Beware of the Dangers of Thumb and Wrist Pain: How Repetitive Smartphone Use Can Cause Harm

Continuous use of smartphones with repetitive movements can lead to pain and damage in the thumb, little finger, and wrist joint. Dr. Huynh Hoang Anh from the Department of Rehabilitation at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City advises against bending the wrist, using the little finger as support, and gliding with the thumb while using smartphones as these positions can cause bone and joint problems in the hands.

The thumb is particularly affected by repetitive movements such as scrolling and texting, which can lead to fatigue and tendon damage. This can result in pain when bending or stretching the fingers, stiffness, and trigger finger – a condition where the tendon sheath becomes inflamed. Similarly, using the little finger as a support while holding the phone can strain the ligaments in the hand, causing numbness, pain, stiffness, and joint sounds when moving the fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome can also occur from bending at an angle of more than 90 degrees while holding a phone for extended periods leading to numbness, tingling, and pain in