Insights in Neurosurgery

Cervical Spine Symptoms Due to Smartphones Use at University

Objective: The use of smartphones has increased dramatically in the world. In Togo, users are estimated at nearly 7 million (89%) of the population in 2019. Globally, users are spending at least 4 hours per day on smartphones. Smartphones usage forces neck bending postures, causing musculoskeletal disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge and also adverse effects of bad postures on the cervical spine of smartphones users in young people.

Methods: This is a prospective analytic study realized on students (18-45 years old) from Lome and Kara universities over a period of 3 months (May 1 to July 30, 2021). They filled out a form directly or electronically through the social networks (WhatsApp) of the targeted universities. The main parameters assessed were: Age, duration of smartphone use, daily time of use, occurrence of cervical spinal symptoms.

Results: A total of 431 participants with average age 23.6 years were enrolled. Almost all (98.8%) had a smartphone since 3.6 years in average. Most of participants (55%) reported that their cervical postures were bad during smartphone using (66.8%). The main symptoms reported were neck pain (48,7%) and ervical radiculopathy (27,8%). The frequency of neck pain was correlated with the daily use time of smartphones. These disorders motived medical consultation in 18% (7% specialized). All the patients who consulted for neck pain were using smartphones more than 8 hours per day. Imaging found degenerative lesions in 23.7%.

Conclusion: The smartphones, although essential, are responsible of spinal degenerative pathologies caused by bad postures. The daily usage time is the main factor on which action should be taken to minimize the harmful effects on the spine; as adoption of correct positions seems difficult to be applied.

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