From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia BlackBerry thumb
BlackBerry thumb
BlackBerry thumb to use them for lengthy typing tasks, such as "writing
books."[5]
It is also important to consider that in the absence of
better evidence, such speculative preventative measures
risk stigmatizing hand use,[6] which can increase illness
behavior as seen in the Australian epidemic of repetitive
strain injury.[7]
Treatment
The recovery process from BlackBerry thumb can be
lengthy, and may involve curtailing or altogether elimi-
nating such use of a mobile device. In some extreme cas-
es, surgery may be necessary. Current surgical alterna-
tives include a tendon transfer whereby one of the bones
at the base of the thumb is removed and a coiled tendon
is put in its place as a cushion. For more advanced cas-
es of arthritis, the basal thumb joint can be replaced.[8]
However, recovery can be lengthy and outcomes optimal
only in patients who have low activity demands on the
thumb joint.
One alternative medicine treatment is prolotherapy.
Reeves has published a small randomized clinical trial
Overuse of the thumb to operate a mobile device may lead showing some efficacy.[9] Since surgery on small hand
to BlackBerry thumb joints with severe arthritis can be traumatic with pro-
tracted recovery, newer treatments are being developed.
BlackBerry thumb is a neologism that refers to a form of Mesenchymal stem cell transplants offer one possible so-
repetitive strain injury caused by the frequent use of the lution for cartilage replacement in damaged joints.[citation
thumbs to press buttons on PDAs, smartphones, or oth- needed] Some spas offer massages as a method of
er mobile devices. The name of the condition comes from cure.[10][11]
the BlackBerry, a brand of smartphones that debuted in
1999.[1] Part of the rationale is that the thumb does not
have the dexterity that the other four fingers have, and Alternative view
that it is especially common in those who use these de- The primary issue seems to be a misinterpretation or
vices for such activities at high speeds comparable to that an overinterpretation of the nociception (pain-related
of touch typing.[2] nerve signal) that can accompany arm use.[12] Nocicep-
Symptoms of BlackBerry thumb include aching and tion can stimulate our built-in "pain alarm," alerting us
throbbing pain in the thumb or sometimes other fingers to real or potential tissue damage; however, we learn to
and in the wrist.[3] Part of the syndrome of BlackBerry interpret and reassign these signals because most pains
thumb is disability of the hands.[4] are false alarms. For instance, in many contexts, activity-
related pain is seen as healthy: think yoga or other ath-
Prevention letic/exercise endeavors.
Common features of activity-related pains that have
Given the way mobile devices are constructed, particu- not received the attention they deserve include stress,
larly their small size, most users find it easiest and most job burnout or dissatisfaction, and secondary gain
tempting to use their thumbs to press the keys. (where a person benefits either directly or indirectly
Experts recommend that BlackBerry thumb can be from being ill).[13]
prevented by use of other fingers to press buttons on
handheld devices, and to vary which fingers are being
used. They also encourage owners of these devices not
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia BlackBerry thumb
References [8] Badia A, Sambandam SN (December 2006). "Total
joint arthroplasty in the treatment of advanced
[1] [1] stages of thumb carpometacarpal joint
[2] "BlackBerry Thumb: Real Illness or Just Dumb?". osteoarthritis". The Journal of Hand Surgery 31 (10):
Arthritis.webmd.com. 2005-01-26. 1605–14. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2006.08.008.
http://arthritis.webmd.com/news/20050126/ PMID 17145380.
BlackBerry-thumb-real-illness-just-dumb. [9] Reeves KD, Hassanein K (August 2000).
Retrieved 2010-05-18. "Randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled
[3] Joyce, Amy (2005-04-23). "For Some, Thumb Pain Is double-blind study of dextrose prolotherapy for
BlackBerry’s Stain". The Washington Post. osteoarthritic thumb and finger (DIP, PIP, and
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ trapeziometacarpal) joints: evidence of clinical
content/article/2005/04/22/ efficacy". Journal of Alternative and Complementary
AR2005042201739.html. Retrieved 2010-04-03. Medicine 6 (4): 311–20. doi:10.1089/
[4] "The Agony of ’BlackBerry Thumb’". Wired.com. 10755530050120673. PMID 10976977.
2005-10-21. http://www.wired.com/science/ [10] "Spa Offers Relief for ’BleckBarry Thumb’". ABC
discoveries/news/2005/10/69294. Retrieved News. 2005-12-22. http://abcnews.go.com/
2010-05-18. Technology/story?id=1430599. Retrieved
[5] Gordon, Serena (2008-06-15). "Beware the 2010-05-18.
’BlackBerry Thumb’". The Washington Post. [11] "New massage for "BleckBarry Thumb"?". MSNBC.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ 2006-11-13. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/
content/article/2008/06/15/ 15658927/. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
AR2008061500481.html. Retrieved 2010-04-03. [12] Ring D, Kadzielski J, Malhotra L, Lee SG, Jupiter JB
[6] Anthony S, Lozano-Calderon S, Ring D (March (February 2005). "Psychological factors associated
2008). "Stigmatization of repetitive hand use in with idiopathic arm pain". The Journal of Bone and
newspaper reports of hand illness". Hand 3 (1): Joint Surgery. American Volume 87 (2): 374–80.
30–3. doi:10.1007/s11552-007-9052-4. PMC 2528973. doi:10.2106/JBJS.D.01907. PMID 15687162.
PMID 18780117. [13] Karels CH, Bierma-Zeinstra SM, Burdorf A,
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/ Verhagen AP, Nauta AP, Koes BW (August 2007).
articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=2528973. "Social and psychological factors influenced the
[7] Ireland DC (June 1998). "Australian repetition course of arm, neck and shoulder complaints".
strain injury phenomenon". Clinical Orthopaedics Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 60 (8): 839–48.
and Related Research (351): 63–73. PMID 9646748. doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2006.11.012. PMID 17606181.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=BlackBerry_thumb&oldid=463338469"
Categories:
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Overuse injuries
• Mobile phone culture
• Ergonomics
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