Smartphone Overuse: How Repetitive Movements Can Harm Your Hand Health

Using smartphones excessively with repetitive movements can lead to pain and damage in the thumb, little finger, and wrist joint. Dr. Huynh Hoang Anh, a rehabilitation specialist at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, advised that positions like bending the wrist, using the little finger as a support, and gliding with the thumb while using smartphones can cause various bone and joint problems in the hands.

Tendons in the thumb are responsible for helping it bend or straighten. Repetitive actions like scrolling through social media or typing on a keyboard can cause fatigue and tendon damage, resulting in pain and stiffness. Pain in the little finger can occur when it is used as a support while holding the phone, leading to numbness, pain, stiffness, and clicking sounds in the finger joints.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is another common problem that can develop from holding a phone in a bent position for an extended period. This pressure on the median nerve in the wrist can result in numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. It can also reduce grip strength and wrist mobility. Elbow pain may also occur from bending the elbow at an angle greater than 90 degrees while using smartphones for prolonged periods of time.

In severe cases of bone and joint damage from excessive phone use surgical treatment may be necessary. Resting your fingers and limiting movement is key to preventing further damage along with over-the-counter pain medication. To prevent long-term pain and damage it is recommended to limit continuous phone use, use both hands when possible along with smaller buttons on phones or keyboards to reduce strain on your fingers and wrists. Additionally taking breaks regularly to avoid fatigue will also help prevent future injuries.

It’s important to remember that smartphone usage should be done mindfully to avoid any negative effects on our hand health.