[A Rare Cause for Median Nerve Irritation]

A lesion of the median nerve due to nerve compression comparable to carpal tunnel syndrome is very common, with an incidence of 3.3 to 3.45 cases per 1000 inhabitants and year. In the present case series, we report compressions of the -median nerve due to wearing a smartwatch, which to our knowledge has not been previously reported in the literature. We -describe five patients with typical carpal tunnel symptoms and pathological sensory neurography who had been wearing a smartwatch more than 24 hours/day for several weeks to detect atrial fibrillation, and whose symptoms and electrophysiology improved after they stopped wearing it. Smartwatches can be an interesting additional gadget for diagnosing diseases such as cardiac arrhythmias. However, the tight wearing that is necessary can possibly also compress the median nerve and lead to symptoms such as the carpal tunnel syndrome. According to the manufacturer, it is important to choose the right strap size when buying and only leave the watch very tight when you need the sensors (but without feeling uncomfortable) and otherwise to tie the strap loosely, to take it off or alternate the wrist in order to avoid pain and injury.