What Is Texting Thumb?
By overusing smartphone, you’re making repetitive movements and putting your thumb under a lot of stress. Your thumb isn’t really designed for this.
A study found that heavy smartphone users tend to have mild pain and stiffness in their thumbs or wrists.
Texting thumb is not a clearly defined condition. But it may refer to either trigger thumb or de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
A condition where tendons around the base of your thumb are swollen and painful. It’s especially painful when you make a fist, turn your wrist, or grip something.
Symptoms:
• Pain or swelling near the base of your thumb
• A feeling of “sticking” in your thumb when you move it
• Difficulty moving your thumb and wrist when pinching or grasping
Diagnosis. Your doc may use the Finkelstein test to assess. You'll be asked to make a fist with your fingers closed over your thumb, then to bend your wrist toward your little finger.
• You’ll have pain on the thumb side of your wrist if you have de Quervain's tenosynovitis.
Treatment for Texting Thumb
If you have trigger thumb or de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, the goal of your treatment will be to reduce the inflammation and relieve pain.
Rest/ immobilisation is equally important. If you continue to use your thumb, the inflammation will continue. Ice can also help alleviating the pain. Place an ice pack on your wrist for 15 minutes every 4 to 6 hours.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or naproxen can help with the pain. Check with your doctor for dosage and frequency.
Also wearing a hand brace that supports your thumb and wrist. We recommend that you should wear a brace continuously for 4 to 6 weeks.
Also performing some stretching exercises will help with your pain. Consult a physical therapist or occupational therapist.
If these treatments aren’t working, your doctor may recommend a steroid injection.
If a second steroid injection doesn’t work, you may need surgery.
How to Avoid Getting Texting Thumb
Here are some ways to avoid getting text thumb:
• Improve your posture: Support your forearms when you use your smartphone.
• Don't use your thumb all the time: Hold your phone in one hand and use your index finger on the other hand to text or scroll.
• Keep your messages short: Use abbreviations and predictive text instead of typing every letter.
• Record a voice message or make a phone call instead of texting a message.
• Try not to text too fast.
• Set up alerts on your phone to keep track of your usage.
• If you feel any pain or discomfort, stop using your phone and rest your hands.
| Tags: | #Physiotherapist, #Rehabilitation, #Pain management, #Pain |
