TITLE:
Cervical Spine Symptoms due to Smartphone Use at University
AUTHORS:
Essossinam Kpelao, Thierry Alihonou, Ab El Kader Moumouni, Agbéko K. Doleagbenou, Messan H. Ahanogbe, Komi Egu, Yawovi Michel Adjagbebou, Kossi K. Segbedji, Solim Bakonde, Dzidoula Lawson, Abdoulaye Hima-Maiga, Anthony Beketi
KEYWORDS:
Smartphones, Postures, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Togo
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery,
Vol.16 No.1,
December
31,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: 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. Smartphone 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 smartphone users in young people. Materials and methods: This is a prospective analytic study realized on students (18 - 45 years old) from Lomé 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. To be included participants must have used smartphone at least 6 months ago. The main parameters self-reported were age, duration of smartphone use, daily time of use, and occurrence of cervical spinal symptoms. We used Pearson’s coefficient (r) for correlations. Results: A total of 431 participants with an average age 23.6 years were enrolled. Almost all (98.8%) had a smartphone for an average of 3.6 years. Most of participants (55%) reported that their cervical postures were bad during smartphone use (66.8%). The main symptoms reported were neck pain (48.7%) and cervical radiculopathy (27.8%). The frequency of neck pain was correlated with the daily use time of smartphones. These disorders motivated medical consultation in 18% (7% specialized). All the patients who consulted for neck pain were using smartphones for more than 8 hours per day. Imaging found degenerative lesions in 23.7%. Conclusion: The smartphones, although essential, are responsible for 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 the adoption of correct positions seems difficult to apply.