Ask the Doctor: ‘I have an indentation in my pinkie finger where I rest my phone, could this cause repetitive strain injuries?’

“I have recently noticed a little indentation in my pinkie finger where I rest it while texting and it has got me wondering. Will holding/texting on and using my phone so often cause me long-term problems with the joints in my hand/fingers/thumb? Should I be changing how I hold my phone regularly? You hear of repetitive strain injuries and I wonder if phone use is going to cause these kinds of injuries?”

Answer from Dr Catherine Hughes, Consultant Rheumatologist, Beacon Hospital

Over the past 20 years the use of handheld mobile phones for texting and internet browsing has increased exponentially, so much so that I doubt many of us could imagine living without one.

These are valid questions regarding phone usage as It is true that we can develop repetitive strain injuries over time.

Research has shown an association between the usage of smartphones and the development of pain in the hands, wrists and neck. The added stress on a person’s hands (in particular the thumb joints) can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal disorders including osteoarthritis and inflammation of tendons.

This bump observed on the fifth finger is often described as ‘smartphone pinky’ and is directly associated with resting the smartphone on this area.

Other possible injuries include pain at the base of the thumb ‘texting thumb’, ‘tech neck’, and nerve injuries including carpal tunnel syndrome which can present as pins and needles in the fingers.

Equally the incidence of repetitive strain injuries has increased in recent years with the evolution of hybrid work since the start of the pandemic, leading to an increase in neck pain, and nerve entrapment injuries at the forearm.

There are certain things that you can do to minimise your risk and alleviate any pain:

• Try and place the phone on a flat surface.
• Try giving yourself phone free breaks in the day.
• Instead of texting, give your hands a break. Use the voice record option which converts voice into text or send voice notes instead. Go ‘old school’ and call friends or family instead.
• Stretch out your hands regularly to lengthen the muscles. Studies have found that the use of smart phones leads to maintaining the hand in a fixed position for a prolonged time, resulting in increased loads on tendons, muscles and joints.
• If you experience associated pain, try using a hot or cold pack on the area, and simple analgesia like paracetamol or an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen.
• Sometimes a simple splint can help take the pressure off the joints.

If your symptoms persist or you experience numbness, tingling or stiffness then you should seek medical advice.

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