Time spent on our smart phone is bad for our eyes and sleep, but it could also be bad for our hands.
Despite the lack of studies on the subject, French doctors have noticed that patients with certain pathologies, such as premature osteoarthritis of the thumb, are getting younger and younger. They suspect the intensive use of smartphones, which push its users to “scroll”, “swipper”, write and type for hours.
Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear on the cartilage of the joints, which can cause varying degrees of pain, stiffness and swelling. The one that affects the thumb is also called rhizarthrosis.
Over time, the disease may progress, and a significant deformity of the thumb may occur, the bone may take the form of a “Z”.
The smartphone in question?
In 2016, a study conducted by a British telephone operator highlighted the anatomical changes that could be caused by the use of smartphones. However, this was considered not very serious, because it had been carried out with few users (2000).
“The causal link between the daily and repeated use of telephones and joint pathologies is something that is debated”, declared Aurélien Aumar, orthopedic surgeon specialized in the hand to the French media “20 minutes”.
He estimates that to determine with certainty that cell phones damage the fingers of young people, “it would take a cohort of 1,000 people aged 16 to 26 who would be followed over 30 years”.
However, he confirms that the age of patients suffering from osteoarthritis is decreasing more and more: “We used to say that this disease mainly affected women over 55 years of age. Today, 15 to 20% of patients are men over the age of 45”.
To continue to take advantage of his cell phone without being afraid of deforming his fingers, the surgeon simply recommends reducing his use or opting for the hands-free kit from time to time.