Hand and arm injury - is this permanent (mobile phone related)

[tectonicplates]

Earlier this year I upgraded my phone to a phone that was too big for my hand. I was in pain from using it, and after two weeks I sent it back and went back to using my old phone.

But I feel like my hand (my dominant hand, so quite worried) has tightened up somehow? Mainly between my thumb and first finger. I can't open my thumb out as much compared to my other hand.

I saw an osteopath three times and it didn't make any difference (and I'm a huge fan of osteopaths - they've been amazing with all sorts of injuries but it didn't work this time).

I feel like it's got a lot worse in the last few weeks or so. Is it worth seeing another osteopath, or a physiotherapist? Or could this be arthritis caused by an injury? Should I see a doctor instead?

It's also hurting going up my arm, shoulder and shoulder blade area, which I'm sure can probably be sorted by an osteopath, but it's mainly my thumb that hurts.

What should I do?

By the way I do yoga twice a week, but this hasn't really helped either.

Also I've been noticing recently that my hand and wrist hurt when I'm using my phone, which wasn't the case before.

Ulnar nerve issues are common with heavy mobile phone use, especially when the phone is held with a bent arm, or the arm is leant on at the elbow.

One of the symptoms is 'trigger' finger, in which the forefinger and thumb can 'lock', leading to a sensation of stiffness, lack of mobility, and a feeling as if the digits have been dislocated somehow. Loss of sensation across the entire hand is common if the nerve is badly compressed.

I'd go to your GP and get it checked out. Fortunately with a change of habit, wearing a support, and gentle physio, symptoms usually relent and full feeling returns in time.

I had total loss of sensation in my ring and little finger, which incorporated most of the palm of my hand. I also had the common 'locking' of the thumb and forefinger, which while uncomfortable I wouldn't have described as outright painful. It took about six months to start to get the feeling back, and while it's not 100% almost two years on I have regained full use of the hand and digits. It flares up immediately if I try to browse my phone while holding it arm bent in front of my face, or if I lean on my elbow even for a few seconds.

Bumping for you as I don’t know the answer.

However with all injuries you need to rest them from the repetitive movements that caused the injury and do beneficial exercises (or rest them up totally) whatever the medical advice is.

I doubt you will be doing this so I’m inclined to think it don’t get better until you do.

What happens if you use the other hand? Or use a different digit to Tao the screen? What could you do to give the affected area a chance to recover from what sounds like a repetitive strain type injury.

I'd definitely recommend a physio. I'm also a great fan of my osteopath, and he's done some fantastic work, but I'm dealing with a suspected rotator cuff tear, and the physio has been much, much better at the targeted home exercises, and there was (some) improvement quite quickly.

Thanks everyone. I'll make a physio appointment. Luckily I also know of a great physiotherapist who I've seen for other stuff in the past.

I'm so pissed off with the mobile phone industry in general with the current size of phones. Surely this problem is affecting women far more than men, as we have smaller hands?

I got a musculo-skeletal disorder from exactly the same thing: my stupid, too-big phone that's made for men with massive hands like bear paws - and it was one of the smallest available that I could upgrade to.

I saw an NHS physio and, though I can't afford a new phone, I now only use it in 'one handed mode' (which minimises the display so it doesn't take up the full size of the screen) and use it exclusively with my non-dominant hand. I was mostly recovered after a few months and am now pretty much pain-free.

@Twopenny Thank you. I shall hold on to hope for your story. I've been looking for a smaller phone for ages but I can't find one!

I could of written your post a few weeks ago. Was totally convinced it was repetitive strain from using my phone. Had numerous massage sessions no relief and decided out of pure desperation to see my accupuncture lady, told her my issue she stuck a few pics in and I've had no issues since. Now I am trying to limit myself with using the phone but honestly I'm a new woman since the accupuncture. Hope you get sorted soon I know how awful the pain is

@TUGGY2006 Thanks for you reply. It sets my mind at rest to know that it's treatable.

Just coming back to report that I went to see a physiotherapist today, and it's already feeling a lot better, and she's given me some exercises to do to make it even better. Thanks everyone for your help :)

Wishing you a swift recovery, @tectonicplates!

Thank you! It went really well yesterday and I'm already feeling the difference today. She's given me some exercises to do, and I've got a follow up appointment booked for January.

If there's anyone else in the same situation as me, I highly recommend booking a physio appointment!