Increasing Smartphone Use Strains Fingers... Beware of 'Finger Arthritis'

Published 23 Apr.2022 21:06(KST)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chunhee] The number of patients complaining of finger arthritis caused by excessive use of smartphones, computers, and other devices is gradually increasing.

Finger arthritis is a condition where the cartilage in the finger joints wears down, causing the bones to rub against each other and trigger an inflammatory response. It mainly occurs at the base of the thumb and the end and middle joints of the fingers.

It most commonly occurs due to overuse of the finger joints. When gripping an object with the whole hand, the force is distributed evenly across the palm, but when gripping with the fingertips, the force concentrates on the finger tips, causing excessive strain. Previously, this condition was common among professions that use their fingers extensively, such as housewives, farmers, beauticians, writers, or pianists, but as the use of electronic devices like smartphones and computers has become widespread, it has become a common disease among the general public as well.

In the early stages, the fingers may swell and hurt, but the pain often disappears after moving the fingers, so the onset may go unnoticed. However, if left untreated, the pain worsens, and if accompanied by a sensation of heat, blisters, or protruding joints, finger arthritis should be suspected. If symptoms worsen, joint deformity may occur, requiring surgery to remove the joint surface or insert an artificial joint.

To prevent this, it is essential to reduce excessive use of electronic devices and hand labor. Adequate rest, protein intake, and finger stretching are also helpful. Especially for those who use keyboards frequently, regularly performing finger spreading stretches is recommended. The common habit of cracking finger joints when the hands feel stiff should be avoided, as it can accelerate arthritis or cause joint deformity.

If arthritis has already developed, complete recovery is difficult. However, if detected early, non-surgical treatments such as paraffin therapy or physical therapy can reduce pain. When pain is severe despite medication or physical therapy, PDRN (DNA) injections may be administered. PDRN, a DNA fragment injection isolated from the germ cells of trout and salmon, is effective in reducing pain and promoting tissue regeneration.