friday and I will most definately keep you all in the loop of my progress, in fact you guys will be the ones I will be thinking of because of all the support I have gotten from you all. Hugs and kisses right back at you 😘❌❌❌❌
    • linda37283
      linda37283 kerri77889

      Posted

      Yes and just think of the loverly sleep you will get under anaesthetic - BLISS smile and your road to recovery starts there smile

      Good good yes keep us in the loop smile 

      Hugs and kisses back smile xxxx

  • linda37283
    linda37283 kerri77889

    Posted

    Oh and if this is the reason then physio and GP's are going to see a massive increase in FS and by younger people - not just us ladies over 40!
    • kerri77889
      kerri77889 linda37283

      Posted

      Absolutely........it has been a question I have asked myself many times......

      did my holding onto my iPad and or phone for hours on end have anything to do with my shoulder problem????

  • Debbie1212
    Debbie1212 kerri77889

    Posted

    Oooh yes Kerri, I had an ipad in November!   But im on a computer all day long at work, and im right handed and using the mouse i move my arm/shoulder/hand constantly.  But ipad could certainly not help.  My other thoughts were that i was taking part in the 'planking' challenge with friends which is a lot of pressure on your shoulders.  I know i was all right when i got married on 5 December.  I also painted bathroom ceiling over Xmas.  And the first i remember is that end of Dec/early Jan i noticed my shoulder was sore - so it could be one of 3 !

    Good luck for surgery Linda, look forward to hearing how it all went.

    x

  • themagicpanda
    themagicpanda kerri77889

    Posted

    Hi Ladies, this is my reply to a very similar thread about ipads/tablet devices a number of weeks ago.....' Hi everyone, yes using an ipad or similar certainly can cause frozen shoulder. I can confirm that. I had suffered for some months from odd pain and slight restriction and eventually visited doc who recommended physio, 7 weeks of weekly sessions did not help other than temp relief for a few hours after and the condition worsened, pain changed and the freeze took place. GP on that first visit had said not frozen as too much mobility hence the referral to physio which luckily insurance covered. Revisit t GP after being off work for a week resulted in referral to Orthopaedic surgeon for investigation, that consultation told me even before x-ray that I did indeed have frozen shoulder and intense nerve pain ?trapped nerves diagnosis too far gone for injections and now awaiting surgery in a few weeks for capsular release. I have been off work now5 weeks and likely to be 5 more, if there is one thing I can advise is DON'T take no for an answer, my physio told me within 10 mins what caused the problem and despite intense treatment even she thought it might end up freezing, the pain and discomfort now is debilitating. The physio says the are seeing huge increase in this nowadays, look after yourself, At 46 I feel 96!! 

    An update now having had capsular release surgery with minor manipulation 11 days ago is that so far so good, it's been a success. I don't have full range of movement yet but 'that' pain has gone! I never thought it would and from yesterday I was driving, only a short distance but the freedom after 10 weeks of not is wonderful. Unfortunately, quite quickly I have noticed my bad habits re phone/tablet coming back, so it's something I am doing to have to address. They physio on my first visit Nov/Dec said they are seeing a huge increase in this all age groups, if I remember right the 'forece' on your neck looing down as been calculated as several stone in weight on your neck, so it's considerable. I've been warning everyone with kindles etc to beware.  Tomorrow I will have been off work for 9 weeks with this condition but return to work on Monday, part time for the first week.  Physio is intense but necessary and the tiredness is different.  I couldn't have done without this group and may not have posted on here a lot but spent many a night, feeling so alone in my pain that my husband and no one else understood I honestly thought I was going mad and would never get better. Kerri, good luck with your surgery! 

    • kerri77889
      kerri77889 themagicpanda

      Posted

      Thanks Hun....and I am over the moon for you that you are finally on the road to recovery 😀. 

      What part of England are you in????

      Your whole process sure seems to of moved a whole lot faster than some of the others on this forum. I'm in Australia, so I can't compare, but lots of people in the UK seem to be waiting and waiting and waiting for appointments, diagnosis, pain relief and help.

      i wish you all the best going back to work.....BUT definately take it easy, I bet you will be exhausted. 

      I have bought myself.....it's like a little lap beanbag to sit my iPad on when I'm using it so im not actually holding on to the iPad......it's called "The Bookseat" and I bought it at the chemist.

      Good luck and keep in touch with us all so we know how you are going back in the world of no pain.....lucky bugger....lol 😘❌❌❌

    • linda37283
      linda37283 themagicpanda

      Posted

      Am so pleased everything is going well for you smile I have followed your messages & wondered how you got on! 

