Article-5
Texting Thumb
Dr. Janvi D. Shah
(B.P.T., YFT)
Using a smartphone or tablet requires hand motions that put stress on several small muscles, tendons, and nerves in our fingers and wrists. These repetitions can lead to inflammation, pain, and even surgery.
What is Texting Thumb ?
Texting thumb is a tendon issue.
Basically, the tendon withinside the thumb will become infected because it rubs time and again in opposition to the tunnel surrounding it.
This irritation quickly ends in thumb ache across the knuckle. Patients may additionally enjoy a clicking sensation while bending their thumb.
Texting thumb can be extra related to smaller phones. The large smartphones and drugs commonly motive ache withinside the pinky hands and the wrists.
Causes of texting thumb:
- Repetitive hand movements cause inflammation in the tendons of the thumb.
- These inflamed tendons then rub against the narrow tunnel in which they sit, causing thumb pain.
Treatment of Texting thumb:
A repetitive stress injury like texting thumb can typically be treated conservatively by:
- Limiting texting for a while
- Using audio commands
- Giving your thumb a rest
- Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Thumb brace
- Physiotherapy
Home exercise:
Exercise 1:
- Place an elastic band around your fingers and thumb.
- Gently move your thumb against the band.
- Repeat 10 times.
Exercise 2:
- Using gentle pressure, use your index finger on your other hand to stretch your thumb back. Hold for 5 seconds.
- If untreated, the synovial sheaths will continue to thicken and degenerate. This can result in permanent damage and loss of grip strength and chronic pain.”