      Surgery is deffo the way forward smile I wish you continued speedy healing smile x

    • themagicpanda
      themagicpanda linda37283

      Posted

      Thanks Kerri and Linda, how are you both today?  Yes surgery does seem to be the only thing that brings release from the pain, I cannot imagine going on waiting for it to clear itself, seriously I felt so low at times I would have worried for my mental health with exhaustion and I understand if anyone is feeling similar, I have had some pretty black days.  It's terrible that there is so little understood about the pain felt by patients and as frozen shoulder is so common, I found some people unsympathetic that I needed to be off work as their aunties sister had it and she was ok kind of thing.  To be honest as good as my husband was I think he was beginning to get 'bored' of the whole thing and my inability as you can't 'see' anything. I just said to my him last night I wouldn't wish it on anyone, he said, what about 'x' , a very nasty person in my life and I said not even 'x' - he couldn't believe it! Kerri, I'm in Scotland and I must explain I have been VERY lucky in that my whole op has been covered by insurance we have through my husbands work. He's only a storeman, nothing high flying but it's been a godsend. The ironic thing is I work in the NHS so all that time off work would have been longer had I had to wait.  However if anyone reading this would find it useful, I have seen a consultant surgeon once and a had an xray to determine no arthiritis or tear before confirming what he already said, FZ.  That appt cost £200, not rushed and very comprehensive. Then I had a 5 week wait for surgery, (he is an NHS surgeon who works private 1 day a week and in our area the private hospital is so busy with private and NHS work the wait was longer than it would be in some areas) - the op was £681, that was a BMI hospital. I know it's not possible for everyone but I thought the figures might be useful for others, I have one other out patient review appt 6 weeks post op and that is covered also in the cost of the op. All physio has been covered by insurance but there was advice covered in the hospital by a physio post op. Otherwise, sessions at Nuffield would cost £34 each, which is less than some other private ones locally and I found I covered a lot in the 30 min appts.  I have tailed off those too as it's self managing now and physio is up to me. I had a minor complication with the nerve block in surgery which resulted in an overnight stay but 99% of patients are discharged the same day, I went in for midday and normally would have got out at 8pm. I'm happy to answer any questions about that but think there's been some great advice on here! I must admit I am anxious about going back to work, I know I'll be tired but I have been such a recluse I feel I might be overwelmed. I work with a lot of retired volunteers and so many of them kept in touch with me, offered to take me out for coffee etc it was nice but I really wasn't up for socialising and the thought of being up, dressed and 'decent' was horrendous so apart from trying a daily walk I have stayed in the house, the longer period was 11 days not out of the house at all. In fact today is my first trip out,I'm going out for the day with my sister and mum, sister is driving as I feel I'm still not up to driving daily.  Kerri, your little bean bag sounds perfect and for what its worth the physio had always recommended having your hand / eye co-ordination at a safe level for reading / working on technology - if you've even done a work station assessment for a desk based PC you'll know the type of thing, to reduce the movement of your neck up and down. These tiny movements are risky.  Right ladies, have a good day both of you. A pain free and happy one if possible. Much love. 
    • kerri77889
      kerri77889 themagicpanda

      Posted

      Your journey sounds like it's been not too bad 😀, hope I'm lucky enough to be able to have a similar journey.

      Wow what part of Scotland are you in. I've been there only twice, both times about 2 weeks each......just gorgeous. Both times we spent quite a bit of time in the Highlands.....we stayed the first time in Tyndrum with a Highland Heritage Coach Tour company.....great value for money. The second time we stayed at Dalmally with the same company, we also stayed in Edinburgh, Glasgow.....visited Falkirk Wheel, Alnwick Castle, and heaps heaps more, loved every minute, we also have friends in West Lothian.

      Have you ever been to Australia?

      😀❌❌

    • linda37283
      linda37283 themagicpanda

      Posted

      Morning magicpanda and all my fellow FS suffers smile

      I must admit that once I had seen my surgeon on the NHS I had my op 3 weeks later but was in private hosp which was fab smile 

      I have recently retired from working in the NHS - & I gotta say they would have hounded me into going back to work so in some ways its a good job I had retired! They are not the most sympathetic of organisations to work for - and I'm sorry if this comment has upset anyone sad 

      So very pleased you are well on the road to recovery smile I really don't think people who have had a true FS just 'get' on with it - its such a very painful condition - they may have had other problems with their shoulders but certainly not a FS ............

      You take care and go easy with work! Enjoy your day out smile I think we all know the loneliness of FS..........Big hugs xxx

    • kerri77889
      kerri77889 linda37283

      Posted

      Yip yip.....Woo Hoo......

      Can't wait......actually I'm sitting here sewing press studs on extra big tshirts that I have cut the shoulder open on 😊

  • alison44235
    alison44235 kerri77889

    Posted

    So you were offered an ultrasound. How soon into your condition was it offered to you?
    • linda37283
      linda37283 alison44235

      Posted

      Hi Alison - I was only offered Ultra sound AFTER my consultation with triage.........which was in January - been back and forward to GP since he diagnosed me in Sept (it started back in July) Sonographer said she was limited to what she could actually see because I couldn't move my shoulder about in different angles to examine the whole of my shoulder.............had my surgery in Feb 
    • alison44235
      alison44235 linda37283

      Posted

      Does that mean you were offered Ultra sound straight after your F.S, Happened. I had my injury 3 months ago. No offer of an ultrasound even after 3 weeks. I just need them to find out what is going on inside before I have any more treatment. I am going to ask at my next orthopaedic appointment which I have brought forward 2 months. appointment is next Tusday.
    • linda37283
      linda37283 alison44235

      Posted

      Hi Alison - no I first went to GP in sept 2014 after suffering pains in my upper arm that kept me awake at night from the July! Went to triage in Nov, then it wasn't until jan 2015 I was offered Ultra Sound sad Rubbish really sad

      Good I'm glad you've bought your app forward smile you should not have to suffer sad

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